Skyland Conference Recap

The Skyland Conference was one of the most competitive in the state this year and featured several teams which had banner seasons.

Season Recap

Coach Matt Bloom has turned Rutgers Prep into a power over the last half decade and his young Argonauts had a successful 20-7 record this past winter. Led by two electric freshmen, Jacob Canton and Andrew Kretkowski, along with junior Myles Parker, the Argos took on a "who's who" list of opponents over the course of the season. They scored wins over Camden Eastside and Paul VI to add on to a Somerset County title. The trio above returns, as do sophomore regulars Nicolas Nsenkyire and Logan Franz, a 6'11" center; along with freshman Rocco Loomis, giving Rutgers Prep a high ceiling next winter.

Phillipsburg High lost its opener at Watchung Hills and then embarked on a season to remember. The Stateliners won 20 games on the trot over the course of nearly two months before falling to Vernon in the Hunderton-Warren-Sussex tournament semifinal, which is one they will want back. While the season came to an end with a nailbiting loss to a surging Plainfield team in the state tournament, Todd Sigafoos and his squad will long be remembered in the town on the Delaware that loves to speak about its legends. Pburg graduates senior forwards Andrew Martin, Ameer Herran and Jayveon Jackson, taking serious size and production at both ends of the floor with them. All is not lost, however, as leading scorer Matthew Scerbo Jr, who is already over 1,100 points going into his final year, returns to lead the charge for the Stateliners next year.

Montgomery coach Kris Grundy knew they would be good this season. The question for them was how high was the ceiling? Their tight loss to Lenape opened an eye statewide to their potential but it was their dominating 78-62 victory over College Achieve on January 21st that was the true stamp of arrival. It sparked a run to the Somerset County Championship game and also to the Group IV State Semifinal. Montgomery finished 25-4 behind senior Steve Donahue, a guard who will attend Franklin&Marshall next fall. Montgomery will also lose Jack Fromelt, a key role player, but return their top two college prospects in 6'9" 2025 Bohdan Biekietov and 2026 guard Ethan Lin, who was hampered as a sophomore by injury.

Player Of The Year

Matthew Scerbo Jr, Phillipsburg

There are a number of contenders for this award but after long consideration we concluded that other programs without the nominees would still hold serve....but Scerbo was the bus driver for the Stateliners. The 6'2" junior, who also plays wide receiver for the powerhouse football team, is a college prospect on the court and also the gridirion. He averaged 20&5 as a junior and his scoring prowess would be difficult to replicate for Pburg. As such, Scerbo is our Skyland player of the year.

Skyland First Team Sensational Seven

Steve Donahue, Montgomery

Bohdan Biekietov, Montgomery

Myles Parker, Rutgers Prep

Jacob Canton, Rutgers Prep

Andrew Kretkowski, Rutgers Prep

Francis Denvir, Delaware Valley

Phil Unangst, Hillsborough

Skyland Second Team Sensational Seven

Andrew Martin, Phillipsburg

Ethan Lin, Montgomery

Trey Maultsby, Pingry

Nicolas Nsenkyire, Rutgers Prep

Jackson Morrison, Bound Brook

Chigozie Anyora, Immaculata

Cam Brown, Franklin

Skyland Third Team Sensational Seven

John Kelly, Watchung Hills

Donnie Gregory, Pingry

Zack Patteta, Watchung Hills

Tyler Kesolitz, Manville

Matthew Schwartz, Hunterdon Central

Luke Kreitz, Ridge

Ameer Herran, Phillipsburg

Final Rankings

1. Rutgers Prep(20-7)

2. Montgomery(25-4)

3. Phillipsburg(24-3)

4. Watchung Hills(18-8)

5. Hillsborough(15-9)

6. Pingry(16-8)

7. Delaware Valley(21-8)

8. Franklin(16-12)

9. Ridge(15-10)

10. Hunterdon Central(15-11)