Boys basketball preview: A look at the Skyland Conference and western UCC
SKYLAND CONFERENCE
Delaware Division
FRANKLIN
Coach: Kashif Foster, first season
Last season: 17-11
Top letterwinners lost: Cam Snowden (F), Jake Novielli (G)
Roster: Cam Brown (Sr., G, 6-3), Eli’sha Brown (Sr., G, 6-4), Devon Riddick (Sr., F, 6-8), Keith Morris (Sr., G, 5-8), Christian Lewis (Jr., G/F), Nyle McEachin (Jr., G, 5-10), Ajani Peck-Wekunda (Sr., F, 6-3), Jahnaad Cady (Fr., G, 6’0), Joseph Nwachukwu (Sr., F, 6-3)
Outlook: Foster, a 2007 Rutgers Prep and 2011 Felicia’s University grad, takes over as head coach and has a veteran-heavy team. The leaders will be Eli’sha and Cam Brown who made first and second team Skyland Delaware Division, respectively, last season. Both are three-year starters. The Warriors will need all that experience in the brutal Delaware Division. Foster spent the last several seasons as an assistant for former coaches Tony Mento and Matt Bloom.
More: Boys basketball rankings: Skyland Conference and area UCC preseason Top 10
More: Boys basketball: Central Jersey players to watch in 2023-24
GILL ST. BERNARDS
COACH: Mergin Sina, 20th season
LAST YEAR: 20-7
Top letterwinners lost: Nick Losada (Sr.), Luke Ruggiero (Sr.), Matthew Lardieri (Sr.), Ebrahim Kaba (Sr.), Andrew Hearn (Sr.), Mario Castro (Sr.),
ROSTER: Dorsett Mulcahy (So., G.), Sebastian Lalo (So.), Jon Ismajll (So.), Jacub Malecki (So F), Stanley Njweke (So., F)
Outlook: The Knights should be right back to contending for Somerset County and division titles. The Knights lost first team division players Mario Castro Sanchez and Nick Losada to graduation, and promising junior Kevin Pikiell, who transferred to Christian Brothers. But two sophomores who could dominate have transferred in from Ireland – 6-foot-6 wings Jacub Malecki and Stanley Njweke.
HILLSBOROUGH
Coach: Tim Palek, second season
Last season: 19-8, Skyland Raritan Division champs
Top lettermen lost: Ben Spitzer (G), Avery Whitney (G)
Roster: Phil Unangst (Sr., F), Jayden Green (Sr., G), Zion Harrison (Sr., F), Nick Losch (Sr., G), Lucas Rollan (Jr., G), Manny Rodriguez (Jr., C/F), Aadit Shah (Sr., G)
Outlook: The Raiders’ rise to respectability continued last year with a division title. Good times should continue, though things will be tougher, as Boro now shares a division with Gill St. Bernards, Rutgers Prep and Immaculata. The Raiders beat the Spartans twice in thrilling games to take the Raritan. But with four starters back from an outstanding season the team should be well equipped.
IMMACULATA
Coach: Ryan McKeever, 11th season
Last season: 19-6
Top letter winners lost: Davis Adams (G), Josh Williams (G), Sean Givens (G), Miles Tucker (F)
Roster: Jerrel Alston (Sr., G), Chigozzie Anyora (Sr., F), Cole Hayden (Jr., F/G), Luke Bryson (Sr., G), Josh Hibbert (G), Connor Stevens (G), Dyson Adams (F), Dante Regan (G), Nick Swartwood (Guard / Forward), Roscoe Davis (F), Michael James (F), Nate Simon (G), Jaden Ng (G), Braylon Colon (G)
Outlook: Despite losing three starters to graduation, the Spartans should still be in the mix in a very difficult division. St. Joseph-Metuchen transfer Dante Regan will be one of the keys.
RUTGERS PREP
Coach: Matt Bloom, seventh season
Last season: 22-8, Somerset County Tournament, Skyland Delaware Division co-champs
Top letter winners lost: Jadin Collins (G), Cameron Piggee (G), Jordan Atkins (G), Franklin Jones (G/F), Johnny Nsenkyire (G),
Roster: John Kelly (Sr., F), Myles Parker (Jr., G), Jayden Jenkins (Sr., F), Jaden Teyan (Fr., F), Donovan Piggeé (Jr., G), Logan Franz (So, C), Jacob Canton (Fr., G), Nicolas Nsenkyire (G., So).
