Ewing reloads after run to state finals

Tradition is the operative word when it comes to Ewing High’s boys basketball program. The Blue Devils annually pump out quality teams, even when they don’t necessarily have established starpower.

That will have to be the case this season coming off of Ewing’s fifth state final appearance in seven years. Four of the starters from that team were seniors, and guard Ryan Conde transferred to Solebury School (Pa.).

The Blue Devils had a strong junior varsity squad last year, and the influx of talent should once again make them the favorite for the Colonial Valley Conference’s Patriot Division title.

Junior guard Caleb Stokes, senior forward Isaiah Sparks and senior guard Keyshawn Preston played valuable minutes off the bench last year. Longtime coach Shelly Dearden and her staff are also excited about promising newcomers such as junior forward Obi Ezeigbo and senior guard Shemar Robinson, a transfer who averaged 18 points per game at Lawrence last season.

Lawrence won 20 games last year and also has plenty of new faces after graduating all-time leader scoring Myles Mitchell-White, but seventh-year coach Jeff Molinelli is confident in the talented pieces he has stepping into bigger roles.

Second-year coaches Matt Stein and Conor Hayes aim to take their respective programs at Hopewell and Robbinsville another step forward, while Kyle Flanagan replaces Joe Radice at Steinert this season.