The Ridiculous State of HS Basketball in NJ

[colbert17]

Some how, some way the NJSIAA has to find a way to put a stop to this. The recruitment and transfers involved in high school sports in this state are so over the top I don't think it can come back to reality. It's not just parochial schools anymore. St. Mary's and Mater Dei were average at best programs now both are suddenly state powerhouses??? I'd be interested in how many of the players on both their rosters are transfers. Mater Dei is the most alarming. Their rise to power seems to coincide with the dismissal of their head coach of 19 years and the hiring of Ben Gamble, former Hurley assistant. Someone at both St. Mary's and Mater Dei decided that they needed a high profile basketball program. Please don't cite this as necessary for the schools survival. The St. Anthony's/Hurley situation is unique. In the long run doing this is not an advantage to keeping the school open. Ask St. Patrick's and their alumni.
I know what I'm asking is impossible and I guess that it won't happen.
http://www.nj.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/02/hoops_power_packs_roster_from_overseas_state_quest.html

 

[G- RUnit]

The Miracle of St. Anthony's?

Started it all.

How about the destruction of New Jersey High School Athletics?

 

[Seton75]

Some how, some way the NJSIAA has to find a way to put a stop to this. The recruitment and transfers involved in high school sports in this state are so over the top I don't think it can come back to reality. It's not just parochial schools anymore. St. Mary's and Mater Dei were average at best programs now both are suddenly state powerhouses??? I'd be interested in how many of the players on both their rosters are transfers. Mater Dei is the most alarming. Their rise to power seems to coincide with the dismissal of their head coach of 19 years and the hiring of Ben Gamble, former Hurley assistant. Someone at both St. Mary's and Mater Dei decided that they needed a high profile basketball program. Please don't cite this as necessary for the schools survival. The St. Anthony's/Hurley situation is unique. In the long run doing this is not an advantage to keeping the school open. Ask St. Patrick's and their alumni.
I know what I'm asking is impossible and I guess that it won't happen.
http://www.nj.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/02/hoops_power_packs_roster_from_overseas_state_quest.html

My son played ball for that coach. He was a decent guy and OK coach. But the difference between him and Gamble is light years. Danny Werner went to the grammar school associated with Mater Dei as did Todd Billet. But they went to CBA to play ball at a higher level. Maybe now these kinds of kids stay home. Mater Dei was going our of business. The parish and diocese wanted to deep six them. Alums raised a couple of million and took it over. And btw, they did the same thing in FB, hiring a coach from Polly Prep in Brooklyn who will make there fb team a power (state champs this year!). One of the stars is committed to RU, Eddie Lewis.

In my son's day, no matter how weak the MD team was, Pt Beach was always an easy win. Now they are a power too. Ranney was a joke and now they are top rated at the shore.

Maybe this wont work. But the other way didn't work. Putting up 2 mill and changing nothing...THAT would have been madness.

And, the comparison to Patrick School and St As really isn't accurate - urban vs suburban...

 

[colbert17]

My son played ball for that coach. He was a decent guy and OK coach. But the difference between him and Gamble is light years. Danny Werner went to the grammar school associated with Mater Dei as did Todd Billet. But they went to CBA to play ball at a higher level. Maybe now these kinds of kids stay home. Mater Dei was going our of business. The parish and diocese wanted to deep six them. Alums raised a couple of million and took it over. And btw, they did the same thing in FB, hiring a coach from Polly Prep in Brooklyn who will make there fb team a power (state champs this year!). One of the stars is committed to RU, Eddie Lewis.

In my son's day, no matter how weak the MD team was, Pt Beach was always an easy win. Now they are a power too. Ranney was a joke and now they are top rated at the shore.

Maybe this wont work. But the other way didn't work. Putting up 2 mill and changing nothing...THAT would have been madness.

And, the comparison to Patrick School and St As really isn't accurate - urban vs suburban...

Thanks for the info on MD. Forgot about the situation at Ranney.
Only one thing. The comparison between St. Anthonys and St.Pat's. Which one is suburban??? I'm guessing you mean St. Pats??? I'm an alum and the school was located down the Port in Elizabeth. Couldn't get more urban than that. Never supported what was done down there by Boyle. It killed the school.
The Patrick School's new location I believe is in Hillside right on the Newark border. Also a very urban area.

 

[motorb54]

He meant MD is suburban
while the other two are urban.

 

[colbert17]

He meant MD is suburban
while the other two are urban.

Oops!! Sorry about that.
Would any of you guys be able to tell me how many players at MD are from outside Monmouth County???

 

[rootgers2011]

Hasn't St. Mary's been closed for 2 years now?

 

[Seton75]

Oops!! Sorry about that.
Would any of you guys be able to tell me how many players at MD are from outside Monmouth County???

Gamble brought the mccoristan players with him - that school closed right before MD hired gamble. That is 2 or 3 from Middlesex county around south amboy, which is no further than the distance many kids have traveled to attend CBA. They have a kid from Holmdel who just transferred in. They have some player from ocean county. Kids want to play for gamble and they find a way. I would say most are not from Monmouth county. But I am guessing.

 

[Seton75]

Hasn't St. Mary's been closed for 2 years now?

St Mary's Elizabeth is open and has a terrific team. Lots of talent in union county.

Btw, naz reid is from Asbury park.

 

[TDIrish27]

Private Schools should have their own leagues IMO.

If Public schools want to schedule them fine

Public Schools do not have clean hands either. The situation at Paterson Eastside currently is ridiculous.

In football Timber Creek , Montclair and some others are as bad as the Parochials.

 

[pawildcat]

Private Schools should have their own leagues IMO.

If Public schools want to schedule them fine

Public Schools do not have clean hands either. The situation at Paterson Eastside currently is ridiculous.

In football Timber Creek , Montclair and some others are as bad as the Parochials.

That was certainly a fascinating story at Paterson Eastside. At least in NJ you have separate public and private championships, correct? We could use that in Pa.

 

[Friend of 112]

...Mater Dei was going our of business. The parish and diocese wanted to deep six them. Alums raised a couple of million and took it over. And btw, they did the same thing in FB, hiring a coach from Polly Prep in Brooklyn who will make there fb team a power (state champs this year!)...

That coach is none other then Dino Mangiero RU '80

Gamble brought the mccoristan players with him - that school closed right before MD hired gamble....

I'm sure you mean Cardinal McCarrick which closed around that time. McCorristin is still open but rebranded as Trenton Catholic

 

[Seton75]

That coach is none other then Dino Mangiero RU '80


I'm sure you mean Cardinal McCarrick which closed around that time. McCorristin is still open but rebranded as Trenton Catholic

Yes, sorry, must had Bryan Caver on my kind...

And yes, Dino is gonna have kids flock to MD. Their QB, who is from Matawan, was set to attend st Joe's of montvale, but switched to md, I am sure after dino was hired.

 

[RJM_Go_RU]

Really ridiculous with these high schools importing atheletes from other towns and even other states and countries. Lost sense of priorities. Focus on education.

 

[Section124]

Yes, sorry, must had Bryan Caver on my kind...

And yes, Dino is gonna have kids flock to MD. Their QB, who is from Matawan, was set to attend st Joe's of montvale, but switched to md, I am sure after dino was hired.

Or maybe the fact SJR already had a QB. They won the Non-Public Group 3 title and ended #1 in state. He would have just sat on the bench. Good for him to stay local.