Outlook: The defending Somerset County Tournament champions lost five contributors to graduation, then suffered a big offseason injury. Senior forward John Kelly, a first-team Skyland Delaware player, is likely lost to a season-ending injury. Junior 6-6 shooting guard Myles Parker will lead a talented young team. Sophomore. Logan Franz is a skilled 6-11 player who should be quite the defensive presence.
Raritan Division
BOUND BROOK
Coach: Anthony Melesurgo, 20th season
Last season: 22-5, Skyland Conference Valley champs
Top letter winners lost: Jordan Summers (C), Jordan Robinson (G)
Roster: Jeremiah Williams (Sr., G, 6-0), Jarred Wooden (Sr., G, 5-11), Jackson Morrison (Jr., G, 6-2), Anthony Riquelme (Sr., G, 6-2), Quaryn Roberts (Jr., C, 6-4)
Outlook: Bound Brook moves up a division once more. After going 30-0 in winning three straight Skyland Conference Valley Division titles, the Group 2 Crusaders face the challenge of having a steady diet of bigger opponents. They’ll have to do it without graduated Courier News Player of the Year Jordan Summers, now playing at Caldwell.
BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN
Coach: Gene McAteer, 16th season
Last Season: 7-17
Top Letterwinners Lost: Bryce Pantozzi
Roster: Trent Blissett (Sr., F, 6-3), Bobby Gillespie (Jr., F, 6-3.), Matthew Lyne (Sr., G, 6-0), John Magner (Sr., PG, 6-2), Trey McKeever (Sr., F 6-0), Brody Nussman (Jr., G, 5-8), Justin Rondinone (Sr., G, 5-10), Colin Woodring (Sr., G, 5-10), Yuvraj Sharma (Sr., G)
Outlook: B-R is aiming for its first winning season since 2018, when it went 14-13. The club has been committed with significant offseason work. Magner has been one of the team’s cogs. He was second on the team in scoring last season. Woodring and Nussman were second in 3-pointers made.
HUNTERDON CENTRAL
Coach: Tristen DeFazio, third season
Last season: 11-15
Top letter winners lost: Tyler Brickley (G), Josh Wilhelm (F)
Roster: Ethan Diogene (Sr., G, 5-9), Cameron Diogene (Jr., G, 5-10), Matthew Schwartz (Sr., G, 6-3), Timothy D'Alessandro (Jr., G, 6-0), Nicholas Verrelli (Sr., G, 5-9), Hayden Landi, (Sr., G/F, 6-1), Landyn Marsh (Sr., G/F, 6-2), Carson Hilfiker (Sr., G/F, 6-0), Ethan Squire (Sr., F, 6-4), Alec Grinbaum (Jr., G, 6-1), Weston Shirk (Jr., F, 6-5),
Outlook: Central has raised its record the last two seasons. The trend figures to continue with returning second-team all-division player and guard Matt Schwartz, and honorable mention pick Weston Shirk back. Schwartz led the team in points (394) and Shirk with rebounds (110).
RIDGE
Coach: Bill Lester, first season
Last Season: 20-6
Top Lettermen Lost: Troy Barrett (G), Nikola Borovicanin (G), Kevin Castronovo (G), Liam Clark (F), Matt Fabbio (F)
Roster: Owen Chwatek (Sr., G, 5-11), Trevor Dour (Sr., G, 6-2), James Grimaldi (Sr., F, 6-4), Milan Borovicanin (Jr., F, 6-5), Quinn Dashefsky (Jr., G, 6-0), Luke Kreitz (Jr., G, 5-11), Josh Schapiro (Jr., G, 6-0)
Outlook: Lester takes over for successful longtime coach Brian Feath, who stepped down earlier this year after 12 seasons. Lester was an assistant for Feath and played for him when both were at Middlesex High School. He’ll take over for a team that lost quite a bit to graduation. Owen Chwatek, Luke Kreitz and Quinn Dashefsky are the experienced players here. James Grimaldi and Milan Borovicanin will be the bigs. Kreitz averaged 8.8 points per game and was second on the team in 3-pointers with 49 to Kevin Castronovo’s 53 last season.
