Boys Basketball: Abdul Lewis of Newark East Side commits to South Alabama

When Abdul Lewis was looking for a college he was seeking one with the kind of family atmosphere he had become accustomed to during his time at Newark East Side. Twelve-hundred miles south, Lewis found that atmosphere and fit he was seeking.

Lewis, a 6-8, 220-pound power forward, made a verbal commitment to continue his career at the University of South Alabama on Monday.

"They're a family down there. That's what I was looking for, to find another family like my East Side team. I think that's the closest I'm going to get," said Lewis, who visited the campus this past weekend. "The coaching staff really seemed genuine. They seem like that they really care about me developing as a basketball player and my future."

Lewis becomes the second East Side senior to make a Division 1 commitment, joining forward Ismael Sanogo, who made a verbal pledge to Seton Hall University in July.

Lewis chose the Mobile school over offers from Wagner, NJIT and American University. The Newark native admitted that leaving the area was an appealing opportunity.

"I kind of wanted to get away from home," he said. "Growing up in Newark is not really one of the best places to grow up, so I did want to get out of the area."

Last season as a junior, Lewis averaged seven points and more than six rebounds per game to help lead East Side to a 25-8 record and its first state title since 2002. Lewis was a Second Team All-Newark selection for the Group 3 champions, who finished No. 14 in The Star-Ledger Top 20.

Expectations for the season ahead are high as East Side returns six of the top eight players from that team, highlighted by Lewis, Sanogo and guards Akbar Hoffman and Ahmad Harrison.

"Our goal is to make it to the Tournament of Champions final and hopefully win it all," Lewis said. "I think we're more than capable and as long as we stay focused, it can happened."

Jags Add Power Forward Commitment

As Augustine Rubit prepares to suit up for his final season at South Alabama, Coach Matthew Graves and his staff must look for the future stars for the South Alabama frontcourt. That search bore fruit this weekend as they secured the commitment of power forward Abdul Lewis of Newark, New Jersey.

Despite an injury that limited him on the AAU summer circuit (he played on the Roadrunners with current freshman guard Aakim Saintil) and cost him valuable recruiting exposure, the 6'8", 220lb athlete had earned offers from George Mason, Wagner, American and NJIT. Schools such as St. Josephs, Fordham and St. Louis had urged him to attend prep school instead of signing this year so that they could further evaluate him. An excellent student (he is already fully qualified), Lewis chose instead to give his commitment to South Alabama.

"I decided to sign with South Alabama because it was just a perfect for me," he told JagsJungle.com. "After hanging out with the coaches and players, I just knew it was where I wanted to be. Those guys are a family. Also, I fit into their style of play and they plan on using my versatility on offense and defense. I love the atmosphere in the South. It's something special that's just not present up North. Just a different feel. Knowing I would be playing with my former AAU teammate, point guard Aakim Saintil, just added another level of comfortability."

Lewis led his East Side High School team to the public school state title this past year, although his correct statistics from that season are not available. The skills he brings to the court will benefit the Raiders in their search for another title and the following year will help the Jags as they seek a Sun Belt title.

"I'm versatile at both ends of the floor," he said. "On offense I can score on the inside and dominate the paint and also step out and make long and mid range shots or beat defenders off the dribble. I have a good ball handle. On defense I can guard the post as well as taller perimeter players. (To be ready for college basketball) I need to improve my explosiveness and strength."

South Alabama expects to sign as many as three players in the fall period, which begins on November 13th.

Ish Photo Gallery

Newark East Side's Ismael Sanogo stays home, commits to Seton Hall University

Ismael Sanogo (3) of Newark East Side shoots during the NJSIAA Group 3 semifinals on March 7. Sanogo committed to Seton Hall University on his 17th birthday. (Alex Remnick/The Star-Ledger)

 

Newark East Side's Ismael Sanogo will be staying home for college, committing to Seton Hall University.

