Got an email today from Ed Finn to say that the annual Dan Finn Classic pairings had been set for Jan. 17, 2009 at the Jersey City Armory. Among the players exacted on display will be Sterling Gibbs of Seton Hall Prep; Fuquan Edwin and Myles Mack of Paterson Catholic; Tamir Jackson and Tristan Thompson of St. Benedict’s; Tyrone Johnson and Isaiah Epps of Plainfield; and Dominic Cheek of St. Anthony. Looks like a great event as usual:
12 p.m. – Seton Hall Prep vs. St. Peter’s Prep
1:30 – Colt’s Neck vs. Shabazz
3 – Jersey City Police vs. Jersey City Firemen
4:30 – Paterson Catholic vs. Trenton Catholic Academy
6:15 – Linden vs. St. Benedict’s
8 – Plainfield vs. St. Anthony
ST. BEN’S ADDS HEIGHT
Speaking of St. Benedict’s, I was out there Friday for the Garden States Coaches Clinic, and Dan Hurley’s club has added some major height to replace the departed Twin Towers of Samardo Samuels (Louisville) and Greg Echenique (Rutgers).
The Gray Bees added 6-11 sophomore Blaise Mbargorba of Cameroon; 6-9 junior JP Kambola (pictured) and 6-foot Marcello Kambola, brothers who come from Ro Russell’s Grassroots Canada progam; and 6-4 Andres Misters of Latvia.
They join a core that includes senior guard Tamir Jackson; junior guard Aaron Brown and junior wing Tristan Thompson (Texas); and sophomore guard Myck Kabongo.
The Gray Bees went 24-1 last season, finishing No. 2 in the nation in most polls behind Bob Hurley’s undefeated St. Anthony of Jersey City (32-0) team.