WATCHUNG HILLS
Coach: Justin Salton, 15th season
Last Season: 14-12
Top Letterwinners lost: Aleck Graf, Brayden Kolakowski!,Tommy Morris, Deniz Yildirmaz, Bryan Zhang
Roster: Aidan Hockmeyer (Sr., G, 5-9), John Kelly (Sr., G, 6-2), Vicente Lllanes (Sr., G, 5-7), Zack Patetta (Jr, F, 6-4), Dean Smith (Jr., G, 6-2), Evan Walter (Jr., G, 5-10)
Outlook: The Warriors hope to extend their streak of winning seasons to seven. Kelly, Hockmeyer, Smith, Patella and Llanes will be the starters. Kelly led the teams with 360 points and 100 rebounds and was an all-division honorable mention pick.
More: Football awards: Central Jersey and Big Central Conference postseason honors index
Valley Division
DELAWARE VALLEY
Coach: Michael DePaolo, eighth season
Last season: 23-5, Skyland Conference Mountain champs
Top letterwinners lost: Justin Kolpan (G), Shane Young (F)
Roster: Frank Denvir (Sr., G), Jack Reardon (Sr., F), Danny Shapiro (Sr., G), Eric Klemmer (Jr., F), Kevin Hults (Sr., G), Pat O’Boyle (Jr. F, 6-2)
Outlook: The Terriers move up to the Valley Division after a third straight Mountain title. They bring a wealth of experience with them. Reardon and Klemmer were all-division second team players last season. Frank Denvir (20.7 PPG) and Danny Shapiro return as vocal leaders, while Jack Reardon and Eric Klemmer have stepped up. Haze Puttlitz is expected to be an immediate post presence. Pat O’Boyle and Will Weckesser have impressed in the offseason.
MONTGOMERY
Coach: Kris Grundy, 19th season
Last season: 11-14
Top letterwinners lost: Luke Smith, Matt Levy, JT Simborski
Roster: Steve Donohue (Sr., G), Ethan Lin (So., G), Miggy Aguilar (Sr., F), Bohdan Biekietov (Jr., F.), Christian Hill (Jr., F)
Outlook: The Cougars drop down to the Valley Division and should really be a factor after a subpar 2022-23. Franklin & Marshall commit Steve Donohue is back after missing virtually all of last season with injury as is sophomore Ethan Lin – an all-division player last season after leading the Cougars in scoring with 279 points and third on the team with 3-pointers made (29).
NORTH HUNTERDON
Coach: Kyle Rehrig, 14th season
Last season: 11-15
Top letterwinners lost: Tommy Mazurkiewicz (F), Jack Clancy-Mallue (F), Ryan Gilhooly (G), Luke Martini (F),
Roster: James DelSantro (Sr., G), Cole Hekler (Sr., G,), Nick Marra (Jr., F, 6-1), Liam McGreal (Sr., G), Nate Reinagel (Sr., F), Michael Seifert (Sr., G, 5-11), Bryce Readie (Jr., G).
Outlook: All-division player James Delsantro led the team in scoring (389 points), 3s (50) and was second with assists (64).
PINGRY
Coach: Jason Murdock, 17th season
Last season: 13-10
Top letterwinners lost: Jake Abdi (F)
Roster: Trey Maultsby Sr. G), Josh Woodford Sr. G), Graham Stevens (Sr. F)
Mike Hollomon (Sr., C), Mason Vance (Sr., C), Stefan Fahmy (Jr. G), Dylan Blekicki (Jr. G), Steven Lentz (Sr., F), Donnie Gregory (So., G), Caleb Polance (So., G), Dylan Cowell (Fr.), Ryan Rust (Fr.), Neel Sappidi (Fr.)
Outlook: Four of five starters return with senior Trey Maultsby (17 PPG, 7 RPG) and sophomore Donnie Gregory (14 PPG) among the leaders. They made first and second team all division last season Two one-point losses to Bound Brook were the difference in the Big Blue’s second place division finish. Coach Jason Murdock says, ‘our tempo and athleticism will be our strengths.’
SOMERVILLE
Coach: Chris Nevolo, seventh season
Last season: 11-15
Top letterwinners lost: Gavin Craig (SG), Kevin Reilly (F), Sasha Phillips (F)
Roster: Quinn Carran (Sr., F), Miles Hubbard (Sr., SG), Brady Scheier (Jr.,PG, 5-7), Chase Insabella (Sr., F), Tim LaCanna (So., F),, Brenden Pacheco (Jr., PF).
