Good Afternoon Basketball fans:

Lots to say in the next few days. But in the meantime here is an old story done by The Rutgers Board with me when I was actually accepted there lol. Honestly I am a RU Fan as well as SHU and even SJU despite feeling they have more internal work to do than people realize.  So sit back and enjoy this question and answer with me and see how far RU has come since this was done a few years back.

Talking hoops with LFBall

 by On the Banks on Mar 2, 2009 7:08 AM EST

 

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I'll admit that I'm not much of a basketball guy. So to get the perspective of someone who follows all three metro Big East programs closely, I sought out LFBall, who was kind enough to give his take on few questions about Rutgers basketball. His blog is a must-read for anyone interested in Rutgers, Seton Hall, amd St. John's basketball, or college basketball in general.

1. First, for any readers that aren't familiar with you from your blog or from Rivals, can you briefly describe your background in basketball?

Thanks for asking this. Many folks think I am just a guy writing stuff to just write. My background includes playing HS basketball on a team that went to the NYC HS semi finals where I was all Manhattan and honorable mention All City. I played Junior College basketball where I was part of the All Region Team and team captain. I also played at a small NAIA school in West Virginia called Davis and Elkins College where I was a two year starter. After my last college game I never played again! Started coaching in the NYC Rucker Tournament where I coached and worked out alot of future pros and D1 college players. I coached the Dyckman Program run by Mr. Jim Couch for over 20 years! I also had the pleasure to be the lead assistant coach at Westchester Community College (Where Jarid Famous now attends) responsible for recruitment workouts, and game coaching. Our teams went to 3 NJCAA Tournaments in Hutchinson Kansas during my time at the school under Ralph Arietta.

During my 30 plus years of basketball involvement after playing, I have worked out numerous players including no less that 15 ex-Rutgers players, as well as an equal amount of Seton Hall and SJU players. I have watched HS basketball for over 30 years and have attended games with many guys who did not coach at the time and now are D1 Head and Assistant Coaches. That would include Bobby Gonzalez and Al Skinner. In fact Al and I along with ex D1 Assistant Bernard Tomilan drove together to games as far away as Boston prior to Al getting into coaching at Marist College. I remember him making the call to Marist on our way to Boston for the old Boston Shootout.

I have watched all the greats in the past 30 years. I have seen guys go from stars to drug addicts. I have seen guys go from stars to bench players. I have seen guys go from stars to no one knowing them 5 years later. But I have also seen guys go from Unknown to the NBA. In fact I have seen guys go from underrated in HS to the NBA All Star Team. 

Going to games from NYC to North Carolina I see alot. I see the good and the bad. I see AAU guys coaching and caring and HS coaches who could care less. Remember every coach will not be that concerned with the kids he coaches. For every Hurley, Boyle, Curtis March, Johhny Mathis (NYC Kennedy), Ron Neclerio, Mo Hicks, etc. there are still guys doing it just for the small stipend they receive for coaching.

Lots of what I say on my blogs which are on LFBALLONHOOPS.Blogspot.com or GameOver.com, cover alot of what I see going on and it can be controversial.

2. With Rutgers struggling once again this year, everyone is pointing towards player development and the lack of a true point guard as the biggest culprits. What's your take on that explanation, and do you have any other impressions of this season?

First of all, I have to start by saying how disappointed I am watching the decline of JR Inman, Corey Chandler, and others. I am also surprised by the record because I feel Rutgers has enough talent to have won more games in and out of conference. No way should they lose to many of those schools. The kids on Rutgers would have tore up recruiting letters from those out of conference schools they lost to without reading them. I like Binghamton and its wonderful coaching staff who are destined for bigger jobs elsewhere in the near future, but they should never have beat Rutgers at The RAC. Everyone continues to say Rutgers does not have talent. To that I say NOT TRUE. They do not have the people RU might want at this time but you can not tell me Rutgers does not have talent. And many folks in basketball circles agree with my assessment.

Unfortunately I feel many players have given up and cannot wait until the season ends. I think this is a direct result of the players feeling the coaches gave up on them early in the season. You cannot expect Sr. leadership when you cater to 2 freshmen from day 1. By the way, I feel the recruitment options of both these young men. although they seem like great kids and GOOD talents, were overrated. Both were smart enough to attend Rutgers where they knew they would play alot! Smart of them and good for them. Unfortunately the same mistake made at Seton Hall under Tommy Amaker with the Barrett, Tony El, and Griffith class where he just made it their team has happened at Rutgers which is partially responsible for this bad season. What happens next season?

Now this might seem like I am bashing the RU staff but I really am not. I used to have a decent relationship with all of those coaches. In fact I was one of Craig Carter's youth coaches and even drove him to RU for one of his visits when he was a HS player. But they have done some great things, and they have made some mistakes because they are human.

The staff at Rutgers has not gotten the support needed to help them become successful. Where is the 24 hours a day practice facility, new or improved arena, marketing dollars to bring in sell-outs for every game, and more? New AD? He seems like a football guy so who knows. But one thing for sure, FHJ will get another year and that is good and bad because it will be hard to win next season as well, and potential recruits who are impact players and program changers know this. The hardest thing to overcome for a program is having a coach who folks think might not be around long. So 1 more year would not be enough. FHJ needs a 3 year contract extension or shall I say at least 3 years more years before RU faithful will see good results.

Talent wise RU needs to hope Corey Chandler does not leave. But if RU is searching for a great PG than the writing is on the wall about who will start next season in the back court. Looks like it will be the new PG they get, and Mike Rosario. Trust me Mike is the starter at the 2 and Corey is too slight to play the 3. So this will be interesting.

Talent wise next season and wins? The starters most likely will be new PG, Rosario, Enchinique, the Big Fella, and another player to be named. Miller? Pettis? Who? Does that line-up make anyone confident? Maybe Rosario will have a Douby type year and RU will jell as a team and upset alot of people! Than again maybe Stephon Marbury will suit up for the Boston Celtics and become the Playoff MVP! Anything can happen and you do not need to be at Disney to experience it.

3. What about the long term future of the Rutgers basketball program - Fred Hill is probably going to get another year; is that the right call? Can he still turn it around, and he does he deserve that chance?

