Javae Gilchrest has been given clearance to play right away at Teaneck Highschool. The former Queen of Peace star was allowed to play after transferring due to financial issues with the school.Looks like for once the right thing was done. Gilchrest arrival helps Teaneck make up for the loss of guards Chris Diaz and Walter Farrior.
The fall basketball league at Kennedy Highschool gave a peak preview of some of the northern N.J. teams heading into the 08-09 basketball season. The two division groups consisted of some of the top teams in the area as Paterson Catholic, Eastside, Kennedy,Don Bosco Prep,Teaneck, Paramus Catholic and Hackensack were a few of the teams that participated. Division A was won by Paterson Catholic as they beat Edison Prep 67-54 behind game m.v.p. Lance Brown who led them with 25 points. Ian Umpierre (21pts. 5treys) was the player of the game for the runner ups. The Division B championship belong to St. Peters Prep, who defeated Teaneck H.S. 43-39. Miles Davis was game m.v.p., while Javae Gilchrist was the runner up player of the game. The play throughout the 8 weeks was both intense and tough as teams were trying to establish what kind of unit they would be for the upcoming season. Players who were established highschool stars such as Karon Abraham(Eastside),Dave Robertson(Eastside),Fuquan Edwin(Pat.Cath.), Jayon James(Pat. Cath.), Shondell Stewart(Kennedy),Daquier Hayes(Kennedy), Javae Gilchrist(Tea.),Andre Blackwood(Par.Cath.)and Brown(Pat. Cath.) had to work hard to maintain their status, as up and coming players such as Miles Mack (Pat. Cath.),Vaughn Gray(D.B.P.),Brandon Beckford(D.B.P.),Kenny Click(D.B.P.),Alex George(Hack.),Shomari Barber(Tea.), Jermaine Peart(Pat. Cath.),Justin Harris(Par. Cath.)Manny Hernandez(Par. Cath.)and Isaiah Suber(Manchester H.S.) more than held their own. Miles Mack in particular, is a special player who seems ready to bust out this season.Vaughn Gray and Brandon Beckford will be looked upon to keep the winning ways that Don Bosco Prep has been use to. The fall league did what any person who loves highschool basketball would want. Wet the whistle and make you thirst for more.
The seventh annual Playaz blowup tournament was as good as the hype. It especially worked out for the Playaz 13 and 14 year old teams. Each pulled out a championship as the 14’s beat a very strong Team Philly squad that was impressive all weekend and the 13’s got a measure of revenge against the powerful D.C.Assault team that just recently beat them in Washington D.C. a couple weeks ago. The 12 year old chip was won by the N.Y.C. Gauchos, who’s team looks like they will be competing for a national title. They beat the N.J. Pirates of Carteret with outstanding full court pressure and impressive offensive performances from Sean Jones (24pts)and m.v.p. Malichi Richardson(18pts), who drained five triples. The Playaz 13’s was a display of teamwork and balance led by m.v.p. Matt Johnson(10pts,6asts.) ,who showed floor leadership all weekend. He got alot of help from all tournament performers Reggie Cameron(16pts), Josh Marquez and Kavon Stewart plus moments of shine from Chris Regus and Najee Ricks.D.C. Assault got strong play from guard Melo Trumbull, E.J. Levenberg and Tre Bourne.The 14 year old game was filled with moments from both teams as the momentum constantly changed from team to team.Team Philly showcased their two tremendous players in Amil Jefferson and Andre Horne, as well as point guard Leron Davis. The Playaz team was led by Kyle Anderson, Miles Davis and Montana Mayfield(mvp). They got plenty of help from Nafee Lighty, Dallas Anglin and Davon Williams. All of these kids showed signs of being elite players eventually, if they continue to work hard on their games. Once again, the Playaz Blowup lived up to expectations and more!
