Kennedy Highschool, Paterson, N.J………..The talent was flowing at Kennedy Highschool as the Paterson Recreation sponsored Fall League began! Four games were played tonite and each was a heated affair! The highlight of the evening was Top 4 recruit Kyle Anderson getting a surprise as Seton Hall’s fans of about 30 people came out and cheered Anderson’s every move as The Hall are in the final running for Anderson’s service ( along with Florida, St. John’s, Georgetown and U.C.L.A.) and their fans were more than willing to let him know how much they want him! After a slow start Anderson(top right) showed why he is so highly recruited! He led the scoring with 16 and basically controlled the game as his Reebok Back team beat Somerset County’s Best 52-39! Somerset got 19 points from Alabama commit Jaren Sina who drained 5 “triples”! Other games featured Hudson Hawks against Bergen Highwaymen, Paterson Spirits against Paramus Paladins and The Gray Bees pitted against St. Raymonds! The Hawks beat the Highwaymen 78-69 and Mike Young(18pts), Reggie Cameron(16pts), Kavon Stewart(13 pts) and Grant Ellis(13 pts) all scored in double figures  to offset the hot shooting of Chris Jones(left)who scored 30 points and Joel Hernandez’s who scored 17 points! Paramus Paladins beat the Paterson Spirits 28-26 as Kyle Menard scored 24 of Paramus 28 points! Paterson was led by DeAndre Noble’s 13 points! St. Raymonds squeezed by The Gray Bees 53-49 as Daniel Dingle(Bottom Right) scored 17 points, while Tariq Carey led the Gray Bees with 12! Monday’s four games consist of Englewood Force vs. Hawthorne Defenders, Silk City Knights vs. Essex County Raiders, Union City Players vs. Essex Terriors and Bergen Comets vs. Sparta Minutemen!

Paterson, N.J………..The Paterson Recreation ran by Playaz Basketball Club coordinator Jimmy Salmon will begin their Fall League season beginning Wednesday and having games on Monday and Wednesday during the month of September and October at Kennedy Highschool in Paterson! The league consists of a multitude of  talent from around the area! The talent level will be led by Rivals #4 ranked player in the country, St. Anthony senior Kyle Anderson(pictured right)! Anderson’s teammates,Senior’s Jerome Frink and Jimmy Hall will also be on the floor during the Fall League action! Other top seniors in the League will be Teaneck’s Chris Jones and Neville Fincher, Gill St. Bernards Dominic Hoffman, Eastside’s DeAndre Noble, Paramus Catholic’s Vaughn Dudley,Hudson Catholic’s Grant Ellis,Kennedy’s Sammy Singletary, St. Raymond’s of New York’s Daniel Dingle and Nkereuwem Okoro!There is also a star studded class of underclassmen that will be playing led by  Hudson Catholic’s Juniors Reggie Cameron, Kavon Stewart and Mike Young! Also in the league will be St. Anthony’s Josh Brown and Chris Regus, Gill St. Bernard’s Jaren Sina, Teaneck’s Joel Hernandez, Paramus Catholic’s Kyle Merard, Eastside’s Quaddir Smith, Hawthorne Christian’s Alex Thomas and Hackensack’s Rashard Figures, Chris Myers and Corey Brown to name a few! It should also be interesting to see some of the top freshman that will be playing in the League such as St. Benedict’s Isaiah Briscoe, Hudson Catholic’s Nassir Barrino and Paramus Catholic’s Marquel Sheffield! Just proves the high quality of basketball that will be on display! Wednesday’s games pit Reebok’s Back vs. Somerset Counties Best and The Gray Bees vs. St. Raymonds at 7:00pm then will have Hudson Hawks vs. Bergen Highwaymen and Paterson Spirits vs. Paramus Paladins! Stay with NJ Hoops-Journal for up to date reports regarding the Fall League!!!!!

         Darrick Wood, the talented senior swingman from NIA Prep and The Playaz Basketball Club has committed to St.John’s University! Wood is a 6’4 athletic wing who can get to the basket and jump over a defender or knock down the “triple”! Darrick chose the Red Storm over U.S.C., Oklahoma State, Seton Hall, Penn State and Virginia Tech among others! Playaz director Jim Salmon said ” D had a great month of July! He proved to everyone that was paying attention that he was a high major recruit”! When talking to Wood his reasoning for his choice was the Johnnies” fit his style of play as it’s  hard nosed and rugged” which despite his slender frame is how he is  accustomed to playing! Darrick also was impressed with the campus as in his opinion it’s not too big or small and much greener than expected! “Thought it was going to be more concrete and city like but was impressed by all the grass” Wood explained! Probably the most important factor is the fact that St.John’s coaching staff has all had experience in the League! Wood said ” I was very impressed by that”! Darrick will complete his senior season, but has not committed to finishing his last year at NIA! ” I haven’t made that decision just yet” Wood said! Whatever the outcome, Hoop Journal would like to congratulate Darrick and his family on the decision and hope for nothing but the best in the future!