Ace Bailey introduced during his first Rutgers basketball game
Ace Bailey is introduced during his first Rutgers basketball game
The 2024-25 varsity basketball season is underway. Here is our Skyland and western UCC preseason Courier News boys basketball top 10
(last year’s record in parenthesis)
1. Union Catholic (22-7) — The names are familiar, talented and very experienced. Seniors AJ Altobelli, Luke Schorr, Yaw Ansong and FK Muntari are as impressive a foursome as you get statewide. They spearheaded the program’s first Union County Tournament title last season. They did experience a disappointing end, falling to Paul VI in the South Non-Public A final. UC won the state title two years ago and should be right back to contention this season.
2. Rutgers Prep (20-6) — The two-time Somerset County Tournament and Skyland Delaware champion are going to be tough to block from repeating. The Argonauts opened the season Saturday, losing in overtime to defending Central 2 champ Manasquan. Senior and Marist commit Myles Parker and sophomores Andrew Kretkowski, Rocco Loomis and Jacob Canton are the core 4 here.
3. Plainfield (19-8) — Sophomore guard Micah Gordon is viewed as one of the best in the state at his position. But do not discount the cast around him that helped drive the team to the North 2 Group 4 final last season. Junior Rashawn Williams joined Gordon on all Union County Conference coaches first team last season and junior Kamai Lowery was honorable mention.
4. Gill St. Bernards (12-15) — The Knights hope to rebound from a rare losing season. And they’re certainly expected to. Watch freshman guard Connor Junker add to the attack led by 6-foot-7 senior forward Stanley Njekwe and senior point guards Kobe Closeil and Sebastian Lalo.
5. Westfield (14-12) — The Blue Devils return virtually everyone. Senior guard Enzo Ferrero looked good returning to the football field Thanksgiving Day after a shoulder injury kept him out of several games. He and senior guard TyShawn Pearson were honorable mention All Union Conference players’ last season.
6. Montgomery (25-4) — The Cougars won their first Central Group 4 title since 2010 last season, went 10-0 in capturing a Skyland Valley Division title and lost a heartbreaker to Rutgers Prep in the Somerset County Tournament final. The good news is junior guard Ethan Lin, who missed the bulk of last season, returns, as does senior forward Bohdan Biekietov. Montgomery opened the season Saturday with a 48-44 loss to Hudson Catholic.
7. Ridge (15-10) — The Red Devils should be in position to improve. Senior sharpshooter Luke Kreitz was a first-team All-Raritan Division pick last season and senior guard Quinn Dashefsky was second team.
8. Watchung Hills (18-8) — The Warriors move up from the Skyland Raritan to the Delaware Division. Senior Zach Patetta was a first team all-Skyland Raritan last season. The Warriors will be very young in other spots.
9. New Providence (19-7) — Art Cattano will begin his 42nd season as coach when the Pioneers play at Rahway on Thursday. The Pioneers will be adjusting as they lost all-Union County Conference Valley Division first team players Corey Rust and Peyton Pazdera. Junior guard Alex Zamora will be a key as he moves to a starting role.
10. Hillsborough (15-9) — The Raiders suffered significant graduation losses, as Jayden Green, Zion Harrison and Phil Unagnst departed after being all-Delaware Division first team seasons. The Raiders will be led by 6-foot-4 senior Manny Rodriguez and senior point guard Lucas Rollan.