Outlook: The Pioneers have a nice 1-2 with junior guard Brady Scheier and senior forward Quinn Carran. Scheier was a second team all-Valley team player. He was the team’s second leading scorer (374 points), led with assists (71) and threes (59). Carran scored 292 points and 92 rebounds.
VOORHEES
Coach: Kevin Schafer, 7th season
Last season: 9-15
Top letterwinners lost: Connor Duggan (G), Joe Furka (G), Aiden Pierro (G), Billy Colantano (G),
Roster: Dom Desire (Sr., F), Alex Kinsky (Sr., G), Jackson Trego (Soph, G/F), Jackson Trevaskiss (Jr., G), Jake Vernieri (Jr., G), Rob Cassavell (Jr., F), Logan Direny (So., G), Zeke Hanley (So., G), Kyle Beers (So., G)
Outlook: The Vikings lost significant talent to graduation and will be very young. Junior point guard Jake Vernieri will be counted on to lead the offense and the versatile wing Jackson Trego.
Mountain Divison
BERNARDS
Coach: Alec Johnson, first season
Last season: 11-16
Top letterwinners lost: Hayden Byrne (G), Tejin Beckerman (G)
Roster: Ryan Gaglione (Sr., SG), Logan Marks (Sr., SF), Connor Laverty (Sr. C), Gabe Morales (Sr., SF), Will Frank (Sr., PG), Simon Bramwit (Sr., C), Matt Mariani (Sr., SG), Charlie Giebel (Sr., F), Fernando Collado (Sr., PG), Montgomery Douglas (So.), Danny Ferguson (Jr.), Aiden Gribben (Jr.)
Outlook: The Mountaineers aim to sustain the success of the school’s fall teams. Alec Johnson, assistant last season, replaces Jared Sina, who stepped down after two seasons. Bernards is the division favorite with its top four scorers back. Connor Laverty, who led the Mountaineer football team to an unprecedented sectional title as quarterback, returns as center. He made first team all-division last year, leading the club with 334 points Senior shooting guard Gabriel Morales was the team’s second leading scorer with 267 points and was second team all division. Point guard Will Frank scored 196 points and was all division honorable mention. Ryan Gaglione was fourth in scoring at 191.
MANVILLE
Coach: Bill Rooney, third season
Last season: 13-13
Top Letterwinners Lost: Shawn Purcell (F), Logan Klementovicz (F), Stefhan Ross (G)
Roster: Austin Chaya (Sr., G), Josh D’Ambrosio (So., G), Tyler Kesolitz (Sr., G),
Edryn Morales (Jr.., G), Irving Rodriguez (Jr.., G) Aidan Shimp (Sr., F), Brandon Shimp (So., F.), Collin Shimp (F, So.), Na’quavere Thomas (Jr.., F) Luke Xenophontos (So.,G.),
Outlook: From 12-13 and 1-7 in division play in 2021-22, to 13-13 and 5-3 last season with a second straight Central I playoff win. The Mustangs return a group of players and some depth to keep moving up from a team that was in the division race until the season's end. Tyler Kesolitz was first team all-division last season and Edryn Morales second team. Kesolitz led the team in scoring with 328 points and 68 3-pointers. Morales was team leader in steals (56) and second in scoring (205 points). He also pulled in 100 rebounds.
SOUTH HUNTERDON
Coach: Dennis Jordan, first season
Last season: 12-13
Top letter winners lost: Bodie Dunn (F), Brayden Hinman (F), Bryson Johnson (G), Jack Godown (G), Tanner McCaffrey (G), Thomas Warms (F), Tommy Ramsin (G).
Roster: Aaron Zalescik (Sr., F), Elio Ambrosino (Sr., G/F), Aaron Parisi (Jr., G), Alex Romano (Sr., G), Jon Carlos DeJesus (Sr., F), Dillon Gallagher (Sr., F), Connor Keys (So., G), Dayton Ratkowski (So., G), Landon Katz (So., G), Dominik Zawadzki (Jr., F), Tyler Clark (Jr., F), Dominic Carlucci (Jr., F).