Yes he can turn it around. But he needs to do an honest self assessment of himself and his program. It will take at least 3 years for this to happen because the program changers are not attending Rutgers. Program changers often have alot of things taken care of before enrolling. Not going to go into detail but many of these kids have been spoiled since they were playing biddy basketball. The deals behind closed doors will not happen at RU at this time. Not sure what might have happened many years ago, but I doubt if RU will do special favors to get stud players who can turn things around right away. Ever seen the movie "Blue Chips?"

Fred needs something to sell. New practice facility, new arena, state of the art weight room with indoor swimming pool attached to practice facility. He also needs support from the school in regards to marketing and recruitment. I loved reading how the football coach landed in a helicopter on a HS football field. That's the type of stuff Kentucky does. North Carolina came to see Dexter Strickland in the super 8 at MSG last season 2 hours after a televised home game. It was impressive and made possible by the private chartered jet they flew into Teterboro on.
4. From reading your site and a few of your posts on Rivals in the past, you've spoken a bit about some of the seedier aspects of college basketball recruiting. What do you think of the topics discussed in the recent Gary Williams interview with the Washington Post?

I have had the pleasure of sitting in on a Gary Williams home visit with one of my ex-players who did sign with Maryland. Funny thing is we never heard from Gary again after the kid signed and the kid lived in my home. It has been rumored that Gary does not really like recruiting. Not sure about that because he was into it when he visited us.

As far as recruiting? It is a seedy business and even those who want to do it right find themselves dragged into bidding wars on occasion. It is somewhat better now, but years ago college teams hired guys in various cities to do recruiting for them, and they did anything to get players because their pay was based on a kid attending the school who hired them. In fact one well known talent guy was a recruiter for Tennessee years ago. Still remember him wearing his UT short at HS games. But yes it still is seedy and underhanded.

One of the problems is the big guys and their alums can buy autos,and homes for players, and get away with it based on who they are, while the small guys get hit for being at a summer game lol. So unfair! There are rumors about alot of seedy stuff at a number of programs, but Rutgers has not been included and I doubt if they will.

5. Is there a concern out there that Rutgers is turning into strictly a football school, and is starting to neglect hoops? In terms of facilities upgrades, what needs to happen?

Yes there is. Alot has gone into RU football while basketball is suffering. It seems all about the pig skin! Needs to change but hiring a football guy makes a person wonder.

6. Should the Big East conference split at some point in the near future?

NO! I think it is a great conference. But the bottom teams need to get better fast. It's becoming a have and have not conference. But no split.

7. Lastly, who do you like in the BE tourney in MSG this year? What about to win it all in March?

UCONN!!!!!!!!!! They have players and they have support from the entire state! Not to mention two head coaches including one who is great lol. But Pitt will show up and make it fun. I like North Carolina to win it all with a BE team as national runner up.

Thanks again to LFBall for his honesty and candor.

Saturday was a Great Day

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Before starting this new post which will not be a long one, I want everyone to understand I am attempting to post more regularly this season because I have alot more to say. If you look at my blog you will see at least two posts from last week that many of you most likely missed including my NJ Player and team rankings.

I hope you have an opportunity to read my blog often and feel free to comment (I will open that portion up as soon as I can figure the thing out) on the blog or even send me an email at LFBall@aol.com. I am open to suggestions and even people strongly disagreeing with me. I will even apologize if I am convinced I am wrong. See past story on Pocono Mountain West HS Basketball as a example.

Saturday:

What a great day for local BE college basketball programs! St. Johns beats Cincinnati,  Seton Hall beats Providence, and Rutgers beats UConn.  What a day, what a message to area HS basketball stars, what a chance to capitalize on Saturdays success while gaining momentum for future games. Again I feel all games against each other should be sellouts or at least 14-15,000 in arena settings.

Lets start with Rutgers win. OK Coach Carr I know you read this blog and I know you understand how I feel about you despite the craziness from a few seasons back. I feel you are great for basketball and a wonderful person. Now with that said I also have to eat crow. Please give me the leg if it has not already been taken. Although I said Rutgers was heading in the right direction, I also  said Rutgers wins only one huge game a year,  How wrong was I based on Rutgers beating two well respected teams so far this season in both Florida and now UConn.  Despite the rag a tag gym seats and sound system Rutgers has really turned the corner regardless of what happens next.  And the RAC seems to be back and jumping!

St. Johns also won yesterday.  Maybe Dante's catered the pre game meal or someone came in and gave a great speech.  Regardless, St. Johns won a game they really needed to win. Are they back? Are they moving in the right direction? Did they wear the suits with no ties and sneakers? Whatever they did they need to duplicate for the next game on the schedule.

Seton Hall is proving so many people wrong so far this season. Come on and admit it! No one expected them to do as well as they have. They are without a doubt the best team in the NYC Tri-State area at this point of the season. But you and I know the games against Rutgers and St. Johns will be wars. I agree with many who say Seton Hall would have lost a few of the games they won this year a year ago. Again they are really doing this in an efficient manner by holding serve and winning the games they should and beating some no one expected them to beat.

Did FDU win? I do not have to look at the final score but can easily provide the answer. Ok let me see for myself. OK they lost again at home with the attendance reported at  583.  So lets figure this out. 583 attendance minus 300 comps  to kids groups including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and youth leagues leaves actual attendance at 283. They cannot be charging more than $10  a game so they took in $2830 maybe. Refs in the NEC must make 400 a game so that means we minus $1200 leaving $1630 to cover lights, heat, payroll for workers, the hoagies and sodas after the game, and more. Concession money?  Most likely goes to another team working the 1 stand.  What a sad situation!

Since I am so on FDU I need to say why. That program can be huge with the right support. No reason they are not Bergen County New Jersey's Team and average at least 3500 per game with more money coming in via a better concession stand deal. Donations would be up and even some potential bigger pay days including a real ESPN game or two. The school is so close to Newark NJ, NYC, and Westchester County, that in no way should they ever starve for talent. Of course the coach needs the recruitment tools necessary, the gym needs to be brought back to life, they need a real band at games, and the marketing folks need to come off vacation or the in office leave of absence they are on. Than again what do they say. Maybe get excited about the losers event against Binghamton or was that played already?

A Few Items I have thought about!

Is Jordan Theodore not one of the best point guards in America at this time?

Jordan Theodore is playing so well many cannot remember the name of the point guard he backed up when he first arrived at Seton Hall. Ok in 4 seconds who was the starting PG when Jordan Theodore arrived at The Hall?

Will Seton Hall soon be called College basketball Point Guard U?

