Wayne………………Kennedy Highschool came to play! They got a great scoring game from Senior Shondell Stewart. They played tenacious defense from end line to end line and they showed no fear. But they weren’t Buster Douglas and Paterson Catholic was not Mike Tyson. Because in the end the superior talent of the Cougars won out as they captured the Passaic County Tournament championship for the third consecutive year with a 80-61 triumph over a game,but overmatched Kennedy team. Paterson Catholic was led by Junior Myles Mack, who scored 14 of his 20 points in the 2nd half when the Cougars lost Senior Fuquan Edwin most of the last two quarters with a foot injury. Mack(#2) added 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals in the contest. Edwin scored all 14 of his points in the 1st half, before being injured early in the 2nd half. Five people scored in double figures for PC, with the most impressive being the all around play of 6’7  Kyle Anderson(right with Mack). The sophomore seemed to be involved in every play as his 18 point, 12 rebound, 8 assist performance proved. Junior Derrick Randall added 12 points,6 rebounds and 5 blocked shots and intimidated a number of looks by the Knights. Senior Jayon James(left with Mack) had the task of trying to control the lethal Stewart, but more importantly controlled the game offensively, showing the unselfishness that is the key to what makes PC what they are. James scored 11 points and dished out 8 assists. The praise of Paterson Catholic in no means can minimize the play of Kennedy H.S. Shondell Stewart had moments of brilliance scoring 30 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. He never gave in , challenging the size of PC and getting 10 points from the foul line. Kennedy made a run early in the 3rd quarter, cutting a 14 point lead down to 8, 50-42. Two things happened to stall the run. Junior Dawon Lighty( 13 pts,2 stls), who was doing a good job getting to the basket and hitting open shots picked up his 4th foul and Mack picked up his game. His three point shot and feed to Anderson off a steal calmed down the Knights run. Junior Zahir Young played a solid game for Kennedy with 6 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. It must be noted that Kennedy is still without the services of Senior Daquere Hayes (fainting spell) and it’s still not known whether he will be back. The Knights will now prepare for the States, where they will meet Ridgewood H.S. The Knights should come in with alot of confidence, knowing they competed hard with Paterson Catholic. The Cougars play Thursday against the winner of Montclair Immaculate vs. Morristown Beard winner. There sights are even higher, hoping to become the areas  first T.O.C. champion.The County championship was heard on 1500am!

                 Paterson Catholic and Kennedy H.S.  will face each other for the Passaic County Tournament Championship. PC comes in with an undefeated record, a national ranking and the chance to win the tournament for the third consecutive year. Kennedy will face PC for the second consecutive year in the championship game. Paterson Catholic got here by defeating DePaul H.S. 79-38 while Kennedy beat Wayne Valley H.S. 72-64 in overtime.

 

 

 

The Deal On Each Team:

 

PATERSON CATHOLIC:

Strength………… This is a talented deep team that has a chance to do something historic this season. The Cougars have done a good job of playing one game at a time and not looking too far ahead. They are led by seniors Fuquan Edwin and Jayon James. Edwin(right), the 6’5 Seton Hall recruit can score as quickly as anyone in the state as he can go on a personal 10-0 run against teams. an underrated defender, Edwin has evolved from a player who played inside as a freshman to a versatile swingman who can score inside and outside as a senior. James,(middle) the 6’5  Fordham recruit is the key to what PC does as his unselfishness and willingness to distribute the rock has been the main reason that the Cougars are undefeated. Tough to handle when able to get in the lane. 5’9 Junior Myles Mack(bottom) is a mistake free guard who can knock it down from deep or get to the basket with his quickness. Has improved defensively and will pick your pocket if you sleep! His ability to stay calm in crucial moments is why he is one of the best clutch players in the State.6’7  Sophomore Kyle Anderson is ranked in the top 25 nationally and has had a great year showing a consistent game. He has improved his perimeter game and stuffs the stat sheet in every category. One of the smartest players in the area.6’9 Junior Derrick Randall is the glue for PC defensively. Has the ability to make up for mistakes of teammates. A great shot blocker who is getting better at finishing around the basket, Randall is a freakish athlete, who can run and jump with anyone. 6’4 Senior Jermaine Peart,6’6 senior Trevor Clemmings and 5’10 junior Jahmir White round out the core of Paterson Catholic’s rotation. They are so deep that highly ranked freshman Reggie Cameron, who gets sporadic minutes could start for most teams in the area.

 

 

Weakness………..Not many as far as a highschool team goes. Sometimes can try to do too much, instead of making the easy play. Loses their intensity defensively at times, though leading  by so many points can do that. Have showed no signs of selfishness and if they can keep that out of the lockeroom will not only when County tournament, but have legitimate shot of winning Tournament of Championship.