Outlook: Dennis Jordan is the new coach and has brought an outstanding resume. He was a 1,000-point scorer at Delran High School and led Burlington County in scoring scorer three straight seasons. He went on to start for four years at Quinnipiac University and was team captain, then a graduate assistant coach. He coached the Delran junior varsity for a season and was a South assistant last season to departed coach Shayle Keating. Jordan inherits a team that lost eight of its top 10 scorers. But it’s leader - Aaron Zalescik (284 points) – returns after making first team all-division. The Eagles should get a boost from several players who’ve decided to return after not playing the sport for a few years.
UNION COUNTY CONFERENCE
GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON
Coach: Chris Loeffler, 9th season
Last season: 8-12
Top letterwinners lost: John Schmidt (F), Kyle Bade (F)
Roster: Patrick McGrath (Sr., G), Ryan Bennett (C), Will Sottosanti (Sr., F), Kyle McCulloch (Sr., G), Lev Villanueva (Sr., G), John Fajardo (Sr., F), Michael Basile (So., G)! Max Ryvicker (So., G)! Dominick Labisi (So., F)
Outlook: GL is banking on a strong connection of five starting seniors who’ve been playing together since elementary school days. The club has a good blend of youth and experience.
NEW PROVIDENCE
Coach: Art Cattano, 41st season
Last season:15-11
Top letterwinners lost: Matt Smith
Roster: Jackson Zarinko (Sr.), Andrew Nook (Sr.), Corey Rust (Sr.), Peyton Pazdera (Sr.), Andrew Kowantz (Jr.), Luke Ondrejko (Sr.)
Outlook: Enough talent is here for the Pioneers to win section and division titles. Senior Cory Rust averaged a team-high 12.5 points and was third with 6.8 rebounds a game.
SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD
Coach: Steve Siracusa, 10th season
Last season: 16-10
Top letterwinners lost: Khadar Jackson and Matt Nervi.
Roster: Anderson Pollack (Jr., G), Jadien Carpien (Jr., G), Sam Sponheimer (Sr., F), Kyle Hunter (Sr., G), Jack Wall (Sr., F), Jack Sponheimer (Jr., G)
Outlook: Coach Steve Siracusa is eager to see what the underclassmen can bring. The Raiders lost two outstanding players to graduation, but talented depth should get them to at least 15 wins.
UNION CATHOLIC
Coach: Jim Reagan, 22nd season
Last season: 21-9
Top letter winners lost: Chimeziri Okeoma (G), Keyshawn Winchester (G), Raheem Williams.
Roster: Jhan Acosta (Jr., G), AJ Altobelli (Jr., G), Yaw Ansong (Jr., F), AJ Kwiatkoski (Jr., F), FK Muntari (Jr., F), Elijah Peters (Sr., G/F), Riley Ramirez (Jr., F), John Roder (Sr., G), Luke Schorr (Jr., G), Paul Shyposh (Jr., F), Xavier Thompson (Fr., G), Greg Viloria (So., G), Terrance Wood (Sr., F)
Outlook: The defending Non-Public A state champs should be in position to make another run toward the top. Junior guard A.J. Altobelli was a first team all-Union County Mountain Division player. Junior 7-foot forward Yaw Ansong is another outstanding piece. The Vikings also got transfers Jhan Acosta (junior guard) and Luke Schorr (junior guard) during the off season. Coach Jim Reagan believes the biggest early test will be getting the team to gel. The Vikings were 8-8 before taking off last season.
WESTFIELD
Coach: Jim McKeon III, fourth season
Last season: 17-10
Top letterwinners lost: TJ Halloran, Theo Sica
Roster: Shane Sheehan (Jr.), Zack Epp (Jr.), Tyshawn Pearson (Jr.,), Enzo Ferraro (Jr.), Farid Habayeb (Jr.), Will Kirby (Jr.), Connor Whelan (Soph), Stephen Edwards (Sr.,), Max MacEacheron (So.), Jake Russell (So.), Jonny Sina (Jr.), Aidan Wall (So.), Sam Zafar (Jr.), Ethan Zhu (Jr.), Quinton Cummings (So.)
Outlook: Senior Shane Sheehan was one of three Blue Devils to earn a spot on the deep Union County Conference All-Watchung Division team. Juniors Zack Epp and Tyshawn Pearson were all-division honorable mention. The 6-foot-8 Sheehan was second on the team with 304 points and led in rebounds with 232. Pearson had 90 steals and Epp was second on the team with 28 three-pointers.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Boys basketball preview: A look at the Skyland and area UCC
