It almost started with a shocking upset, but experience down the stretch gave Teaneck H.S. a 60-57 win over Passaic County Tech in a tremendous battle to kick off the season. The Bulldogs were game and ready to go in front of their home crowd as they forced Teaneck into a back yard brawl. The Highwaymen had to withstand a couple of runs before finally winning at the end. Teaneck was led by senior point guard Owen Barnes who finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and a blocked shot. Kyle Steinbergin had 13 points including what proved to be the game winner. Jonathan Blue chipped in 10 points and 5 rebounds and Travon King added  7 points and a game high 8 rebounds. Tech got a big game from Xavier( Yellowhead) Nieves with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.  Point guard Brandon James added 10 points, 4 assists and 2 steals. After going into the fourth quarter tied at 44, P.C.T. went on a 7-0 run to seemingly take control of the game. That’s when Teaneck’s experience took over and the young Tech team got a little overwhelmed. A steal and dunk by King and a three by Steinbergin cut the lead to 2 while Tech had opportunities at the foul line but could only convert 2 out of 4 from the stripe. A backcourt violation against Tech set the stage for Steinbergin. Coming off a pick, He drilled a three with a minute left to make it 58-57. After another turnover by the Bulldogs, Chris Jones was fouled where he calmly sank his only points of the game with 5 seconds left.                     

Notes:  After a sluggish beginning, Teaneck got a lot of energy from Brandon Davis and particularly Justin Hodge off the bench. They combined for 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 steals. Both are lockdown defenders. Teaneck will have to play better and more consistent on Sunday against Kennedy H.S. at Ramapo College. Passaic Tech can take some  pride in the fact that they gave one of the best teams in northern N.J. all they could handle and reality being told should have won this game. Think they have found a star in Nieves. Terrell McDuffie was a solid on the ball defender all night. Also contributed 3 treys from deep.

                                                 Other Scores: 

Don Bosco Prep 59       St. Joe’s   50                         

Vaughn Gray   31                Tony Efese   19

Gary Nova   12                       Kai Dominguez  11

DePaul  53                     Bergen Catholic 49

Matthew Miller  19        Eric Flanagan   15

Passaic Valley  63               Ridgewood  59   2ots

Dom Coiro 19                         James Albano  18

Nick Dicristina  17               Jack Simmons  18

Paramus Catholic 87             Pascack Hills  59

Andre Blackwood  21              Cole Dorfman  15

Justin Harris    12                                                              

Fort Lee  60                                   Tenafly     57

Sandy Burgos  39                   Chris Orozco  28

Englewood   74                      Westwood   63

Zachary Anderson 31                Ricky Moore   26 

            The 2009-2010 basketball highschool basketball season is about to begin for the Bergen and Passaic County area. Friday the athlete’s lace them up one more time as there are a few interesting storylines as the season starts. The # 1 question this year is probably just how much better can the Paterson Catholic team be this year and can they finally win a tournament of champions title. After getting over the hump last year by defeating St. Anthony’s in the state semis the Cougars made a great run before being beaten by eventual T.O.C. champions St. Patrick’s. The only key player missing from last year is Fordham University recruit Lance Brown who will be missed, but spent alot of last year injured. Question #2 will be can Teaneck H.S. be able to defend it’s Bergen County Jamboree championship after losing their heart and soul player in Javae King-Gilchrist. Are the younger players ready to take over? Question #3 is how much will the extra year given to Tyshawn Pickett help Passaic H.S. become one of the powers of Northern New Jersey. Question #4 is how much will the loss of All Passaic County players Karon Abraham, Dave West and Bryant Lewis hurt the Eastside Ghosts as they helped them advance to the finals of the Group 4 State championship last year. Question #5 is what kind of teams will perennial powers  Bergen Catholic, Don Bosco Prep and St. Joseph’s H.S. put on the floor this season. Question #6 is the best question. What team will quietly rise above the rest that we are not aware of yet? Could it be Paramus Catholic or Hackensack? Or how about Wayne Valley, Depaul, Passaic Valley or Englewood? Who ever it is  Hoop Journal will be there to give as much coverage as possible! Let The Season Begin!

                                                     Hoops Journal Pre Season Top 20

#1 Paterson Catholic –      Loaded! Seton Hall recruit Fuquan Edwin and fellow seniors Jayon James and Jermaine Peart hope to finish careers with T.O.C. chip, which won’t be easy with St. Patricks H.S. lurking. Juniors Myles Mack and Derrick Randall and Sophomore Kyle Anderson will help fulfill the dream. All Passaic County football star Trevor Clemmings will also contribute. Keep an eye on the future of the program with up and coming freshman Kavon Stewart and Reggie Cameron as the season progresses.

#2 Teaneck-     Kyle Steinbergin,Jonathan Blue and Owen Barnes hope to defend their Jamboree title with the help of Chris Jones and N.Y. transfer Travon King, a guard in the paint. The Highwaymen are deep with Brandon Davis and Justin Hodge also ready to contribute. You always know Coach Curtis March will have them playing hard. 

#3 Passaic-    Will be a force with the return of Tyshawn Pickett and Najee Salaam. Need solid play from guard Shakir Rhodes and are always good for a extra win or two because of Coach Ken Slappy.

