NJ Hoops Top 20 Preview: Newark East Side

Overview Surprisingly a pair of three year starters 6-foot-2 Tariq Carey and Kasim Chandler left the program. Carey ended up at St. Anthony's and Chandler left the state for prep school. Two year starter, junior Will Joyce also transferred. He surfaced at Piscataway Tech. Despite these substantial defections to the starting lineup there is still talent on hand.

Backcourt

6-foot-1 Senior Jamal Reid can hit the three and score in bunches. 5-foot-10 Junior Stephon McNair and 5-foot-10 So. Akbar Hoffman have excellent quickness and can handle the rock.

Frontcourt

6-foot-6 Sr. Aaron Bodie is a quick leaper who plays above the rim. He attacks the glass well and can make the highlight reel with his dunks. 6-foot-5 So. Ismael Sanogo is one of the better young big men in the state and has drawn comparisons to Bodie.

Bench

6-foot-7 Sr. Shauntez Hill showed he could be a factor with his play this summer and fall. 5-foot-10 So. Jamar Gilbert transfers in from Newark Tech and could see significant minutes.

Coaching

An interesting dynamic on the sidelines at East Side as Bryant Garvin and Anthony Tavares have successfully worked as co-Head Coaches the past few years.

Season Prediction:

Have a chance to contend for Essex County honors as well as Group 3 North 2 supremacy.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Aaron Bodie - Forward
Jamal Reid - Guard
Stephon McNair - Guard
Ismael Sanogo - Forward
Shauntex Hill - Post
Akbar Hoffman - Guard
Jamar Gilbert - Guard