TIPOFF PART 2: A LOOK AT OUR LOCAL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAMS IN NJ
Last season included plenty of highlights for our local boys basketball teams in New Jersey.
Phillipsburg defeated Easton and later upset its way into the sectional semifinals. Hackettstown hosted a sectional final. Voorhees had an excellent regular season on its way to a divisional crown. North Hunterdon made a run to the county championship game.
Unfortunately for all of those schools, they have big question marks entering this winter.
In fact, Warren Hills has the most talent returning (on paper) and wants to make up for missed opportunities in 2017-18.
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, here's a look at each of our eight boys hoops sides that are east of the Delaware River.
Phillipsburg
Section: North 2 Group 4.
Conference: Skyland, Raritan Division.
2017-18 record: 17-9 overall, 5-5 division.
2018 postseason: Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex quarterfinals, North 2 Group 4 semifinals.
Player to watch: Sr. G Richie Manigault (11 points per game).
Outlook: The Stateliners need to replace the trio that was at the heart of much of last year's success and included All-Area first-teamer Chris Mann. Manigault is the team's top returning scorer and one of the best 3-point shooters in the area. He'll need help from his classmates, though, as Phillipsburg looks to a large contingent of seniors -- Bryce Feddeman, Alex Kollias, Alain Gonda, Cam Strachan, Stephen Willey, Kyle Sofhauser -- to grasp and excel in larger roles.
From coach Jerry Lloyd: "Our strength is that we play hard and are very unselfish ... Our goal is to come and do our job to the best of our ability every day, compete every day and the rest will take care of itself."
Kyle Craig may be reached at kcraig@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KyleCraigSports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.
