And, even with St. Joe’s impressive junior guard Alijah Murphy (game-high 22 points) sinking 19 first-half points, SHP established a commanding 44-24 halftime advantage and was well on its way to a decisive win.

Guzzardo, Ante and others such as fellow senior starter Primo Delgado (11 points) and junior guard Daniel Beazer (4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block) are familiar faces from last season’s 11-14 Pirates squad, while the team has added some promising, new faces in 2024-2025, including transfers in starter Anthony Gonzalez from Union City (10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals vs. St. Joe’s), fellow sophomore guard Avery George from St. Peter’s Prep (4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals vs. St. Joe’s) and 6-7 junior forward Jaden Teyan from Rutgers Prep.

“The chemistry has been real good right from the start and having so many guys getting a chance to play also gives more rest for the starters, which will help over the course of the season,” said Ante, who battled well inside vs. St. Joe’s 6-9 senior center Will Phillips (4 points). “This was definitely a big win following up on our first game, and it’s always great to be home and play with such good energy in our gym, and we hope to build off that.”

Guzzardo epitomized the Gibbs’ promoted theme of a fast-paced, upbeat attack coupled with a strong focus on the defensive end vs. St. Joe’s and his 18 first half points, including a number of strong drives to the basket seem to point to an increased presence to continue for the aggressive 6-foot backcourt performer.

“It’s really about having more confidence this season,” said the veteran senior guard. “Last year was my first on varsity and I just feel I’m more ready this season.

“Putting in the work and taking every day seriously is huge for us because we’ve been working very hard in practice and it showed tonight.

“Coach Gibbs stresses ‘next guy up’ so everybody is always ready to produce on the court, and the mix with this group of guys has been easy since Day 1.

“The chemistry is good, and we’re just looking to keep improving while focusing on the next game.”

NOTES- SHP’s Ante, who could be a Division III prospect in hoops, is also an outstanding lacrosse player for SHP in the spring and has already committed to play Division I college lacrosse at Stony Brook…Sterling Gibbs, who began his college career at Texas under coach Rick Barnes, then earned his bachelor’s degree while playing for Kevin Willard at Seton Hall University before getting his Master’s degree while playing for coach Kevin Ali at UConn, also played pro ball overseas in eight different countries in seven years, including his last stop in Lithuania. His older brother Ashton, who began the Gibbs brother act on the court for SHP before starring in the backcourt for Pitt, is currently coaching the Atlanta Hawks’ ‘G’ League team, while TJ, a former Notre Dame standout, is currently back home in Jersey following his most recent stint of pro ball in Portugal….TJ and dad Temple Gibbs, a former SHP football player, helped out in some of the off-season training of the current Pirates…Sterling is just the fourth SHP basketball coach since 1948 for SHP following the trailblazer Tracey (1948-1977), the legendary Bob Farrell (1978-2011) and the successful Farrell prodigy Kevin Williams (2012-2024)....Gibbs' coaching staff is comprised of SHP alums in Steve Ricciardi (Class of '97), Greg Walsh ('99), Austin Williams (2017), Dennis Quinn ('94) and Mike Keszkowski ('96)...SHP defeated Weequahic 82-46 Thursday in the Brick City Showdown at Weequahic High School.

ST. JOE’S (MET.) 12 12 10 2 - 36
SETON HALL PREP 22 22 19 9- 72

St. Joe’s: Alijah Murphy 3-4-4-22, Ryan Hilongos 2-0-1-5, Tyler DiGraci 0-0-3-3, Alex Sockolof 0-0-0-0, Will Phillips 1-0-2-4, Brayden Danchak 0-0-2-2,Matt Crystian 0-0-0-0, Gian Gomez 0-0-0-0, Jake Sockolof 0-0-0-0, Caiden Mooney 0-0-0-0, Justin Soto 0-0-0-0, Avery Stetz 0-0-0-0 Totals: 6-4-12-36

Seton Hall Prep: Dylan Guzzardo 6-1-6-21, Anthony Gonzalez 4-0-2-10, Alex Ante 3-0-2-8, Daniel Beazer 2-0-0-4, Primo Delgado 2-2-1-11, Michael Klimas 1-1-0-5, Avery George 2-0-0-4, Jaden Teyan 2-0-0-4, Cole Jordan 0-0-0-0, Collin Reese 0-0-0-0, Connor Herring 0-0-0-0, James Dunnemann 0-0-0-0, Joshua Moorman 0-0-0-0, JeCal Riggins 1-0-0-2, Tyler Lewis 0-1-0-3. Totals: 23-5-11-72