Is it me or does Herb Pope look about 6 ft 5 on the court and very Un-Atheletic despite being a very good player? I mean he gets alot of shots blocked!

When turning the channels and watching the RU vs UConn game you almost feel you are watching Georgetown when the camera is on Andre Drummond and the other UConn bigs. The grey uniforms also help you feel this way. Plus looking at Drummond brings back Alonzo Morning memories based on talent and shot blocking.

Watched UCLA play on TV. SAD! But than again they do have players and with Kyle Anderson they all will look better in the new Pauley Pavilion.

Transfers sitting out will make Hofstra tough next season

If there was a tournament with FDU, Binghamton, St. Peters, and NJIT held would anyone care?  Would anyone come if it was held in NJ?  Could any of those teams beat Simeon HS from Chicago? Could any of those teams beat the champion from the NJAC or CUNY conferences? Who would win if they played each other?

Anyone think the crime rate will go down during Aquille Carr's games at the Pru in a few?

Who will win the game between Rutgers and SHU? Will the place be full?

That's it for now everyone. Enjoy the games today!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

College Basketball

Ok the huge news all over the NY Tri-State Area is the verbal commitment of  Aquille Carr, a 5 ft 6 Jr. from Baltimore Maryland. Please allow me to tell you what I know and have heard about this young man. This kid is a true winner who makes everyone around him better. This kid will put people in the seats. This kid is exciting. This kid competes. And finally this kid will be the backbone of the SHU Recruiting class of 2013 by attracting other kids to South Orange based on the respect many have for him.

Now many will argue that at 5 ft 6 just how much can he accomplish? Well I say check him out against very good HS competition similar to what he faced last season and this season thus far. Trust me, and this is not a knock, he is not Pokey Wiggiton (sp....sorry Pokey).  This kid could be Calvin Murphy for Seton Hall without leading the nation in scoring or being a close second.  Being from Baltimore is different than being a great player from Beverly Hills HS, in Beverly Hills California.  Just getting to school on a daily basis often takes heart on the part of a student in certain areas of America. Playing games in a tough summer league and HS league also is different than playing summers in the Franklin Lakes  Summer Rec League or even the Teaneck Summer League, which I love and adore. In other words the toughness is there!

Please understand that division 1 basketball takes serious mental and physical toughness along with skills and desire for players to be successful. This is why many kids we all know who can shoot, pass, dribble, and win skill contests are not D1 players. They often miss having the other qualities I have mentioned. Aquille Carr has everything necessary except the height that we always look for in the sport of basketball. But his huge heart and desire make up for his lack of height.

Now lets break this recruitment thing down. And honestly I am not busting any bubbles on this. Division 1 recruitment in a very complex thing. High majors such as Seton Hall, Rutgers, and St. Johns have to be on their A game all year long evaluating and recruiting players. Mid major programs such as lower A10, CAA Schools,  and a few MAAC programs need to be standing close by. Low D1 schools along with many D2, D3, NAIA, and JC schools are almost wasting time recruiting players in the summer and fall. Why? Because 90 percent of kids on teams think they are high D1 players and only face reality when they have no high D1 offers in April of their senior year.  Coaches from those type of schools would be better off just attending games and speaking with HS Coaches, and people in the stands who know players. I oftem smile when I see the coaching staff of local D3 schools out in force going after kids. They might as well stay home because these kids are not ready for them at this point! This brings me full circle back to Seton Hall and the recruitment of high major players by them, Rutgers, and St. Johns.

High Major recruitment starts with deciding who to realistically go after based on talent, program need, and honestly who  players are associated with. I know folks are wondering what I mean by "who players are associated with?"  Well, some kids are associated with people who steer players based on numerous factors.  You people know what I am talking about! You can even predict where some kids will wind up based on past relationships many coaches have had with friends of the players being recruited and this has nothing to do with anything illegal. Stevie Wonder knew Michael Gilchrist was going to play for Coach Cal even if he was at FDU! Writing was on the wall very early based on friendship between The Gilchrist camp and The Coach Cal camp. Again nothing illegal here just a trust factor maybe.

Before anything is done thousands of kids are recommended and observed at camps, AAU tournaments, and in local leagues.  Some kids based on AAU affiliation are recruited higher than others. Check out an AAU tournament and see which teams the Coaches are watching. On courts 1 and 2 the stronger teams are playing and on courts 3 and 4 you have the teams with the hard working non D1 kids playing in front of family and friends hoping to get a sniff from a D1 program .

After the player to be recruited is identified the next step is to get that player interested in your program.

Interest letters are sent out as early as players are identified. This can happen when a kid is in 9th grade. But there can be no official contact. Please note I said no "Official" contact. Kids reply with schedules and personal info which is stored in a very sophisticated data base often including other information gathered from talking to people. Things like parents occupation and education level, siblings names and athletic potential, influential people in the players life, Grand Parents names and closeness to the player, favorite food, girlfriends name, best friends name, and much more.

In between all of this calls are made to people coaches trust for more information on a particular player. It could be a guy like Tom Konchalski, Rob Kennedy, Steve Keller, Ed Butler, Rebel (NYC), Nate Blue. Jim Couch, or even a local low major  D1 coach who might have seen the player and could provide some insight.

Using this information and schedules players are observed,

After that you need to be visible at games the player is playing both in the summer and during HS open gyms and actual games. Heck I have seen some coaches now sit right behind a teams bench.

Than there is the establishment of great, not good, great communication between an  Assistant Coach, determined by actual connections to people in the players circle and community, and a player. This is done to establish a true comfort level.

Next is to involve the Head Coach more in the recruitment process if the HC has not been the lead recruiter from the start, something many of the more dynamic and younger head Coaches already do.

Next is to get them to agree to visit your campus.

Than it is back to staying visible.

Than it is to get a verbal commitment

Next is to act like you just signed the next Michael Jordan

Next is to stay on this kid as if you are re-recruiting him because any slip and bang.....he re-opens his recruitment.

For a Jr., this is a long and tedious process because many college programs are grimy and could care less about a verbal commitment.  HS Coaches are even often offered jobs at a college that the Head Coach is a friend of the Coach at the school attempting to steal the player away from. Of course the next time around it is done opposite. Called keeping it in the family!

Now after re-recruiting the kid until national letter of intent day where he and his parents sign the dotted line, coaches have to re-celebrate getting the official signed document and commitment.

