From the beginning of the season until the end, the top story in local boys basketball was Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy’s return to the courts and historic success.
Just months after a massive fundraising effort allowed the school to reopen, Trenton Catholic had its best campaign in recent memory. The Iron Mikes secured their third straight Mercer County Tournament title and then captured the program’s first sectional title since 2010.
Along with an area-best 22 victories, Trenton Catholic was the only local team to win a sectional. After winning Non-Public B South, the Iron Mikes came within eight minutes of a state title before falling to eventual Tournament of Champions winner Roselle Catholic.
For leading those accomplishments, sophomore Michael Jones is The Trentonian’s Area Player of the Year and Mark Bass is our Area Coach of the Year.
Jones dominated with averages of 21.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.8 steals. The 6-foot-2 guard is already drawing Division I interest because of his athleticism, versatile scoring, high motor and tenacity at both ends of the floor.
Bass had a successful transition to the high school game while returning to his alma mater after spending 20 years an assistant at Saint Joseph’s University. Four of his players — Jones, Jamaal Morris, Jameel Morris and Erik Oliver-Bush — made our All-Area teams.
Elsewhere in the area, Northern Burlington (18-10) had a strong season and seized its 11th state tournament victory under longtime coach Gene Darling. Junior point guard Christian Naylor (15.9 points per game) and senior guard Mark Broach (10.8 points per game) were key cogs in the Greyhounds’ accomplishments.
Among prep schools, Hun (13-10) was the best local team as the Raiders went 7-0 against Lawrenceville, Peddie, Pennington and Trenton Catholic. They ultimately finished as the runner-up in Prep A behind Blair Academy.
Senior Jack Scott is our Prep Player of the Year. A 6-foot-4 point guard who is committed to Princeton, Scott was Hun’s facilitator and top scorer.
Pennington’s Chandler Fraser-Pauls is our Prep Coach of the Year for guiding an inexperienced team through growing pains. The Red Raiders (11-13) won 10 of their final 15 games after a difficult start, with junior point guard Corey Miller leading the way.
Also represented on the All-Area teams are two players each from Trenton, Robbinsville, Nottingham, Hightstown and Hamilton.
ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL
First Team
G Michael Jones Trenton Catholic So.
G Jameel Morris Trenton Catholic Sr.
G Jamaal Morris Trenton Catholic Sr.
G Antwan Bridgett Trenton Jr.
G/F Davontay Hutson Trenton Jr.
G/F Brian Herbert Robbinsville Sr.
C Stesher Mathelier Notre Dame Jr.
Second Team
G Christian Naylor Northern Burlington Jr.
G Erik Oliver-Bush Trenton Catholic Jr.
G Quiyon McMillan Nottingham Jr.
G Maurice Williams Hamilton Sr.
G Ayden Hogan Hightstown Sr.
G Luke Billings Robbinsville So.
C Robert Eaves Hightstown Jr.
Third Team
G Mark Broach Northern Burlington Sr.
G Joe Lemly Nottingham Jr.
G Brandon Ford Lawrence Jr.
G Rickey Boone WW-P South Sr.
G/F Kenny Rankin Ewing Jr.
F Ryan Kuuskvere Hopewell Sr.
F Jeremy Ellis Hamilton Sr.
Player of the Year
Michael Jones (Trenton Catholic)
Coach of the Year
Mark Bass (Trenton Catholic)
ALL-PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
First Team
G Jack Scott Hun Sr.
G Daniel Vessey Hun Sr.
G Hampton Sanders Lawrenceville Jr.
G Corey Miller Pennington Jr.
F Antoine Arnett Peddie Sr.
F Toby Thornburg Hun Sr.
Player of the Year
Jack Scott (Hun)
Coach of the Year
Chandler Fraser-Pauls (Pennington)
