Millburn, which was 14-12 last season (4-6 in the Colonial) returns an experienced and chemistry-laden group led by Plotkin and Redler, but also blessed with superb role players who blend in seamlessly in the pass-first mentality fully evident with a group that appears ready to take the next step up in terms of performance over the long haul this season.

Juniors Quinn Barkley and Devon Aroner and senior Wade Schmell are all seasoned varsity performers who enhance the total package where Redler and Plotkin are the top two options.

“They are so unselfish, always sharing the ball, and doing things out there that can even surprise me,” said Leonardis, who was Sideline Chatter’s 2024 Essex County Coach of the Year after guiding the Millers to a 22-7 season including a berth in the North 2, Group 3 state sectional final. “Some of the great plays they make are really special to watch such as that one more pass that is made to find a teammate for a wide-open shot.

“Everyone contributes, they’re all on the same page, and they are a great group to coach!”
Millburn has an intriguing week ahead with what should be very challenging SEC-Colonial with road night games at Montclair Tuesday (Jan. 6) and Livingston Thursday (Jan. 8). 

NOTES- Leonardis, a former Millburn head football coach and also an assistant at schools including West Orange and Montclair, served as Rodger Blind’s assistant at Millburn before taking the reins of the Millers’ hoops program when Blind retired following the 2017-2018 season which ended with a strong 23-4 record led by then future University of Rochester standout Ross Gang….Blind’s best Millburn team was the 2009-2010 squad which also finished 23-4 and was the runner-up to Mendham in N2G3 led by standouts such as point guard Joe Kozel (Middlebury) and forward Alex Rosenberg (Columbia University)…Zach Benmorits, one of the stars of the 2023-2024 state sectional runner-up squad, is a sophomore at Union (N.Y.) College; however, he is sidelined this season after suffering a torn labrum muscle…Current stars Redler and Plotkin were almost identical in terms of their scoring output last season with the former compiling 579 points in 26 games (22.2 ppg) and the latter hitting for 558 points, also in 26 games (21.4).  

SUPER ESSEX CONFERENCE BOYS HOOPS FOR 2025-2026:
AMERICAN DIVISION: St. Benedict’s, Arts, East Orange Campus, Seton Hall Prep, Payne Tech, Newark Tech
LIBERTY DIVISION: Central, East Side, West Side, Caldwell, Columbia, Newark Collegiate
COLONIAL DIVISION: Irvington, Orange, Bloomfield, Millburn, Montclair, Livingston
INDEPENDENCE DIVISION: West Orange, West Essex, Belleville, University, Science Park, North Star Academy, Glen Ridge
FREEDOM DIVISION: West Caldwell Tech, Verona, Shabazz, MKA, Newark Academy, Cedar Grove
NATIONAL DIVISION: Nutley, Weequahic, Barringer, Eagle Academy, Newark Lab, Technology, Golda Och, Bard           

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