December 16, 2011
2011/2012 Team Preview: |
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Junior shooting guard Tre Bell is one of five new starters for St. Peter's Prep this season. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
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By Jason Bernstein Editorial Director |
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It's a new chapter for St. Peter's Prep basketball. Gone are head coach Mike Kelly and the core group that teamed for four-straight county championships and a Non-Public, North A title in 2010. In their place are long-time assistant Todd Decker and a group of very talented, yet unproven players.
"I really believe we all want to win and have the same goal in mind and that's to win," Decker said. "We really only have one returning varsity player with major varsity experience. Every one of us from myself and the staff, to the players, guys that have transferred in (aren't proven at this level). It's definitely challenging, but because we're all working hard and we're focused and we all have a lot to prove it's been a good process."
The one notable returning player from a year ago is junior guard Tre Bell. Prep's sixth man a season ago, Bell is a valuable defender for the Marauders.
"Defensively he's very good. He's got long arms," Decker said. "Offensively, coming back from football is tough, but I think the rust is starting to come off, he's starting to find his range, he's hitting the mid-range jumper again and he's getting to the hole and finishing."
Bell will be joined in the backcourt by 6-foot-1 sophomore Austin White and Tyrone O'Garro. The 6-foot-6 O'Garro, a transfer from St. Patrick is committed to Monmouth and lethal driving to the hoop and relentless on the court.
"I don't know if motor is a skill, but there's not too many kids these days that play consistently as hard as he does," Decker said. "He just doesn't stop."
O'Garro will be asked to act as the Marauders' point guard early on as junior Trevis Wyche sits out the first 30 days due to transfer rules. The return of Wyche will allow O'Garro to shift back to his natural position of small forward.
Sophomore Sean Cummings, who saw some action last season, is a stretch power forward. He will be joined up front by junior Jordan Arthur. The 6-foot-9 Arthur returns after a year at Newark Tech and has the talent to be a game changer on the defensive side of the ball.
"His upside's huge," Decker said. "He's so good at blocking. He just has a natural ability to block shots. As soon as his confidence goes up I think the sky's the limit for him."
The Marauders have a deep, yet young bench with five sophomores representing the second unit. Six-foot-eight Chris Wright, 6-foot-6 Vic Jusino and 6-foot-5 Austin Roche give Prep an intimidating collection of forwards. Guards Sean Ryan and Kieran Purcell provide backcourt depth and outside shooting.
2011-12 St. Peter's Prep |
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