 

 

KENNEDY H.S. :

 

Strength…………..6’2  Senior Shondell Stewart is a scorer and this is not just saying it. He is a calculator and can score 20 in a quarter! Stewart(#22) has a deadly 3 point shot and can get to the rim against anybody. He will need help from 6’2 Junior Dawon Lighty(#5), who also has the ability to put up big numbers. 5’10 Senior point guard Zahir Young is one of the best defensive players in the area and he will have to put his stamp on the game in that capacity. A good penetrator who will need to get in the paint to open up looks for Stewart and Lighty. 6’4 Senior Jaemille Barnes has been the biggest surprise of the season. A very good athlete with a strong will to rebound and defend. 6’1 Sophomore Sammy Singletary is an underrated  offensive player who can knock down the open shot. Kennedy is a very good defensive team!

 

 

Weakness…………… The loss of 5’11 Senior point guard Daquere Hayes has been the biggest factor of the season for the Knights. He was the glue to their team and has been missed tremendously. Kennedy has a habit of going into scoring droughts and can’t afford to have one against the Cougars. Will need someone besides Stewart to go off. It will take alot for the Knights to pull this off. But thats why they play the games!

 Eastern Christian senior guard David Rainville hit a milestone against rival Saddle Brook H.S.! With 4:30 left in the game Rainville connected on 2 free throws to reach the 1,000 point total for his career. Rainville finished with 13 points to lead the Eagles to a 48-40 victory. Rainville still has a couple of games left to add to his total. Hoops Journal would like to congratulate Rainville on his outstanding accomplishment and much success in the future.

           In a series of player profiles, Hoop Journal sat down with Ridgewood highschool senior swingman James Albano. Though Ridgewood is having a sub par season no one can fault Albano, who is averaging  over 20 points a game and can stroke the rock with the best in the area.

 

 

Fun Facts:          HGT: 6’5         WGT: 200

 

 

Nickname : “Bano”

 

 

AGE:  18                                 D.O.B. :   October 13, 1991

 

 

Parents :   Jim      and     Patrice  Albano

 

 

 

Siblings:    Joseph  13

 

 

 

Who Inspires You (non basketball)  :  My  Parents

 

 

 

 

 

 Favorite Basketball Team :  New York Knicks

 

 

 

 

Favorite Basketball Player :  Patrick Ewing

 

 

 

 

Favorite Alltime Sneaker  :    Hyperdunk by  Nike

 

 

 

 

Favorite Artist :  ” Jay-Z”

 

 

 

 

Hottest Song On Ipod :   Forever - by:   Drake

 

 

 

 

Highschool Goals :     Want To Leave School Being Remembered

 

 

 

 

Future Goals :  Play In College and Hopefully Play Professionally Overseas

 

 

 

 

Something People Would Be Surprised To Know About You :      Love To Cook

 

 

 

Favorite College Team :  Kansas University

 

 

What Schools Are Interested In You Or You Are Interested In? :    D3 Schools,  such as Gettysburg, Muhlenberg, Catholic and McDaniel College.

                    Fort Lee’s Sandy Burgos became the 14th player in the Passaic/Bergen area to score 2,000 career points. Burgos got his 2,000th on a free throw with 30 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter. He finished the contest with 31 points and finished the game tied with DePaul H.S. guard Justin Crosgile with 2,010 career points who has moved on to St. Joseph University. Burgos has a couple more games left in his career. Hoop Journal would like to congratulate Burgos on his outstanding achievement and career and hope for big things in the future!

Teaneck……………In 1976 Paramus Catholic won their first and only Jamboree championship against Englewood H.S. The only problem was they won taking a loss. Englewood actually won the game , but gave it back in order to be eligible for the State championship, so PC was given the chip. This time was different as Paramus Catholic (pictured)won their first Bergen County Jamboree “chip”on the court 59-54 at the Rothman Center in Teaneck! The game was as good as advertised with both teams putting a stamp on the game at certain moments. The 1st half was dictated by Paramus Catholic’ s pressure defense as they forced Bergen Catholic into turnovers and created a little more chaos on the floor than B.C. wanted. Paramus Catholic closed the half with a 30-22 lead, which seemed like it should have been more. Bergen Catholic put their stamp on the game in the 3rd as they completely dominated P.C. on the boards, at one point getting 7 putbacks on one offensive possession. They finally tied the game 37-37  with 51.8 seconds in the 3rd on a Eric Flanagan free throw. Bergen then took their first lead of the game 38-37  on a Mark Richards free throw to end the 3rd. The 4th quarter needed someone from one of the teams to step up, and Junior Manny Hernandez (pictured left)decided to be that guy. Hernandez scored 12 of his 17 points in the quarter, including 3 free throws after getting fouled on a three point shot. The free throws gave Paramus Catholic the lead for good 47-46.Hernandez and Junior Justin Harris then made free throws late to seal it. Paramus Catholic win was a complete team effort as Senior Andre Blackwood finished with 13 points (11 in the 1st half) and 4 steals, Harris had 10 points and 11 rebounds, Senior Brandon Perez scored 8 points, including two big threes in the contest and Senior Jordan Wade had 6 points, 3 steals and was an instrumental part down the stretch defensively. He came up with a huge steal late. Bergen Catholic had nothing to hold their heads down for as they proved what kind of gritty team they are. They outrebounded Paramus Catholic 38-29 as they were led by Junior Mark Richards with 15 points and 9 rebounds and Eric Flanagan with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Senior Doug Rigg (7 pts, 9rebs) and Junior Maurice Grant (5 pts, 8 rebs), Sophomore Charles Wingate( 6pts, 3 stls) and Senior Sean McGuire (7 asts.) all distinguished themselves at times. In the end Paramus Catholic proved they did have what it takes to get it done! And this time on the court.

