By Christian Mordi (@Mordi_TheComeUp)
Team: The Patrick School Celtics
Ranking: 1
Record Last season: 23-6, 6-1 in conference play
Key players: Nick Richards, senior;Jordan Walker,junior;Jamir Harris, senior;Marcus McClary, senior
Potential emerging stars: Bul Ajang, senior;Al-Amir Dawes, sophomore;Valdir Manuel, junior.
Team analysis: The Patrick School has all the pieces of a championship team. The backcourt is loaded, as Jordan “Jelly fam” Walker, Jamir Harris and Marcus McClary all are division one caliber players. Center Nick Richards is a top 20 rated player in 2017, which makes him the highest rated player in this class in the state.
In regards to coaching, they have one of the best in New Jersey with former Rutgers head coach Mike Rice now at the helm of this program. This team has the depth and experience to make a push at a TOC title. The biggest question is: Can they put it all together when it matters most?
Stat to know: This team is loaded. When it’s all said and done, this team could have five 2017 graduates that acquire full athletic scholarships to play division one basketball on the next level.