It is not over yet!  Now the process is making sure the grades are right, in most cases at least (smile). I hear a certain school has really relaxed the admission requirements. Hope the kids recruited can keep up.

And last but not least is Coaches have to get the kid on campus and enrolled as soon as possible. Even if it's  summer school, to lock in the commitment.

In the case of Aquille Carr, the recruitment process is far from over with his commitment to Seton Hall. Will it stand? In most cases it will. But knowing what I know about Baltimore politics and other colleges and universities, Seton Hall has to stay on top of this until he signs his LOI .

I end this by saying Kids like this want to make a difference. He is not even thinking about comp at his position as much as coming and doing his thing. I frown on a kid like Sina jumping up and saying he no longer will consider Seton Hall.  Honestly now is the time to jump on the band wagon with a kid who will get you open shots and make you better because at this time you certainly are more of a two guard who night just grow 3 more inches based on Dads height, and you could perfectly compliment Mr.Carr. JMHO!

My thoughts about a few local teams playing basketball.

FDU is now 1 and 12 and getting worst each time out. Can you even imagine attending a game there? The atmosphere must be very interesting to say the least. I still say this has more to do with the Administration than the coaching staff. A staff with Coach Tom Green, assisted by Ron Brown and yes Greg Vatrone would have much better results because they were used to not getting support and learned to work around it. Again the NJAC is waiting for that call!

Binghamton made national headlines a few  season back. Head Coach and Assistants were let go and Mark Macon was retained as head coach with very little experience. Place was selling out with close to 5000 per game years ago, had a kids corner, it was the place to be in that town. Now they are 0-14 and ready to face FDU in the losers bowl on QVC because they can sell anything to people there.  I am sure they could sell out the St. Charles CYO gym for this game! Meantime the ex Coach is back at Georgetown waiting for his next opportunity. And if people pay attention they will realize what a good job he actually did. (Here comes the hits and attacks towards me lol).

Marist is 7-8 so a great guy,  Chucky Martin,  will hopefully get more time to get it rolling at marist as it was years ago with sell outs and exciting games.

Siena beat Fairfield last night and people were actually at the game. Amazing!  Imagine if they won more often! Or could it be there is really nothing else to do in the Albany area on a Friday evening? Close to 7000 people came out! They currently average around the same number.

Iona is 12-3 and I have to just say good coaching and some luck in landing a few players they could normally not get makes them a very good team. You know the players so no sense in saying the names. OK I will say them anyway. Glover and  Jones are both BE caliber players as is the PG Machado who has worked to become a great player at his position.

Columbia is 10-5 so the band and Ron Kapon, the biggest Columbia University fan in the world must be feeling mighty good!

Fairfield is 7-8 and looks to need a boast after last nights loss to Siena. Great campus and wonderful arena they use in Bridgeport. Just wonder if they would not be better off back at Alumni Hall on campus. Also why would a person leave Princeton? That's a life job with prestige!

Did I say FDU is now 1-12?

St. Peters, one of the most difficult jobs in America along with St. Francis of Brooklyn, is 3-12. John Dunn is a nice guy.......

Manhattan is 9-7 and just getting it going. I expect the next few seasons will be even better!

Fordham is 7-7. Please see Manhattan comment. But they do need a new gym!

Wagner has a hot commodity in Dan Hurley. I still remember when he was "Danny" lol. They are 11-3 and I expect some schools to make a run at Dan when the season is over. Will Bob Jr. who used to be "Bobby" take his place if he leaves or go with him?

St. Johns is 7-7 after all the fanfare about the recruiting class and world class coaching staff. Again I hope Steve Lavin recovers well and gets back on the side line because at this time that is the only excuse they can use because they do have players! I really want SJU to return to the glory days. NYC and the tri-state area needs strong BE teams to make the Garden jump again!. Hard part of the season approaching. Good Luck!

Rutgers won their annual feel great game against Florida. They are now 8-7 with some big games on tap. I do think this program is headed in the right direction but feel the need is still there for a facility face lift and not just a coat of fresh paint.

Seton Hall has been the surprise teal locally and everyone is excited. My big question is will the coaching staff still allow Sina to attend games after he said he is no longer interested in attending.

HS

Just want everyone to know I am working on some HS stuff including best player lists in NYC and NJ, best regardless of class, best coaches in tri-state area, and even best sleepers. Stay tuned. Hopefully by this week!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Basketball ie a wonderful game. It is a game that brings the best out of us as players, coaches, and even fans. On the East coast of the United States I have noticed fans are alot more into "their" teams than those on the West coast are. Look at Knick fans and than check out Laker fans. One group is a rah-rah group while the other is a wine and cheese group, which is the norm there. Well recently I have watched a few college games and see how fans can influence a game and bring out the best in players and a team in general. If you think Rutgers fans against Florida were not helpful in their upset victory, you are wrong. In fact at least once a year Rutgers fans are better than those fans at Cameron Indoor Stadium, which is just a big HS type Gym, on the Duke University campus.

This brings me to my point. Why are certain fans only interested in cheering at certain games? Where were all those Rutgers fans for the West Virginia game? Where was the lift the Rutgers team needed last night?  We all know what happened last night so no need in re-visiting what was a complete let down by the home team. To lose is one thing, but to not compete in another. Now the fans did not lose this game, the RU team and players did. I am sure they were prepared, I am sure they wanted to win, I am just not sure the players had the right approach heading into the WVA game that they had facing ex teammate Mike Rosario and Florida. Honestly playing Florida was not exactly playing the top team in the country or even playing and beating a team like Duke, which is what Temple University did last night in Philly. Beating The University of Florida was great and a huge win. But beating WVA could have been more important based on it being a conference game against a school who feels the Big East is not a match for its sports program.  Where were the diehard fans and supporters? Where was the mystique of the RAC, once considered one of the hardest places in the country for opposing teams to play?  Rutgers has very good young talent and they and the fan base needs to continue to develop in the future and hopefully they will.

Was reading the Seton Hall Rivals board yesterday and interesting to me is the fact those fans understand all aspects of the college game. From recruitment to how the program runs, they are fully in touch.  This season they also seem much more patient with the Pirates, maybe because of the great start, maybe because they fully understand what it takes to win. Or it could be they finally understand almost every player being recruited by SHU reads the rivals basketball boards along with the families of the players. Trust me I know this for a fact! In fact many read this blog as well. I just wonder if certain kids would have committed to Seton Hall if they did not sign so early based on the way they are playing thus far? Ummmmmmmmmmmmm, somthing to think about.  I still say it is important for kids to play in an environment they are comfortable in and supported. For that reason I again question kids going to schools with zero fan support but a pretty campus. Heck if you want zero fan support attend FDU and be close to home. You could even have an after game hoagie and a soda there!

