NJ Boys Basketball: Statewide rankings for the week of Jan. 10

THE STAR-LEDGER TOP 20

1-St. Patrick (7-0)
2-St. Anthony (8-0)
3-St. Augustine (7-0)
4-Newark East Side (7-1)
5-Gill St. Bernard’s (8-2)
6-Paul VI (6-0)
7-Paramus Catholic (4-3)
8-Linden (5-2)
9-Seton Hall Prep (6-2)
10-Teaneck (5-2)
11-Shawnee (8-1)
12-Lakewood (6-1)
13-Lenape (7-0)
14-Hudson Catholic (8-2)
15-Passaic Tech (7-2)
16-Don Bosco Prep (6-2)
17-Christian Brothers (5-1)
18-Plainfield (6-3)
19-Trenton Catholic (4-3)
20-Columbia (6-1)


PLAYER TO WATCH

East Side's Kasim Chandler is always worth watching for his scrappy defensive play and well-rounded floor game. But for entertainment value, the best time to nix the text messaging and take notice of the 5-9 junior guard is when his team is losing. The entire East Side team kicks things up when facing a deficit in the second half, and Chandler is typically the sparkplug of those rallies. His on-ball defense becomes a bit tighter, passes are a little crisper and his fighting spirit practically becomes a visible statement on his jersey. Three of his squad's last four victories have been comebacks, including a 59-50 decision over Central Dec. 31 in the Newark Public Schools Tournament. This is not to suggest that Chandler, who averages 17.2 ppg. and four assists, occasionally takes plays off until the situation is dire. He never does. He simply has another level of energy and focus that few can match.