By Steve Tober
for sidelinechatter.com
There was the versatile and talented Tariq Carey launching up a 3-pointer to keep his Newark East Side team right in it until near the end in an eventual overtime loss to Mendham before a partisan, packed house in the Minutemen’s gym.
Plenty of experiences-virtually all ultimately concluding in defeat-were had by many young basketball players from Essex County this season, all of whom will benefit from the experience-as gut wrenching as it can seem at the time of the loss on the court in early March-moving forward.
It’s not too early to take a look at 2010-2011 and what teams and players will be at the forefront of how Essex County and the SEC progress next winter.
Right now, it’s on to AAU spring ball, summer leagues and camps and fall ball for some where there is plenty of time to become better players in preparation for next November’s start of the official pre-season practices on the day after Thanksgiving.
WELL-STOCKED TEAMS HEADING INTO NEXT SEASON:
Newark East Side- One of the more likeable teams to watch perform this past season, the Red Raiders are guided by the very capable tandem of head man Bryant Garvin and lead assistant Anthony Tavares, and boast a lineup that should return four starters in the sophomores led by the 6-2 Carey, talented 5-9 point guard Kasim Chandler and 6-6 Aaron Bodie along with the 6-4 freshman William Joyce. The Red Raiders will be a definite county title contender along with the Prep.
TOP PLAYERS DUE BACK IN ESSEX COUNTY NEXT SEASON (This year’s grade): East Side : Kasim Chandler and Tariq Carey, sophomores