The more I think about it the better Hofstra and Iona look for the future. If I was a local BE school I am not sure I would play either one of them next season lol.

Has FDU won a game? Anyone attending games? Why am I asking the obvious?

HS Basketball

Let me make one thing perfectly clear. In my HARLEM NEIGHBORHOOD we often used the term "Thugged Them" as a reference to out toughed the other team.  In no way was I saying the Plainfield Players were thugs on my blog. What I was doing was complimenting them on their toughness period!
And yes Plainfield was the tougher team because they really took the game from Hudson Catholic, a team with at least 5 D1 players! My apologies to those who took what I said wrong.

After a great Sunday at The Playaz New Years Jump-Off, the rest of the season seems so low key. What ever happened to the Slam Dunk at The Beach with Bobby Jacobs? What has happened to the Prime Time Shootout at The Arena in Trenton New Jersey? OK I know the Prime Time is still in existence but being played at Kean University. Problem is the field is just not that attractive again this year. They have very good teams but at one time they had The Best Teams in The Country! Similar to how the Beach-Ball Classic was years ago in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Now the teams might be in an event but they tend to play against others they are guaranteed to beat, even though every now and than a team such as Rutgers Prep gets an upset victory only top lose to some unknown school a few games later.  This is what made the Playaz New Years Jump-Off so special. The great match-ups!

Top Teams This Week 1. St. Anthony's 2. St. Benedict's 3, Plainfield 4. Teaneck 5. St. Patricks 6. Gil St. Bernards 7. St. Josephs of Metuchen   8. Hudson Catholic 9. Seton Hall Prep 10.Linden Top seniors in the state of New Jersey Top Seniors or shall I say my super 10 1. Kyle Anderson St. Anthony's 2. Melvin Johnson  St. Benedict's 3. Chris Jones - Teaneck. 4. Quinton Decosey - St. Joseph's  of Metuchen 5. Blaise Mbargorba - Peddie    6.  Dallas Anglin- Seton Hall Prep  7.  Jimmy Hall - St. Anthony's 8.  Btandon Taylor - Trenton Catholic 9.  Justin Sears - Plainfield    Tie For Number 10 10. Jerome Finke - St. Anthony's 10. Sekou Harris - Plainfield  10. Charles Cook - Trenton Catholic 2 Players with Great Upside who are far from any top 10 list. But a good JC or Prep year would make them very good Omar Sotolongo      6 ft 7   Dwight Morrow HS  Englewood, NJ Austin Mofunanya    6 ft 6   Dwight Morrow HS  Englewood, NJ Next up Top HS Coaches Top College Coaches Top Underclassmen Top Players Regardless of Class Top AAU Programs Top Non Coaching Teachers of The Game Stay tuned!!!

Wednesday, January 3, 2012

Good Morning Basketball People:

It will be a cold day in early July when Seton Hall beats the defending national champs in college basketball! Well, it is not July but it sure was cold outside as a red hot Seton Hall Team beat The University of Connecticut at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ last night. Interesting how much many of us take senior leadership and talent for granted.

Lets look at expectations going into the 2011-2012 college basketball season. We were all ready for sell outs at the garden. We were ready for Rutgers to emerge as a team with great potential as opposed to that team that gets up for one or two games a year at The RAC against better opponents. We were also ready for Seton Hall to be so-so this season with almost no chance of a post season birth. In fact in the scheme of things Seton Hall looked like the least glamourous and exciting of the 3 area Big East programs.

Well, sellouts at the Garden, as in Madison Square Garden has not happened and I doubt with the exception of the Big East  Tournament they will occur.  More on this later!  Rutgers has improved and has very good young talent and the future seems very bright. However at this time Rutgers is still that team that beats a much better team during the season at the RAC and everyone in New Brunswick and Piscataway celebrates for a night. But again the future is bright even if the Arena is not.

Back to Seton Hall.  No need to provide the final score or individual statistics because they are all over the place. But what I will say is the game was FANTASTIC for the home team who played with purpose and poise. Seton Hall might just have turned the corner by beating UConn last night in front of 9000 plus fans, which is really not a great turnout though they have a curtain to make the arena a small 10,000 seat facility. I just think people are missing out on great events when Seton Hall takes the court in Newark. The UConn, St. Johns, and Rutgers games when played at The Prudential Center should have no fewer than 15,000 people in attendance.

Well 9000 plus people saw a great Pirate effort last night and Herb Pope introduced himself to Andre Drummond in a way Mr. Drummond will never forget. Does anyone actually believe Andre Drummond did not know who Herb Pope was prior to the game? Please! Not unless he lives in a facility with no Radio, TV, or Newspapers and is only allowed out right before the games he plays.  Seton Hall is playing great basketball and making alot of people kick themselves for doubting they would be a good team up to this point. Again I say if a team can hold serve and not be upset by teams they should beat, the record at the end of the season should be decent and satisfying. This is what SHU has done. They have one unexpected loss and another that everyone can understand. Now the trick is to win the next few games which are extremely possible.

St. Johns on the other hand seems to be going nowhere very quickly. I know folks are going to hate me for saying this but they really should be better even with the short roster.  I also will be hated for this statement as well. What is up with the grungy look with no neck ties and sneakers with suits? It is not like they are a winning streak and being superstitious! All they need to do now is not shave or bath to complete the look we see on TV.  Come on where is the polish of  New York City's Team? I wonder if this is what people expected when Steve Lavin was hired? I wonder if the players they have expected this? I wonder if all the guys responsible for these kids attending St. Johns expected a season like this?

I still remember St. Johns with the great teams selling out Madison Square Garden on a regular basis. St. Johns choose who would attend as opposed to Kids choosing them. The talent is certainly there, although the roster is short. I have to wonder and brace myself for interesting news during the off season.  Will any of these kids leave? Will the coaches stay? Will they ever be what they were in years past. 9000 at The Garden against Louisville and they get smacked around at that. Lastly I remember many saying playing for St. Johns was like playing for the Knicks in regard  to groupies if you know what I mean. I would bet the locker room area is nowhere as exciting as it was years ago.

