Freshman guard Quason Lindsay (2) is one of the young Science Park players who has grown up very quickly while enjoying success in the Group 2 state tournament as a sub-.500 record in the ultra-tough Super Essex Conference-American Division has only served to fortify the Chargers on their way to a North 2, Group 2 state sectional title and a berth in Thursday's Group 2 semis opposite North 1 winner Pequannock at Vernon High School. (Photos courtesy of corbosport.com)

Despite not having a starter taller than 6-foot-2, Science Park, led by the likes of veteran swingman Aaron Cobb (23), has been getting up high during the current Group 2 state tourney.

Super Essex Conference Standing Tall
As Hoops State Tourney Nears An End
By Steve Tober
For sidelinechatter.com

As one North Jersey hoops fan remarked: “You expect Essex County to do well in the state tournament,” which reminds us that the following statement is no bulletin: The Super Essex Conference is indeed standing tall in the 2010 NJSIAA boys basketball state tournament.

If you include Central Jersey, Group 2 where Shabazz has survived through a couple of very challenging tussles with the likes of Rumson and Willingboro, the SEC has five teams remaining among 14 schools still standing among the North Jersey public and parochial schools heading into Wednesday night’s action.

Science Park (10-14), perhaps making the tournament’s greatest statement regarding the NJSIAA expanding this year’s hoops extravaganza to include .sub-.500 teams in order to fill out up to 16-team brackets, has earned its third straight state sectional crown, following Tuesday night’s 52-41 win at Garfield for the North 2, Group 2 crown.

The Chargers, who reached the past two Tournament of Champions finals and won Group 1 in 2008 and Group 2 in 2009, were 6-14 during the regular season, bypassed the Essex County Tournament to concentrate on developing its young talent and now has blossomed at exactly the right time, winning four straight games in state tourney play.

Coach Milt Gaylord’s Brick City squad, which has been led by senior guard Amir Gilliam, junior swing Aaron Cobb and a host of youngsters, including freshman guard Quason Lindsay, faces Pequannock in Thursday night’s Group 2 semifinals at Vernon.

“The Super Essex Conference is simply the best conference in the state and playing the really solid teams we faced on a regular basis in the American Division simply made our kids grow up very quickly,” said the veteran Chargers’ mentor after his team’s state tourney win at Caldwell. “It’s been exciting for our kids and, hopefully, we can continue the journey.”

East Orange Campus (18-9), which added a standout guard in transfer Rashad Isaac in February to bolster its backcourt, knocked off Paterson Kennedy, 73-65, for the North 1, Group 4 crown on Tuesday night and now faces North 2, Group 4 champ Plainfield, 7 p.m, Thursday, at the Dunn Center in Elizabeth for the right to go to Sunday’s overall Group 4 final.

The Jaguars are one of the longest teams you’ll find, led by athletic 6-foot-7 junior forward Mario Moody, active 6-5 senior forward Dominique Depts and steady 6-3 guard Muhamadou Kaba, and will try to use that strength against the Tyrone Johnson-led Plainfield Cardinals on Thursday night in the Group 4 semis.

“There is no question the SEC has toughened us up and has helped make us ready for what we’re going through right now in the states,” said Isaac, a talented 5-9 senior guard. “Facing the Seton Halls and East Sides of the world makes you have to get it together as a team win or lose, and now we’re playing our best basketball when it matters most.”

University in North 2, Group 1, which faces North 1 winner Cresskill, 6 p.m., tonight (Wednesday) at East Orange Campus, and Seton Hall Prep in Non-Public A, which takes on St. Peters’ Prep in tomorrow night’s (6 p.m., Thursday) much-anticipated contest at the Rutgers Athletic Center, are also the pride of the SEC. University, the defending Group 1 state champs, won its second straight ECT title this year, defeating top-seeded SHP, who was the SEC-American Division champ, in the county title tilt.

“We played some really good teams like Seton Hall, East Side and East Orange in the SEC-American, and it makes you grow up quickly as a unit,” said Science’s veteran guard Gilliam. “Our young guys have learned quickly and now we’re enjoying a great run in the states!”

How The Northern New Jersey Counties Are Holding Up As Far As Teams Still Alive As The 2010 NJSIAA Boys Basketball State Tournament Hits The State Semifinals:

Essex : 5

University in Group 1

Science Park in Group 2

Shabazz in Group 2 ( Central Jersey)

East Orange Campus in Group 4

Seton Hall Prep in Non-Public A

Bergen : 2

Old Tappan in Group 3

Cresskill in Group 1

Morris: 2

Mendham in Group 3

Pequannock in Group 2

Hudson : 2

St. Anthony in Non-Public B

St. Peter’s Prep in Non-Public A

Union : 1

Plainfield in Group 4

Passaic : 1

Paterson Catholic in Non-Public B

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