Pirates are also getting taller and stronger such as senior swingman Daniel Beazer (5.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg), who is now 6-4 and likely to play more as a forward this season where his size and athleticism will add depth to the frontcourt.

“We’re still not the tallest team without anybody taller than 6-6, but our strength is boxing out and rebounding well without worrying about who is bigger.

“I think we are one of the more athletic teams in the state, and we combine strength and experience with that athleticism.”

Another taller and stronger player is 6-3 junior Avery George (4.9 ppg), who is expected to be one of those who will play a bigger role this season.

“Brotherhood is the biggest thing when you come to Seton Hall Prep and our team is so well connected,” said the veteran backcourt performer. “Along with that good chemistry I think our experience together will help us in not always rushing the pace as we did in a couple of losses last year, and maybe be better carrying the lead throughout an entire game.”

An experienced player boosting the front line and coming off a serious injury is 6-6 senior Michael Klimas (5.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg), another important piece who tore the ACL in his left knee during last season’s state tournament.

“I’m excited to be back on the court with my guys after now just finishing my ninth month in the recovery process,” said the veteran forward who handed our 43 assists and blocked 22 shots along with hauling down his share of rebounds last season. “I’m not rushing things and I want to be 100 % for our first game which I feel I am ready to do and I’m very optimistic about our frontcourt with athletic bigs like Beazer and Alex.”

Additional depth is provided with the return of reserve Collin Reese, a 6-foot senior guard. Other seniors for the Pirates this season include guards Joshua Moorman and Jonathan Racanelli and forward Tyler Lewis.

The exciting newcomers for SHP are led by Immaculate Conception transfer Infinate Sincere-Amen Ra, a talented 6-1 sophomore guard who will provide some more top-shelf skills to an athletic backcourt.

He scored a career-high 21 points in IC’s regular season win at SHP last season and is now back at Tracey Gym but this time as a member of the Pirates after the Montclair Catholic school closed its doors for good after 100 years this past June.

“Immaculate’s closing, which I learned about only a couple of hours before our game last season against Seton Hall Prep, was sad, but I stayed ready to play and had a fun night when we won here that night,” said the precocious 10th-grade prospect. “The adjustment to Seton Hall Prep has gone well, I’m acclimated with the new school and coaches and we have a real good group of guys here for sure.

“We definitely have a great backcourt and we’ve spent a lot of time practicing and playing in games this past summer so we’re ready to get going, that’s for sure!”

“Our backcourt is definitely a strong point and Infinate fits in perfectly with what we do,” said Gibbs. “He is very up-tempo and creative so adding him is a big piece.

“'AG' has made his body even stronger, we are ultra-confident in what he can do, and we feel that he is one of the top players in the state.

“We also have added (5-9) Bryce McCray who is a freshman who can do wonders and have a great career here!

“Avery George is stronger, taller and more athletic and is ready to take a huge jump.

“As far as our forwards we all know what Alex Ante can do, and I believe that (6-5 sophomore) Kaden Aiken, who played with our JV team last season, can be a real force as well!

“We feel that we have the makings of a very good team but I am going to continue to challenge them every day in practice and then they will definitely be challenged against the schedule we have lined up for them!”  

NOTES- The strong SHP coaching staff includes veteran varsity assistants Steve Ricciardi and Jessie Reid, longtime JV coach Greg Walsh, who also is on the varsity bench; Walsh’s fellow JV coach Ashton Miller and freshmen coaches Dennis Quinn and Mike Keszkowski. All of the assistant coaches, except for Quinn, are former SHP basketball players as well…Ante is a senior college lacrosse scholarship commit to Stony Brook. He excels as a veteran attackman for coach John Svec’s state championship team…Key graduation losses off last winter’s SHP hoops squad included guards Dylan Guzzardo, who led the team in made 3-pointers, and Primo Delgado…Following its season opener vs. Manasquan in the NJBCA Tip-Off Showcase at Mongomery on Dec. 13, SHP’s first SEC game is Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Newark Tech, runner-up in the last three Group 2 state finals, which is now coached by former Immaculate head man Jimmy Salmon. The Pirates stay in Newark for its next two games, traveling to Newark Collegiate on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m., before facing Trenton in the Brick City Showdown Basketball Classic, 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, at Weequahic High School…The first and only home game in December is Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 7, vs. Paramus Catholic.