Unsung heroes: These North Jersey boys basketball players do all the little things
These are the "Unsung Heroes" of North Jersey boys basketball, players who do so many of the little things that don't show up in the box scores.
Here are the seniors, program veterans who start or are sixth men, who don't average double-digit scoring but they rebound, pass, play defense and are greatly appreciated by their coaches.
Nash Appell, West Milford
The 6-foot Appell contributes in all areas and is the team’s leader and one of its smartest players. He averages 5.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals.
“He knows everything we’re trying to run on both sides of the floor,” Highlanders coach Mac Morando said. “He guards the other team’s best player, rebounds on both ends and is someone the coaching staff really trusts.”
Ryan Balatbat, Waldwick
The 6-1 Balatbat has been a key to the Warriors climbing above .500. He is a strong defender and perimeter shooter and averages 7.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
“He is your classic ‘3 and D’ guy,” said coach Eddie Rendzio, who this season earned his 400th career win. “He’s all about the team and is a great teammate. He’s a coach’s dream with his work ethic and versatility.”
AJ Batelli, Westwood
Batelli is 6-3 and 230 pounds and was a lineman on the Cardinals’ unbeaten, Group 2 championship football team. He averages 2.5 points and 5.0 rebounds.
“He may be one of the toughest players in the county – just ask the teams we have played,” coach Rob Carcich said. “His ‘no fear’ attitude has helped us rebound from an 0-3 start as he works himself into game shape.”
Shane Buoye, Pascack Valley
The 6-1 Buoye is the point guard and among the new starters who have helped turn around the Panthers after a slow start. He averages 8.0 points, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals.
“Shane is a quiet leader on the court who has stepped up in a big way for Valley,” coach Al Coleman said. “He always defends the opponent’s best guard and consistently makes the right decisions on the court to ensure the team’s overall success.”
Hudson Devine, Wayne Valley
The 5-10 Devine is the point guard who triggers the Indians’ transition game and is a disruptor on defense. He averages 6.4 points and 6.6 assists.
“Hudson is the epitome of a point guard,” said Joe Leicht, current dean of North Jersey coaches. “Cool under fire, unflappable, and ready to distribute the ball first to his teammates. Without Hudson, we would lack that spark that makes us go.”
Lukas Faasse, Eastern Christian
The 6-foot Faasse is a leader on and off the court and contributes in all facets of the game. He averages 7.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and one steal.
“Lukas will confer with the coaches during halftime and timeouts to offer suggestions or tweaks the team can make,” Eagles coach Jeremy Mulder said. “Nine times out of 10, those suggestions work.”
LJ Falconi, St. Mary
Falconi has a smooth shooting stroke for a 6-5 player. His 44 3-pointers helps him average 9.9 points, and he also grabs 3.5 rebounds for the defending NJIC champions.
“LJ has expanded his game each year and continues to improve on both ends of the floor,” Gaels coach Brian Gaccione said. “He’s contributed to our success and has done everything we have asked him to do.”
Anthony Franchina, Indian Hills
The 6-foot Franchina has quietly helped the Braves win a majority of games decided by six points or less. He averages 4.4 points, 3.3 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals.
“AJ is one of the most competitive people we have ever had in our program,” coach Nick De Carlo said. “He does not prioritize personal stats; his singular focus is winning and what he can do to make us better as a team.”
Danny Francisco, Rutherford
The 5-10 Francisco has made a major impact for the Bulldogs after missing last season with a torn ACL. He averages 9.8 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 steals.
“Danny is a tenacious defensive player and our best perimeter shooter,” coach Jamie Parnofiello said. “It is a pleasure coaching someone like Danny, who has always been a leader by example and has emerged this year as a vocal leader as well.”
Terrell Griffith, Dwight Morrow
The 5-6 Griffith is a key part of the Maroon Raiders' drive toward a Bergen Jamboree bid. He averages five points and two assists and is a solid defender on and off the ball.
"A lot of his in-game work goes unnoticed because he is not kid that's going to fill up your stat sheet," coach Andre Hampton said. "However, he is the the kid that will dive after the loose balls and step in for charges in crucial moments."
Yuval Guttman, Tenafly
The 5-9 Guttman has been instrumental in the Tigers’ run to the Bergen County Jamboree quarterfinals. He averages 9.7 points, has taken double-digit charges and more than 30 career.
“Yuval is the type of player every coach wants,” coach Jeff Koehler said. “He is unselfish, puts the team first, understands his role, gets on the floor, takes charges against guys twice his size and is a leader among men.”
Bryan Hernandez, Ridgefield Park
The 6-1 Hernandez is a talented athlete who has recently elevated his game to another level. He averages 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds and defends the opponent’s best player.
