By Christian Mordi (@Mordi_TheComeUp)
Team: Don Bosco Prep Ironmen
Ranking: 11
Record Last season: 27-4, 7-1 in conference play
Key players: Marcellus Earlington, junior;Chris Paul, junior
Potential emerging stars: Ronald Harper, junior
Team analysis: While many would think a 27-4 season is hard to match, the expectations for Don Bosco may be even higher this year. The Ironmen lost all-public guard Brandon Anderson to Brown, but they return four of their top six scorers from last year.
While many fell in love with Don Bosco’s stellar guard play, but the ability to throw the ball inside and get steady contributions in the paint made this team one of the hardest to defend last year. Dual sport athlete Marcellus Earlington was one of the state’s best kept secrets as a sophomore. Ronald Harper (son of former NBA all-star Ron Harper) had a strong summer on the circuit and is set to have a big junior year due to his expanded role.
The Ironmen play in one of the toughest divisions in NJ in the Big North, but they have the talent to walk away with the division title again this year if they put it all together.
Stat to know: The Ironmen shocked Seton Hall Prep in the North Jersey, Non-Public A title game to win the program's first sectional crown since 1970.