#4 Don Bosco Prep-  Are this high because they have Bergen County’s best player in 6’5 swingman Vaughn Gray. Also a quality guard in sophomore Yuri Wright. Will get good shooting from D.B.P. championship quarterback Gary Nova. Freshman forward D.J. Foreman will contribute more as season progresses.

#5  Kennedy-  They are ranked this high because of the explosiveness of senior guard Shondell Stewart, Hoop Journal Passaic County player of the year last year. He will get help from Sr. Daquere Hayes and Jr. Dawon Lighty. Key is going to be guard play of  Zahir Young.

#6 Paramus Catholic-   This should be the year that Paramus Catholic breaks out. Guard Andre Blackwood is one of the best in northern N.J. and Jr. Justin Harris has division 1 potential. They will need help from jr. Manny Hernandez and Sr.’s Johnberry Badio, Brandon Perez and Jordan Wade.

#7 Bergen Catholic-    Senior Sean McGuire will lead the Crusaders. He will get help from the perimeter from Jr. Eric Flanagan and post help from West Virginia football recruit Doug Rigg.

#8 St. Joseph –  Senior  Kai Dominguez will lead  Joe’s with his perimeter shooting. The guard strong Green Knights will also have Alex Aitkens and Mike Marchman. Key is who steps up in the middle.

#9 Hackensack-  The talented Comets will go as far as guard Alex George takes them. Can shoot with the best of them. Bright Mensah is a strong swingman and Tarik Bridgeman will maintain the middle. Strong defensive team led by sr. guard Mark Ellison. Pint size freshman Chris Myers will contribute at the point.

#10 Eastside-  Terrell Spaulding, Chris Albuquerque, Allen Dantzler and Travon Johnson with the addition of  transfer Janif Green will try to make up for the l0st of State champ guards Karon Abraham, Dave West and Bryant Lewis.

#11 Wayne Valley-   Super point Jason Rosenberg and swingman Nick Siljee will take on the responsibility of getting Valley past some of the Passaic County big boys.

#12 Passaic Valley-  Dom Coiro is a steady guard who can count on contributions from  Jr. Nick Dicristina and Sr. Mike Governali. Coach Rob Carcich is one of the best in the area.

#13 Englewood-  They should be back behind sharpshooter Zach Anderson. 6’7 Greg Francisco  and sleeper Brandon Lee will surprise. Point guard play will be the key.

#14  Elmwood Park-  Division 1 prospect Ryan Belisle will need to bring it every night for E.P. Jr guard Ryan Velez is their best returning shooter.

#15 Old Tappan –   Shane McLaughlin is a strong point guard with Rosenberg type attributes. They will go as far as he takes them.

#16 DePaul – Can be better than this ranking if guard Mike Miller and Wally Sajimi, swingman Davon Jacobs and forward Keith Ford play up to their capabilities. Do not sleep on freshman guard Josh Marquez.Will miss Hoop Journal Player of the Year Justin Crosgile a bunch

#17 Dwight -Englewood-  Senior A.J. Redmond and sophomore Wesley Dickerson are ready to shock Bergen County and the duo are more than capable of making happen. Junior Zach Hodges will also be a pleasant surprise.

#18 Ramapo-  Will miss Eric Halejian but hope to fill the void  with seniors R.J. Voorman, Henry Borgeson and Don Fletcher.

#19 Manchester-   They will go as far as Taquese Franklin takes them. Interested in play of guard Amani Dyer.

#20 Passaic County Tech-    Guard Brandon James has the potential to be a very good point guard. Will have big shoes to fill with the loss of  All Hoop Journal player Maynard Freeman. Will get much help from Xavier Nieves.

    After 2 months of exciting basketball the Paterson Fallball “09” Basketball league came to it’s conclusion with four semifinal games and two championship games! It resulted in chips for Bloomfield Tech, who won the Monday night league and Paterson Catholic, who earned the Wednesday night championship. Bloomfield Tech pulled it off by first beating Hudson Catholic 44-37 in the semis behind the play of Kevin Philemon who scored 16 points. Hudson Catholic was led by Raekwon Kelly with 15. Tech then met up with Gill St. Bernard who upset #1 seeded Eastside H.S. 47-46 on a three point shot by Alex Mottola at the buzzer after Chris Albuquerque had put Eastside ahead with a three of his own. Jaren Sina led Gill St. Bernard in the game with 20 points while Eastside was led by Janif Green’s 17. In the championship game Bloomfield Tech was again led by Philemon who scored 11 points and made all the big plays as they cruised past Gill St. Bernards 52-32. Philemon was named M.V.P. #1 seed Paterson Catholic grinded their way to the chip by first beating C.J.E.O.T.O 81-74 behind a great effort by Kyle Anderson who knocked down 27 points and Derrick Randall who added 15.  They had to overcome the shooting of C.J.E.O.T.O.’s Sean Armand  who scored 27, including six treys and Kievyn Lila who dropped in 17 points. In the chip they met up with New York’s Rice H.S. who got there by beating Paterson’s Kennedy H.S. 61-47 as Jermaine Sanders led the way with 15 points. Shondel Stewart led Kennedy with 17. Paterson Catholic was led by Seton Hall recruit Fuquan Edwin, who came out fast in scoring 25 points to lead them to a 82-71 win. the Cougars also got big contributions from Myles Mack with 20 points and Jayon James who added 12. Anderson was voted the M.V.P. Rice was led by Emanuel Andujar with 16 points.