“Showcasing growth as a player, and maturity in every aspect of life, Bryan has helped take his game, and this team, to a very competitive level nightly,” Scarlets coach Chris Gaskin said. “It’s truly gratifying to see an athlete come into his own, especially as a senior.”
Hamza Ibrahim, Passaic Valley
At 6-foot, Ibrahim is an undersized center who has helped the team win more than its share of close games. He averages 9.2 points, six rebounds and one assist.
“He has a high IQ of the game, a committed, dedicated player to the Hornet program,” coach Kevin Tuohey said. “He’s a vocal leader on and off the court and leads by example. When he plays well, we are always in position to win.”
Freddie Kanning, Northern Highlands
Kanning is a 6-3 center and first-year starter who has helped make the Highlanders one of North Jersey’s biggest surprises. He averages 9.6 points and 6.5 rebounds.
“Freddie is the epitome of what you want in a player as a coach,” coach Jonathan Schmitt said. “He is tough, hard-working and wants what is best for the team. He is going to bring his best effort every day and leads by example.”
Matt Lee, Demarest
The 5-9 Lee is the Norsemen’s sixth man who last week broke a bone in his foot. He averages two points, but more significantly, provided late-game defense.
“Matt is everything you want in a team player,” coach Pat Gabriele said. “He doesn’t care how many points he scores as long as the team wins. He does all the little things that have helped us get to 13-4, a total program player.”
Filip Lyczko, Wallington
The 5-11 Lyczko has played every important minute for a team that has dramatically improved since the start of the season. He averages 7.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.1 steals.
“He wants the ball in the biggest moments and is our leader on the court,” Panthers coach Anthony Alessio said. “He is our third assistant with how much time he puts in watching film and in preparation for each game.”
Miguel Manalang, Bergen Tech
The 5-6 Manalang is the point guard and leads the team in minutes at almost 31 per game. He averages 6.5 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists for the much-improved Knights.
“Miguel controls our offense, gets players in the right spots, and at times guards the other team’s best offensive player,” coach Stephan Lastra said, adding, “I haven’t heard one excuse from him during his four years of varsity basketball.”
Ryan Matthews, Mahwah
The 5-7 Matthews is willing to do the dirty work while battling bigger players. He averages 3.5 points, 4.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals for the T-Birds.
“Ryan is the toughest player I have coached in my 25 years. He goes 100 miles per hour in practice and games and is the ultimate teammate,” coach Mike Branagh said. “He has lost teeth, broke his nose, and never complains.”
Lamar Mcqueen, Kennedy
The 5-8 Mcqueen made two win-clinching free throws in the season opener and continues to be clutch at the foul line. He averages 5.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
“With his toughness and fearlessness, he gives the young team a great amount of heart,” Knights coach Tommie Patterson said. “There is not one aspect of Lamar’s game that leaves you in awe, but he does everything well and we are better when he is on the floor.”
Noah Miranda, Lodi
The 6-1 Miranda has been integral to the program earning a Bergen Jamboree automatic bid and BIT win. He averages 9.6 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one steal.
“Noah is a primary ball handler and defends the other team’s leading scorer every night,” Rams coach Nico Velez said. “He is a high-character young man and exemplifies the type of player every program needs.”
Jaylen Robinson, Bergen Catholic
The 6-3 Robinson’s is the Crusaders’ lone senior and recently returned after missing several games due to a concussion. He averages 4.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.2 blocks.
“He means so much to us as a leader both on and off the court,” coach Billy Armstrong said. “He is also one of our hardest-working players and is always tasked with guarding our opponent’s best player. Jaylen sets the tone for us with his tough defense and rebounding.”
Zach Schnorrbusch, Ramapo
The 6-1 Schnorrbusch started on last year’s Group 3 title team and recently returned after suffering an injury during the football season. He averages one point, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
“Zach is the best defender we have and one of the best in North Jersey, in my opinion,” Green Raiders coach Nick Vier said. “He’s a tough kid and competitor and provides our team depth whether he starts or is first off our bench.”
Rick Son, Ridgewood
The 6-foot Son is a point guard who often defends the opponent’s best guard. He averages two points, two rebounds and two assists and draws key charges.
“He has only one speed and that is overdrive, where he plays himself to exhaustion,” Maroons coach Mike Troy said. “His stats do not reflect the impact he has on our culture or our success.”
Jason Ziemba, Emerson
The 5-11 Ziemba is a heady coach’s son known for his long-range shooting and he has more than 100 career 3-pointers in three varsity seasons. He averages 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists and has drawn a team-high 15 charges.
“Jason is a total team player,” said John Ziemba, longtime coach and Jason’s father. “He plays for the name on the front of his jersey.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ boys basketball: Players who are North Jersey's unsung heroes
