Trenton Catholic Prep highlights suburban schools
The Iron Mikes are back.
Just like when it looked like last season was going to be the end for Trenton Catholic Academy’s storied basketball program, the school transformed into Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy and will remain at the Iron Palace in Hamilton this winter.
The new head coach is Mark Bass, who replaces longtime leader Fred Falchi. Bass graduated from McCorristin (TCPA’s former name) in 1991, became a star guard at St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia and coached as an assistant at the Division I school for 20 years.
So the Iron Mikes are in good hands as they groom a young team with four seniors and loads of talent.
The top returning players are Michael Jones and Jameel Morris. Erik Oliver Bush, a newcomer, is another player to watch in TCPA’s loaded backcourt.
Bass’s goal is for his team to play fast but smart. These Iron Mikes are focused on avoiding turnovers and getting a quality shot every time down the court.
“If we guard the ball and keep people out of the lane and rebound, we should be hard to beat,” Bass said.
Elsewhere among local teams in the Burlington County Scholastic League, Northern Burlington looks like a force to reckoned with on the hardwood.
The Greyhounds have a solid group of seven seniors including four-year varsity player Drew Wyers, who is a leader and hard-nosed defender. Arthur Musoke is the starting point guard, Mark Broach makes big shots and Logan Gonzalez is one of the program’s most improved performers.
Coach Gene Darling also antici- pates big contributions from transfers Christian Kelly and Christian Naylor.
“Our strengths this season will be our overall awareness being that we have a solid group of seniors with some new talent to be mixed in where needed,” Darling said. “We have a lot of speed and interchangeable parts to have the ability to use different defenses
where needed and be able to play teams straight up.”
Over at Bordentown, there is a new head coach in Alan Foy.
Typically one of the area’s top teams, the Scotties had a disappointing campaign during the shortened 2021 season. But Foy is working with some exciting talent such as point guard Zach Matthews, ace defender Myles Hansford, athletic guard Andrew Decosta and physical post presence Jack Martin.
“We hang our hat on tough defense and competing,” Foy said. “We will play hard, make the right play, make the extra pass and run our offense. While our roster on the surface looks experienced with six seniors, a lot of the seniors are getting their first real playing time and our other key pieces are sophomores. The season will be full of ups and downs. We just want to get better every day and compete.”