Season Recap
Saint Peter's Prep climbed the mountain in Hudson County using a deep and talented guard based roster. Led by senior guard Nico Pena, one of the most under-recruited players in the state, the Marauders charged their way to a 26-3 season, capped off with a Divisional and County title, along with a trip to the North Jersey Non Public A Final. They downed their rivals Hudson Catholic twice, with both games being instant classics that will long live in the lore of Jersey Basketball. Their only defeats came to two state champions(College Achieve and Bosco) and a county champion(Saint Benedict's).
Hudson Catholic matched Saint Peter's blow-for-blow in two games this year but came up just short in both the regular season and county final. A talented backcourt was led by Auburn bound Tahaad Pettiford and Penn recruit Alex Massung. Hudson finished 21-9 and took on one of the most difficult non-divisional slates in the state, with all of their defeats coming to State Ranked or National level opponents. While they graduate, the returning players gives Nick Maraniello plenty to be buzzing about looking ahead to next year.
Memorial New York had a season for the history books behind seniors Lewis Pantaleon and Jonas Herrera. They won a game in the county tournament and lost a tight game to Ridgewood in the sectional semifinals, finishing 19-8 on the year. Pantaleon and Herrera graduate, along with Edward Lugo, Jaeda Boykins and Lazaro Cruz, leaving a big hole, but this senior class accomplished something special.
Hoboken was the leader amongst the smaller schools in the county, finishing 22-6 on the season and advancing to the sectional final. With Group I All State selections Lamir Boxley and Nick Petruzelli returning next winter, along with Nico Esposito, they could be a team to watch once again.
Player Of The Year
Tahaad Pettiford, Hudson Catholic
One of the most electric scorers New Jersey has seen in some time, Pettiford rebounded from an injury saddled junior season and had a fantastic senior year, including multiple 40 point outings. The Auburn commit drove the bus for a talented Hudson Catholic team this year. While they fell to a very balanced and deep Saint Peter's team twice, Pettiford was the glue for Hudson the entire season.
HCIAL First Team Sensational Seven
Nico Pena, Saint Peter's Prep
Richie Rosa, Saint Peter's Prep
Alex Massung, Hudson Catholic
Keith McKnight, Hudson Catholic
Peyton Miller, Saint Peter's Prep
Lewis Pantaleon, Memorial of West NY
Mason Santiago, Saint Peter's Prep
HCIAL Second Team Sensational Seven
Omari Moore, Hudson Catholic
Austin Spencer, Saint Peter's Prep
Mike Cunningham, Bayonne
Jonas Herrera, Memorial of West NY
Lamir Boxley, Hoboken
Nick Petruzelli, Hoboken
Anthony Gonzalez, Union City
HCIAL Third Team Sensational Seven
Markeis Isley-Monroe, Dickinson
Jaylen Sims, Bayonne
Noah Shaw, Bayonne
Tomas Monteiro, Dickinson
Jayvon Rampersant, Hudson Catholic
Jaeda Boykins, Memorial of West NY
Edward Lugo, Memorial of West NY
Final Rankings
Saint Peter's Prep(26-3)
Hudson Catholic(21-9)
Memorial(19-8)
Dickinson(18-8)
Bayonne(14-13)
Hoboken(22-6)
Union City(12-15)
McNair(14-12)
Ferris(13-10)
Kearny(12-12)
