NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Two of the nation’s premier boys’ teams will be on display this weekend at a special 10-team showcase event between elite programs from the New York-New Jersey Metropolitan area.
In what promises be one of the most competitive events of 2022, nine Catholic schools and one private from the two states will compete in the all-day New York vs. New Jersey Catholic Showcase inside the Hynes Athletic Center on the campus of Iona College.
Teams from the latest Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings in the field include No. 13 Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.) and No. 20 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.).
Co-hosted by Archbishop Stepinac and Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.), the hoops extravaganza, features five impactful games (records and statistics are through Jan. 18):
11:30 a.m. – Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) vs. St. Raymond (Bronx, N.Y.)
The Skinny: Don Bosco (9-3), No. 11 in New Jersey rankings, is led by sophomore guard Dylan Harper (10.0 ppg), who is the son of former NBA standout Ron Harper (Chicago Bulls). St Raymond (7-4) has the city’s backcourt of the future in freshmen, 6-4 Tai Turnage (17.7 ppg) and 5-10 Brandon Stores, Jr. (11.2 ppg). Senior guard Elijah Castillo averages 12.2 points per game.
1:30 p.m. – St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) vs. Iona Prep (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
The Skinny: Senior forward R.J. Greene (19.6 ppg) and 5-10 junior point guard Blaise New (9.1 ppg) pace Iona Prep (6-8) while New Jersey’s top-rated senior (in the ESPN 100), 6-2 point guard Mark Armstrong (19.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.9 apg), is a Villanova signee and playmaker. St. Peter’s, No. 4 in New Jersey, is 7-1 and Armstrong has more than 1,300 career points.
3:30 p.m. – Hudson Catholic (Jersey City) vs. Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.)
The Skinny: Christ the King (7-4), one of the nation’s storied programs, leans on 6-7 junior Brandon Williams (14.0 ppg), 6-3 junior Devin Vanterpool (12.6 ppg) and 6-6 sophomore Dwayne Pierce (13.1 ppg). Nick Marinello, one of New Jersey’s top coaches, for the Hawks (6-1), No. 7 in New Jersey. Sophomore guard Tahaad Pettiford averages nearly 20 points per game and is one of New Jersey’s rising prep stars.
5:30 p.m. – Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) vs. No. 13 Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.)
The Skinny: This game features great guards. Hayes (13-0) features sophomore Ian Jackson, who comes off a great performance last weekend at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Fordham-bound Will Richardson (17.5 ppg) and sophomore Terry Copeland (14.4 ppg) are the top scorers for BC (8-3), which has lost two straight games. BC is No. 9 in the New Jersey Top 20 rankings.
7:30 p.m. – The Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.) vs. No. 20 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.)
The Skinny: Stepinac (11-2) is young and playing with confidence. Sophomore guard Boogie Fland (No. 12 in Class of 2024 by ESPN) is healthy again but Samuel Gibbs (15.2 ppg), freshman Danny Carbuccia (13.0 ppg) and Isaiah Alexander (11.8 ppg) have picked up the slack. Sophomores Benjamin Lyttle (6.3 ppg) and Joel Baez (5.0 ppg) led depth to Stepinac’s lineup. The Patrick School Celtics are an independent program and were previously St. Patrick High School (Elizabeth).
The gates open at 10:30 a.m. For ticket information click here. Courtside tickets have sold out and sales are going briskly. A full house is expected. — Christopher Lawlor