Well, thats it for today although I do need to clarify a few things.  When I discuss FDU it is not personal or against the coach. It is about the potential of an athletic program not being fully realized. Guy will never be in position to win without the tools and support necessary. Fordham beating Harvard was a great win for a good guy and wonderful academic institution. Hofstra is doing a great job recruiting and with the people sitting out will be a serious challenger for the post season next year. Hofstra also has the best and most experienced group of Assistant Coaches in the Entire United States of America. Watch out! I hear from many people that King Rice will get it done at Monmouth and they will be a top tier mid major program just as Delaware was under Mike Brey. Speaking of Delaware what is happening there? Still remember them getting 5000 fans at every game to go along with the 25000 for the D1A football games. Well, football still draws but when I see pictures of the arena it looks empty and sad! Will they make a change?

Tomorrow I will post my top NJ HS Teams again as well as a new top 10 boys basketball list for NJ.

Monday January 2, 2012 New Years Jump Off!

Good Morning:

I had the pleasure of spending most of Sunday at Hackensack HS in New Jersey  watching the 2012 Playaz Club "New Years Jump-off."   This had to be the best 4 game event in the history of NJ high school basketball on paper. With 6 of the top 7 teams in the state competing it was bound to be a sell out, which is why I arrived as early as possible after eating with my very good friend Bobby Holford, ex D1 Coach and current head of the Urban Leadership Academy in Queens NY.  By the way it was great seeing Bobby,  especially since he paid for breakfast.

As I entered Hackensack HS it brought back so many great memories of my son playing there and getting his 30 and 10 a few times years ago as a player at Teaneck NJ HS. Well enough of the parental bragging, time to discuss the event and the games.

On paper all four games seemed to be outstanding! But to live up to the hype would be a very hard thing to do. But guess what? The games were even better than any of us could imagine! They were so good I already ordered tickets from Jim Salman for next years event that hopefully will be held at the same location. I also hope ESPN or some other station gets involved because this event was much better than the Springfield Ma. Hall of Fame HS event held and televised each year. In fact it was not even close.

With a sell out crowd and great concession food,  this was an event that every basketball junkie would enjoy. The first game was Dwight Morrow HS of Englewood NJ vs Hackensack HS of guess where? Hackensack NJ! This was the local warm-up game for the 3 huge games that were to follow. Problem was the game was so good and entertaining we felt in no way would the next 3 games be as good. Well they were even better.

Back to the Dwight Morrow vs Hackensack game.  Hackensack has a very classy coach in Aaron Taylor. This young man is in his second season and building something special that will be very good and entertaining in the future.  Englewood has a new coach in Donald "Ozzie" Osbourne, one of my former players and a person I have watched develop into one of the best coaches regardless of talent in the entire state of New Jersey. Guy can just flat out coach and does it with mirrors because Dwight Morrow has always had decent talent, but very little skill development or program building ever took place there so the kids on that team really have no clue about what it takes to win and be successful.  Hackensack to the contrary has always had winning programs going as far back as the days of Mel Henderson and Darryl Harris, two very good coaches. Scratch that, two Great Coaches. The game was all Dwight Morrow early and they led by 16 or 17 but Hackensack with more skilled players accustomed to winning stormed back and won the game at the end.  Donald  Osbourne did a superb job coaching and motivating his kids who really were not capable of finishing Hackensack off.  You could feel it in the air that they would not win at the end. Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello could not have pulled it out if they coached the Dwight Morrow kids for only a half season to date.  As I watched Dwight Morrow I could only dream about how good they will be in a few years with this new coach. I could only dream about what the two big guys on Dwight Morrow would be right now if he was with them last season. As far as Hackensack? Next season top 15 team in the state with some great players returning including potential top 100 National Player Rashad Figures, some great guards, and the Iona College AD's son Gene Marshall, a 6 ft 2 clean up guy supreme.

Next game was Teaneck NJ HS who has turned out more D1 players in the past 15 seasons than any other public school in the state,  against Perennial national power St. Patricks. This game was even better than the first game and had to be decided in overtime after Teaneck Junior  Joel Hernandez hit a game tying off balance 3 pointer. Teaneck went on to win when Hernandez hit 2 free throws with a second left in overtime. What a  game this was with the talent on the court so great it made the first game, despite how good it was, look like a JHS or Freshmen game.  And for those who feel St. Patricks is done? Think again! They really were a solid team with wonderful and solid guard play to go along with great up front talent in De Andre Bembry (a top 100 type junior player if not higher)  from North Carolina and 6 ft 6 Jarred Nickens, a potential great player with wonderful skills  who will only get better next season when he is a senior. Honestly the coaching on the St. Patricks bench was very very good with A very active and involved staff. It was also interesting seeing the usual St. Patricks fans, including "Red" who Kevin Boyle talked about in the documentary saying he was sitting there like he was court-side at an NBA game.  Honestly this staff seemed better than the previous staff.  JMHO

Teaneck has a great team and features an outstanding coaching staff led by Head Coach Jerome Smart. I am so proud of this program win, lose, or draw based on them being a true program. Curtis March believed in this and the program is in great hands with Coach Smart and the other coaches. Led by Chris Jones, a 6 ft 6 guard/forward who is very under recruited despite having a number of mid major D1 offers, and a true top 4 senior in the state. When speaking to Jay Gomes of NJ Hoops, he admitted to me Chris Jones might be the best available senior in area and definitely better than many on his current top 10 NJ senior list. This kid is going to great as a college sophomore. Teaneck also has Joel Hernandez who is only a junior. He reminds me so much of Ricardo Greer at the same stage with Ricardo being much more aggressive offensively,  which is code for shoot first,  pass second. Hernandez is a definite D1 player and will only go where his summer work ethic takes him. Like Chris, he will be under recruited  initially, but with work, he like Chris could be a high major player. Next player on Teaneck is re-classified junior Neville Finch, a 6 ft 9 tough power player finally coming into his own. This is the kid  who you love on Monday and dislike on Tuesday based on inconsistent and often bone headed plays such as over fouling or unnecessary elbow throwing.  But when he gets it right and gets a few go to moves,  WOW! I can see this kid at Kansas or somewhere similar in his future. Finally there is 5 ft 7 Shakir Lindsey, a shake and bake guard who is tough as nails and understands controlling tempo. This kid can also shoot the lights out. MAAC, CAA, NEC, where are you?  What a game this was! Dunks, great passes, hard play, transition baskets, and overall great play.  A true nail biter and one I wished I had on tape to play over and over again.

