Iron Hills Conference-Iron

DAILY RECORD

BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Friday, December 14, 2007

Iron Hills Conference-Iron

Morris Knolls

Coach:Ken Ferrare, second year.

Last year: 4-20.

Key losses: F Tyler Smith, F Nick Marcello, G Sean Drury.

Returning letterwinners: Sr. C Pete Leonetti (6-3,190), Sr. F J. J. Boylan (6-2,210), Sr. F Kellen Cardio (6-2,180), Sr. G Brandon Danzy (5-10,170), Sr. G Sean Pauls (6-0,185),Sr. G Steve Bellani (5-9,160).

Promising Newcomers: Jr. G Chris Diaz (6-0,180), So. G Tyler Daniel (5-9,160).

Outlook: The Golden Eagles will have a little bit of an easier time now that the players are more comfortable with Ferrare. Many of the returnees received varsity experience last year. However, getting wins in a tough and improving conference which includes Columbia and East Orange will be a challenge.

Morristown

Coach:Ricky Osborne, eighth year

Last year: 10-13.

Key losses: F Roger Harris, G Kevin Johnson, F Keaton Smith, G Dean Llakas.

Returning letterwinners: Jr. F/G Mike Colvin (6-2,190), Jr. G George Bass (5-7,150), Sr. F/C Tim Breeman (6-3,210),.

Promising Newcomers: Sr. F/C Tom Breeman (6-3,200), Sr. G Mike Baily (5-8,150), Sr. G Drew Barone (5-11,160), So. G Kurt Davis (5-10,175), Jr. G Jon-Matt Hopkins (5-7,150), So. F Jarret Neely (5-11,175), Sr. G Aaron Norman (6-0,175), Jr. G Justin Pearson (5-10,175).

Outlook: The Colonials are optimistic and have a right to be. Colvin, Bass and the Breemans have been mainstays on the varsity level since freshman year. They play hard and should see more success this year.

MountOlive

Coach:Al Blanchard, second year

Last year: 13-12.

Key losses: F/G Michael Werner, G Brady Council, F Almin Hodzic.

Returning letterwinners: Sr. F Dan Gutman (6-5,210), Sr. F Russell Holloway (6-5,225), Jr. G Brian Bublitz (6-1,185), Jr. F Jared Grubow (6-4, 210), Jr. G Andrew Haduck (5-10,175), Jr. G Jerod Hatcher (6-0, 170).

Promising Newcomers: So. G Kyle Haduck (5-10,150), Jr. G Jaleel Hatcher (5-11,165), Jr.F Matt Bratter (6-1,185), Sr. F Brian Drury (6-1,180), Sr. F Kenny Bullock (6-1,185).

Outlook: The Marauders have a new weight room and it shows. They have added some strength and muscle and returnees Gutman, Holloway and Grubow will be tough under the boards and in the lane.

Randolph

Coach:James Dixon, eighth year

Last year: 14-10.

Key losses: G Daryl Jones, G Cory Zindel, F Chip Nadaff, G Zach Feinberg, F Andrew Turner.

Returning letterwinners: So. G Kyle Aiken (6-1, 175), Jr. F Mike Harris (6-2, 170), Sr. G Rich Embden (5-8, 160), Sr. G Brian Berger (6-0,160).

Promising Newcomers: Jr. F Justin Foster (6-2, 170), So. F Kevin Farrell (6-2,200), Jr. C Mike Schaffer (6-4,180), Jr. F Saban Mrkulic (6-0,165), Jr. G Scott Kralstein (5-10,150), Jr. G Greg Fahey (5-10,140), Jr. F Vlad Boscar (5-10,180), Jr. F Tony DeCaro (5-10,180), Jr. G Josh Corpuz (5-9,250).

Outlook: This is the smallest Rams team in some time. They are strong at guard. Berger, Embden and Aiken all have some varsity experience. It will be difficult for them to get rebounds and defend the post against taller opponents.

Roxbury

Coach:Jon Deeb, seventh year

Last year: 12-12.

Key losses: G Ryan O'Donnell, F Jeff Wathne, G Justin Younghans.

Returning letterwinners: Sr. F Kevin Ahern (6-3,205), Sr. F Brian Mohr (6-3,190), Sr. F Casey Harris (6-1,210), Sr. F Eric Vaccacio (6-2,190), Sr. G Alex Szarejko (5-11, 170).

Promising Newcomers: Fr. F Angelo Mangiro (6-4,250), Jr. F Matt Goss (6-4,220), Jr. Tommy Rosatelli (6-0, 180), Jr. Matt Bodnar )(6-0,170), Jr. Jared Ndiba (6-0,170).

Outlook: The Gaels have some muscle to go along with their size. Mangiro may see serious minutes as a freshman. Plenty of the returnees have experience including Szarejko at the guard spot. It should be another competitive year.

Seton Hall Prep

Coach:Bob Farrell, 31st year

Key losses: G Gary Wallace, F Ralph Jones, F Jason Banzhaf, F Jordan Costner.

Returning letterwinners: Sr. G Ashton Gibbs (6-3,190), Jr. G Jimmy Burke (5-11,175), Sr. G Brendan Kirby (5-10,170), Sr. F Sean McNichol (6-2,200), Sr. F Rahmaan Patton (6-2,210), Sr. F Chris Hines (6-5,200).

Promising Newcomers: Fr. G Sterling Gibbs (6-0,160), Jr. G Matt Berka (5-10,185), Jr. F Mike McGetrick (6-2,180), Sr. G Sean Stokes (6-1,190), Jr. G Dave Gedeon (5-11, 165), Jr. F Tony Peters (6-8,185), Jr. F Stephon Treadwell (6-5,195), Jr. F Jon Salomon (6-3,190).

Outlook: The Pirates have dominated the IHC-Iron for a decade and annually visit the Tournament of Champions. Ashton Gibbs is among the state's best guards. Hines is from Parsippany.

West Morris

Coach:Wayne Shapiro, sixth year

Last year: 8-17.

Key losses: F Tim Lum, F Matt Sysock, F Mike Wehrhahn.

Returning letterwinners: Sr. G Josh Boyd (5-10,170), Sr. F Anthony Germinario (6-1,170), Jr. Matt Wehrhahn (6-2,185), Jr. C Brent Roehrich (6-5, 180), Jr. F Nick Famularo (6-2,175).

Promising Newcomers: Jr. C Jared Washkas (6-6,190), Jr. G Brett Bonnono (6-0,160), Jr. F Justin Sapir (6-2,180), So. G Derek Kambour (5-10,160).

Outlook: The Highlanders wlll focus on defense. They lost a lot of close contests last year but have a good core of hard working players coming back which makes this year look promising.