Athletic directors and principals from the Bergen-Passaic Scholastic League will vote Wednesday whether or not to grant the Paterson Catholic boys basketball team independence for the next two seasons.
PC has played a national schedule several times in the past, including during the Tim Thomas Era and more recently during the Kimmani Barrett Era. If it is granted independence it would do so again beginning in 2008-09. The Cougars already have independent games lined up next season against national powers Oak Hill and Duncanville (Texas) and plan to play in the Tip-Off Classic at Seton Hall and the Dan Finn Classic in Jersey City. A year ago, PC also played in the Nike Super Six at Madison Square Garden.
We have no doubt that head coach Damon Wright will have little trouble lining up suitors to play his stacked team, although it will take some work to get 20 or so games.
The Cougars sent senior guards Jordan Theodore to Seton Hall and Wayne Mack to Division II Merrimack. Next year’s squad will feature the five current sophomores — Fuquan Edwin, Trevor Clemmings, Shaq Thomas, Jermaine Peart and Jayon James — and current freshman standout Myles Mack, as well as junior wing Lance Brown.
Edwin, Clemmings and James hold offers from Seton Hall (along with Plainfield guard Isaiah Epps) and Edwin and Clemmings also holds offers from Rutgers. Fordham has offered James, Peart, Thomas and Brown.