Next up was Hudson Catholic vs Plainfield. Two PROGRAMS as well! Great coaching on both sides but I honestly feel Hudson Catholic players talk back and rebel a bit too much for my liking. The talent and coaching is there,  but they just have to Jell.  Plainfield, like Teaneck , is a public HS that only draws from the actual town and does not recruit, although the top big guy attends a local charter school as opposed to actually attending Plainfield HS. Rules state a player attending a charter school without a team can play at the HS in his district or town.

Plainfield might be the hardest working teams I have ever seen. They never give up and come at you all game long. They bite and claw their way to victory every game they play. Well, the game was one of runs by both teams. Hudson Catholic has at least 4 or 5 D1 players including top 100 juniors  6 ft 7 Reggie Cameron (whose Dad and Uncle often attended games with me when my son played years ago), and 6 ft 9 Mike Young.  They also have potential top 100 junior in  Kayon Stewart,  who depending on the day you watch is either great or just OK.  Well to be honest Plainfield just out toughed Hudson Catholic for the win. They played harder, smarter, and with purpose to win the game. It did not hurt that Plainfield has some very good players also in Sekou Harris,  a fully qualified guard who every NEC, and MAAC school should be all over, DiJon Allen-Jordan, a 6 ft 6 player with great atletic ability who plays at the rim, and Yale bound Justin Sears, a 6 ft 7 power player who just works his butt off and COMPETES every play. A well coached team that played the entire game on a mission to prove they were legit.  And they are!

I have to keep it real about Hudson Catholic. I still believe in this team and would hate to play them because when they get it going or shall I say if they get it going, they will be GREAT. To do this  Reggie Cameron needs more plays run through him,  Mike Young needs touches down low, and Kayon Stewart needs to be consistent and prove he is one of the great guards in NJ.  But more important is those kids need discipline and the buck starts and stops with the coaching. Nick Marininiello is a very good coach but he needs to coach and tell the others to be supportive as opposed to Co-Coaches. Kids are hearing 3 and 4 voices coming at them. These are talented kids who with discipline and smart play including understanding who their  bread and butter is (Cameron and Young), could do great things this and next season.

The final score saw Plainfield edge Hudson Catholic and shall I just say I saw Plainfield THUG (which means out tough) Hudson Catholic to win the game. This made it NJ Public Schools (Teaneck and Plainfield) 2 wins and NJ private schools  (St. Pats and Hudson Catholic) who recruit 2 losses.

Next was the headline game of the day. The game that made me arrive home at 12 midnight because I had to see it. St. Benedict's vs St. Anthony's. What talent, what coaching, what teams!  St. Benedict's has outstanding talent in Melvin Johnson who is headed to Miami of the ACC next season. I still wonder why high level recruits sign there since no one even comes out to games. Maybe it is the weather, or Luke the Miami King Of Porn Rap, who has on occasion has  invited U of M athletes to his events, is involved lol.  Anyway Melvin Johnson, the former Rice HS, Gaucho and LI  Lightning Dingle star is a heck of a player. Also on the St. Benedict's roster is Isaiah Briscoe a great freshmen guard  rated top 5 nationally, Tyler Ennis the Canadian recruit who is a top 100 junior with poise and great skills, and a host of others including 6 ft 8 jr. Isaiah Watkins who is playing with ZERO confidence at this time. I can feel this kids potential and have watched him get it done in he past. If he gets his confidence back he could be a high major played or at the least a CAA or A10 player. By the way I was extremely impressed with the St. Benedict's coaching staff led by Mark Taylor who only knows and understands winning! Guy has won wherever he has been. Loved the way he and his Assistant often played good cop and bad cop on the entire team.

St. Anthony's also has great talent to go along with a great Hall of Fame Coach in Bob Hurley. It is hard to beat a team with great coaching and a team use to winning. Kyle Anderson is Kyle Anderson! Top 3 national player and most likely the number one respectful kid in all of basketball. No ego, great personality, unselfish. smart,  good manners,  respectful, and much more. Again basketball needs him as much as he needs basketball.  Also on St. Anthony's is the biggest steal since Jessie James did his thing in Tomb Stone,  6 ft 8 Jimmy Hall who will attend Hofstra in the fall.  How SHU, SJU, and Rutgers slept this kid I do not know. Solid and true team player. Add fully qualified Tariq Carey a highly rated transfer from Newark NJ Eastside HS who will be a high to mid major player, Jerome Frink, a 6 ft 6 solid D1 player, and Josh Brown a jr. who has already committed to Temple University to form a great nucleus to work towards another undefeated season.

The game itself was decided at the very end with St. Anthony's winning by a point.  What a day, what an event! The organizers need to be commended for raising the bar regarding local HS showcase events. My only criticism is the bogus scouting services eating and being wined and dined not paying to attend and getting free food while others who actually blog and promote are not provided a soda lololololol. One guy I see all the time always has press credentials yet I have never seen a Blog or story done by him. Trust me when I tell you some bloggers get 10,000 hits on certain days. Even my blog often gets 2500 and has gotten as high as 9700 on a particular day. Oh well, I had some potato chips and a soda at 7-11 on my way home which was a 2 hour drive. But overall I give this event a 10 out of 10 star rating. Well Done Playaz Club!!!!

Sunday January 1, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a new year and everyone has set goals for the year. Some are attempting to lose weight while others are trying to gain weight. Yes, it certainly is that time of the year when many of us look to make that change we have thought about for some time.

In the world of basketball much of the goal setting has been geared to competing and winning more games. This is from grade school programs to the NBA. It all comes down to winning at the end of the day. On a side note I feel youth basketball should not be about winning as much as it should be about development through teaching. But we all know the business starts at an early age for many players because of the recruiting of kids even on the Junior High School level. Don't believe me? Allow me to tell you about a wonderful program at Mt. Carmel School off 120th Street on the east side of Harlem. Not sure about recently but a few years back this was the school that often had many of the top NYC and NJ HS Coaches in attendance at games. I guess these coaches really just wanted to see a good JHS basketball game (smile).

Yes, it remains about winning and thus far the areas Bigger universities  seem to be on the verge of being better for years to come. At least a few of them seem this way. Seton Hall looks like the best area team to me thus far.  Potential wise Rutgers will be right there as well. Interesting to me is the fact St. Johns, despite being short handed, has not done better. Is it only me but does others feel something is in the air about the future of the SJU program? It could be an explosion or it could be a celebration. They are prime for one or the other!

