PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Fuquan Edwin played his final high school game Thursday night when top-seeded Paterson Catholic lost to No. 2 St. Anthony, 63-49, in the North Non-Public B title game at Rutgers.
The 6-foot-5 Edwin led his team with 22 points and 6 rebounds, but only one other teammate (Kyle Anderson) managed double figures.
Another Paterson native, St. Anthony guard Elijah Carter, killed the Cougars with a game-high 28 points and 14 rebounds.
“He had a terrific game. He shot the ball well. He got into the lane. He dished off to his teammates. He just opened the floor for his teammates and that’s what killed us,” Edwin said of the St. Bonaventure-bound Carter.
Edwin was visibly upset after the loss, but the Cougars had a terrific season.
They became the first Paterson team to win the prestigious City of Palms tournament in Florida. They won their third straight Passaic County championship. And they were ranked No. 3 nationally in several polls after winning their first 28 games.
“With Paterson Catholic it was a terrific season as far as winning City of Palms,” Edwin said. “Going up to West Virginia and winning there. All these games, we were away. We were never home. It was a good season.”
The next time Edwin plays organized ball, he will be a freshman at Seton Hall in the 2010-11 season, where he will join former Paterson Catholic teammate Jordan Theodore.
“I’m looking to go in and be in the rotation right away,” Edwin said. “I’m going to go out there and transform my game. I’m going to get my outside shot down pat, get my handle and be good.”
Seton Hall coach Bobby Gonzalez told Edwin he wants an “energy guy who can get out in transition and shoot the ball and play defense.”
Edwin watched the Pirates in the first two rounds of the Big East tournament. After they put up 109 points in a win over Providence, Edwin’s eyes lit up.
“I can definitely see myself playing in there,” he said. “I can see myself fitting in there.”
Edwin said he received a 900 on his first SAT test, and will take it again on Monday.
“I’m looking to get my 100 more points and I should be set,” he said.
MOSES ABRAHAM CLOSE TO DECIDING
Edwin is part of a three-man recruiting class committed to Seton Hall that also includes 6-8 forwards Jamir Hanner of Newark (NJ) NIA Prep and Eugene McCrory of Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers in Washington, D.C.
Edwin has signed, but Hanner and McCrory still must sign in April.
The Pirates are also in the mix for 6-9 big man Moses Abraham of Temple Hills (Md.) Progressive Christian.
“We’re just waiting to watch all the teams play [in the] next couple of days and hear [the] last pitch from schools,” said his mentor, Joe Boncore.
Boncore added that Abraham would watch Georgetown, Maryland, UCLA, Florida and Tennessee this weekend.
Seton Hall and Indiana are out of their conference tournaments but are also in the mix.
(Photo courtesy MaxPreps)
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