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Boys basketball rankings: Skyland Conference and area UCC preseason Top 10

harry frezza jr.
·2 min read

Here are preseason boys basketball rankings among Somerset, Hunterdon and area Union county teams.(last year’s records in parenthesis)

1. Union Catholic (21-9) -- 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) in over the offseason.

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2. Rutgers Prep (22-8) -- 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-foot-6 shooting guard Myles Parker will lead a talented young team.

3. Gill St Bernards (19-8) -- The Knights lost first-team division players Mario Castro Sanchez and Nick Losada. Returning leaders include junior Dorsett Mulcahy.

4. Hillsborough (19-8) -- Is this team strong enough to break the Rutgers Prep-Gill St. Bernards Somerset County stranglehold? Four starters return from a club that won the Skyland Raritan title.

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5. Immaculata (19-6) -- The Spartans have the firepower and muscle to run with everyone on the schedule. Senior Jerrel Alston led the team in assists. Junior Cole Hayden and senior Chigiozie Anyora have been outstanding defensive players. Anyora was second on the team with 113 rebounds.

6. Westfield (17-10) -- 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.

7. New Providence (15-12) -- 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.

8. Pingry (13-10) -- The Big Blue could be the best small school team in the region. Senior Trey Maultsby and sophomore Donnie Gregory made first and second team All Skyland Valley, respectively, last season.

9. Franklin (17-11) -- Seniors Cam Brown and Elisha Brown give the Warriors an outstanding core. Cam Brown was second on the team in scoring and Elisha Brown was second in rebounding.

10. Montgomery (11-14) -- Senior Steven Donohue missed virtually all of last season with injury. Now healthy with an athletic cast around him should be a significant Cougars upgrade.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Boys basketball rankings: Skyland and area UCC preseason Top 10