Teaneck……….. Paramus Catholic H.S. and Bergen Catholic H.S. will go at it Monday February 22nd at the Fairleigh Dickinson University Rothman Center gymnasium at 7:00pm. Paramus Catholic was the 4th seed in the tournament and beat the #1 seed St. Joseph H.S. 69-62 in the semis. Bergen Catholic was seeded #7 and reached the Championship game by beating #6 seed Don Bosco Prep 53-50.

 

The Deal On The Teams:

 

 

Paramus Catholic :

Strength :………….Have two D1 type players in 6’0 Senior guard Andre Blackwood(pictured) and 6’8 Junior center Justin Harris. A team with good depth, can go 10 deep without it affecting the squad, but need Blackwood or Harris in the game to stabilize the lineup as they are the go to players. Good team speed, led by Junior Manny Hernandez and Senior Brandon Perez and best bet would be to push the ball against the slower Bergen Catholic team. Have good defenders in Senior’s Jordan Wade and Eddie Johnson and tough guys in the paint in Senior’s Aiden Collins and Johnberry Badio, which could be the difference in the game if they compete equally on the boards with the Crusaders.

 

Weakness:……………… Maybe in trouble if game is played slow and gets to be a halfcourt battle. Harris should be able to get his in the paint, but if Bergen doubles down will need someone besides Blackwood to hit shots from the perimeter. Who would that be? Half to be smart in their substitution pattern.

 

 

 

Bergen Catholic :

Strength:……………. A physically strong team that makes you play grimey. If you fall into the trap, you’re done! Runs the flex offense as well as anyone. Led by 6’4 Junior center Mark Richard(pictured), who is slowly expanding his game, he gets his help inside from West Virginia football recruit 6’1 Senior Doug Rigg and 6’3 Junior Zach Sparber off the bench. Strong backcourt play from 5’10 Senior Sean McGuire and Sophomore guard Charles Wingate. Perimeter shooting comes from Junior Eric Flanagan, one of the better three shooters in the area. Junior Maurice Grant may be best athlete on squad.

 

 

Weakness:……… Have trouble with quickness and speed. Will need to find another perimeter shooter to go with Flanagan. Besides the guards, the other players sometimes get out of control when putting ball on the floor. Game needs to stay in the 50 point range. Will have trouble if game gets in high 60′s or 70′s

Teaneck………….Junior Manny Hernandez (right)came off the bench to spark Paramus Catholic to a 69-62 victory over St. Joseph H.S. in the semifinals of the Bergen County Jamboree. Hernandez scored 21 points and added 4 assists, but more importantly played a tremendous defensive game accounting for 5 steals against St. Joe’s. Senior Andre Blackwood(top right) scored 19 points and made 11 of 12 free throws. He also grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 5 assists. 6’8 Junior Justin Harris added 12 points and 8 rebounds and 5’7 guard Brandon Perez(top left) scored 12. They overcame the 24 point effort by Senior Kai Dominguez for St. Joseph and the 14 point, 11 rebound and 4 steal game by 6’3 Senior Tony Efese. Paramus Catholic fell behind by as much as 11 points in the 3rd, but behind the defense of  Hernandez PC tied the game early in the 4th on a three point play by Perez on a steal by Hernandez. Perez then returned the favor by turning a steal into an Hernandez layup to put Paramus Catholic ahead 52-50. St. Joe’s didn’t get it’s first field goal of the quarter until 4:20 remained and P.C. held them off down the stretch. Senior Mike Marchman had 9 points and Senior Alex Aitkens finished with 8 for St. Joseph. Paramus Catholic will play Bergen Catholic in the finals