CALDWELL- Caldwell University men’s basketball coach Dean Johnson knows full well that it’s going to be a very busy month of Sundays in the Newman Center to start off the New Year, and he’s quite happy about it.
Caldwell U will be the site for three of the four Sundays of premier high school hoops in January as ‘Big Jersey Basketball’ debuts bringing together eight of the top Catholic school boys basketball teams in the state for quadruple-header action starting on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, at Paterson Kennedy, and then continuing on Sundays, Jan. 5, 12 and 26 in the Newman Center.
The coaches and selected players for all eight teams, including reigning Non-Public A state champion Don Bosco Prep, North A finalist St. Peter’s Prep, Bergen Catholic, Hudson Catholic, Roselle Catholic, Immaculate Conception, Rutgers Prep and Gill St. Bernard’s, were all on hand this past Sunday (Dec. 8) to introduce the new venture in elite-level scholastic hoops which has come to a reality thanks to the fruition of discussions between Johnson and IC coach Jimmy Salmon, who has extensive experience in organizing showcase basketball events.
“We want to do our part to help promote the game of high school basketball and give these kids an opportunity to play in a very competitive setting, including three Sundays in our gymnasium,” said Johnson, who is also the associate athletic director at Caldwell U. “It’s going to be a very busy month of January and we’re looking forward to having a lot of fans from all over the area and beyond coming to see some of the best basketball they can find.”
“We’re all looking forward to the start of Big Jersey Basketball and hopefully we will attract good crowds,” added Salmon. “We thought that this was a good idea and Caldwell U is a great spot to showcase the players’ talents on three big Sundays in January.”
Back in the day the Big East Conference Tournament used to bring together renowned coaches such as Rollie Massimino (Villanova), Lou Carnesecca (St. John’s), John Thompson (Georgetown), Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Jim Calhoun (UConn) and PJ Carlesimo (Seton Hall).
While not comparing that historic sextet of collegiate greats to a current cast of Garden State Catholic high school coaches, it is still undeniable that the eight coaches who were present at Caldwell U on Dec. 8 to introduce a brand-new era in Jersey hoops showcases with Big Jersey Basketball are indeed a solid group with loads of big-game experience.
Kevin Diverio at Bosco, Nick Mariniello at Hudson Catholic, Alex Mirabel at St. Peter’s Prep, Mergin Sina at Gill, Billy Armstrong at BC, Todd Decker at RC, Matt Bloom at Rutgers Prep and Salmon at IC bring first-rate credentials as big-game tacticians and team leaders.
“Big Jersey Basketball brings together some tremendously talented teams and outstanding coaches that we’re all very familiar with for a new Sunday event that should be exciting for everyone involved,” said Diverio. “We know that the competition is going to be first-rate and I know that our kids are looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
The players from some of the top teams in the Garden State are also looking forward to what will be a very competitive January Sunday setting for some terrific Jersey style hoops action.
“We’re definitely looking forward to the challenge,” said IC junior point guard Jaren Barnett, who has already received strong looks from Albany and Delaware State. “There are a lot of very good Catholic schools in our state and this Big Jersey Basketball is going to be a good thing for Jersey hoops!”
The eight teams participating in the inaugural year of Big Jersey Basketball will be competing in what co-founder and executive director Justin Leonard thinks will only grow in terms of levels of competitor and popularity.
“New Jersey has such a rich tradition of basketball and we are looking to take that tradition to the next level,” he said. “Year 1 marks the beginning of our ‘Challenge Series’, but our vision for this brand and what it can mean for the future of New Jersey high school basketball is ambitious.
“By providing a dynamic platform for student-athletes to compete at an elite level, this initiative not only celebrates the excellence of today’s players, but also sets the stage for a brighter future for New Jersey basketball.
“With the Challenge Series kicking off in January the countdown has begun for a transformative season that promises to inspire players, coaches and fans alike.”
Also, on the upcoming showcase calendar is this Saturday’s Ty Collins Tip-Off at Paterson Kennedy with a full slate of games starting at 2 p.m. Among the Essex County teams involved are IC, East Orange Campus, Payne Tech and the University High girls who will meet powerful Morris Catholic in a marquee contest.
Tyrone Collins is the late, great Paterson Kennedy player and coach who is remembered by many as one of the all-time greats in Passaic County basketball.
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