Honestly the game that excites me almost as much as the 4 games I will see today at Hackensack HS, in Hackensack NJ, is the Rutgers vs Seton Hall game for the NJ Gov. Trophy. Well, maybe it's not called the Governors trophy, but that would be a great idea. I still think an annual triple header for charity at MSG or The Prudential Center as a season kick-off for the 3 BE teams in the area against top comp from ACC, SEC, etc. would be great.

I blog alot about the three big college programs in the NY/NJ area to the point I often forget about the other D1 programs. Question is should these other programs even be D1? Some D1 programs provide individual Tutors, great pre game meals, training tables, first rate travel to and from games and more. Others do similar but not on the same scale. But than there are others such as FDU! Now you know I had to discuss them (smile) . Not sure if they still do this but I remember years ago waiting for my buddy Bobby Holford, who at the time was an FDU Assistant Mens Basketball Coach. I have been in many college locker rooms after games and have always seen a buffet laid out for players including hot and cold dishes and soft drinks. I was stunned to see one of the FDU Assistants distribute hero sandwiches and 1 can soda. I was stunned and said any kid who sees this will work his butt off to get to a school who treated the players better.

I still wonder why schools stay D1 and lose money?  I wonder if there should be a D1A as they do in football? When you are only drawing 450 to a game,  and even that is exaggerated, someone will eventually look at how feasible is it to continue?  Well, allow me to talk briefly about a few local D1 teams and/or programs:

FDU

I have to start with the team from Hackensack NJ   Notice I said team and not program!  Boy could they have used Gene Marshall when they were looking for an AD. Though I am no longer even friendly with my ex summer player Greg Vetrone, I understand what he is facing and the lack of support given at FDU. By the way Gene is the AD at Iona last I heard. Ummmmmmm!  Thus far FDU has  lost every game played with the exception of St. Peters. They even lost to that national power NJIT. You know, that famous team that lost every game over a two year period. Was at a game and a person asked me if FDU was better or worst after firing Tom Green?  Someone emailed me and asked why I do not say anything positive about FDU allow me to say The Website Is Nice!

St. Peters

This has to be the second hardest school in America to recruit kids to. By the way the most difficult is St. Francis of Brooklyn which is almost housed in office buildings in Brooklyn Heights. So far SPC is 2-11 but did beat Siena College,  a traditionally good program in the MAAC.  Not sure where they are going in the future or what the potential is to make it happen there unless they start going after transfers needing a last chance. Pretty good staff including a CPA who if nothing else could help put together a college wide financial plan.  Just saying....... !

Monmouth

Still one of the best campuses and facilities in America for a mid major D1 program. I sure hope King Rice is the right person for this job because it really is a sleeping giant similar to what Delaware University was when Mike Brey was the Head coach there. Record is currently 3 and 10 with North Carolina up next so unless the coaching staff including King Rice, Brian Reese, and Derrick Phelps suit up, they will be 3-11 very soon.  I will say when they get it going at Monmouth the support is great. New gym/arena is awesome!

NJIT

Believe it or not they are no longer the worst program or team in America.  Please do not ask me to tell you who gets that honer!  In fact they seem to be getting better and are currently 5 and 7 beating even FDU. Ummmmmmmm! Two things for certain is this school needs to evaluate the advantage of being in Division 1, and if a kid attends and graduates he will surely be prepared for a great future employment wise.

Rider

Sometimes I forget all about these guys. I still remember looking at the plans for the new facility years ago. I guess they still have those plans but most likely the building codes are different now. So it's back to the drawing board for both the gym and basketball team. They are currently 3 and 11 and looking uphill schedule wise. It really does not help them by playing in a HS Auxiliary Gym.

Fordham

I really like Tom Pecora alot. I also think he could have waited for a better job as opposed to making a lateral move from Hofstra to Fordham. I know the increase in salary was great but the facilities and team seem nowhere as good as he had at Hofstra. Anyway they are doing decent but the fans at Fordham are demanding after being spoiled by Digger Phelps years ago when he had Charlie Yelverton, Kenny Charles, and many others. Fordham has a guy on its staff named David Duke! Are you kidding me lol? Could you imagine this coach calling a Black or Jewish  recruit with great grades in the South who follows civil rights and politics? Phone rings and the caller says hello this is David Duke! We all know who David Duke was years ago when he ran the southern KKK.

Manhattan

I still remember Steve Masiello as a HS player spending time playing with the Gauchos. He had serious style than and has the same style now. He also is smart enough to put together a great staff to get it done at Manhattan College. So far they are 9 and 5 but better yet the future remains bright for him and his entire staff.  One negative is no matter how hard they try, Manhattan College needs a new facility for basketball.

Wagner College

Wagner hiring Dan Hurley proves you do not need alot of college experience to be a successful College  Head Coach. Steve Lavin might get it done at St. Johns, but Mark Jackson would have been a home run.
Thus far Wagner College, the pride of Staten Island, has a 10-3 very impressive record. They have done so well that a few people are starting to network with the AD anticipating Dan Hurley getting offers from larger programs. Also a great staff at Wagner! They could be some PROGRAM based on being Staten Islands Team!

Siena College

Interesting how they drew 3000 fans when they visited Georgia Tech  of the ACC and at home had around 8 or 9 thousand for a game against Albany. Wow! People in that area really support this team but the HC Mitch Buonaguro has to really get this thing moving. This could be his last HC opportunity in D1. We all know he was a GREAT ASSOCIATE HC, but the jury remains out on him with his own program.  I have an ex player on this staff as well in Craig Carter, who really works hard and kids seem to love.

Iona College

Could be the best team in the entire area. I still am not big on the staff make-up but have to give props to Tim Cluess, who many say is the best coach in the area. They are 10 and 3 with some very good players. Good players plus good coaching equal success. Iona also is famous among those  who really understand what the final outcome should be, for the employment rate and positions the players get upon graduation. I have never met an ex Iona player who was/is not successful.

I have left off a few such as Hofstra, Marist and Fairfield that will be covered next time. Right about now it is time to start getting ready to travel to the Playaz New Years day Jump-off which starts at 3 PM . Meeting a few friends for brunch before heading over to Hackensack HS.

Hope to see many of you at a future game!