Sanogo, a 6-7, 190-pound combo forward made his announcement on a Tuesday conference call, selecting Seton Hall over George Mason, VCU, St. Joseph's and Pennsylvania. Overall, he had roughly 25 scholarship offers and is Seton Hall's first commitment from the Class of 2014.

"It was very unreal. I didn't expect that to happen," said Sanogo, who made the announcement on his 17th birthday. "To have the chance and to have the opportunity to go to a school that's right in my city is something amazing."

Sanogo's future basketball home, The Prudential Center, is less than two miles away from East Side High School.

"My verbal agreement to attend Seton Hall is an important one for me," he said. "Having the opportunity to play in the Big East Conference in my home state and home city, I hope to bring college basketball excitement to the area. Playing for Coach (Kevin) Willard at Seton Hall University is the best decision my family and I could make."

Last season, Sanogo averaged 9.0 points per game and was a defensive standout for a Newark East Side team, which went 25-7, won its first NJSIAA Group 3 title since 2002 and finished No. 14 in The Star-Ledger Top 20.

Right now, Sanogo's strength is on the defensive end, as he has the ability to guard the perimeter, while being a top shot-blocker and rebounder. Sanogo said he has spent the off-season improving his ball-handling and court vision and in the eyes of his coaches, is just starting the scratch the surface of his on-court potential.

"He's improved tremendously as a ball-handler and his range on his jump shot," Newark East Side co-head coach Anthony Tavares said. "He's a tremendous athlete, a great rebounder and he's somebody that doesn't say much, goes in there and competes. He's a wonderful competitor, he does a great job defensively and his biggest attribute is that he's a warrior.

"Once he gets in the weight room, puts 20 pounds of muscle on and does what he has to do, the sky's the limit. By the time he's 20 years old and going into his junior year in college, I think he can be one of the better players in the country if he works hard and stays humble."

NEWARK EASTSIDE BACK TO BACK “JUST JUNE CHAMP!

Paterson,N.J……..Newark Eastside defeated Paterson Eastside 48-28 to win the Playaz sponsored “Just June” tournament for the 2nd straight year! Ismael Sonago scored 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and for the second straight year was the M.V.P. of the league! newark Eastside reached the “Chip” by defeating Hudson Catholic 40-31 behind Sonago’s 14 points! Paterson Eastside reached the finals behind the play of Asem Johnson who scored 18 points in a close win over Don Bosco Prep 50-48! Newark Eastside will be one of the top teams in the State next season as they played without the services of 6’7 Abdul Lewis and guard Akbar Hoffman!

 

2013 Elite 1 Award Winners

Elite 1: Day One Outstanding Players

Jamar Gilbert | Newark East Side (N.J.) High School | 6-2 | 2014
Appeared to have a solid game with a nice shooting touch and the ability to create by finding the open man. Although it was only the first day his unselfish play turned some heads. Might be a solid player to watch this camp.

Abdul Lewis | Newark East Side (N.J.) High School | 6-8 | 2014
His size and strength impressed a few coaches during station work. While at the fast-break station he was running extremely well. Scouts in attendance are saying he may be the best post player in camp.

Big Things in Newark

Newark East Side (25-7) won its first state since 2002 with Randy Foye at point guard, when it won the Group 3 championship with a 60-54 victory over Camden.

East Side's eight-player rotation included five juniors and a sophomore, but they played with poise, led by forwards Ismael Sanogo, Abdul Lewis and Will Joyce, along with guards Akbar Hoffman and Ahmad Harrison. The team allowed just 43.0 points per game this season, and just 37.4 in seven state playoff games, giving co-head coaches Bryant Garvin and Anthony Tavares the best defensive group in their 13 years at the helm.

"I think they bought in as a family that defense wins championships," Tavares said. "From day one, once we started practicing, we stressed that defense was going to be the key to our season. Statistically, it definitely was the best one."

All-Newark: First Team: Everson Davis, West Side; Akbar Hoffman, Newark East Side; Rakwan Kelly, Newark Tech; Jerrel Pruit, Arts; Keywon Savage, Newark Central.

Second Team: Abdul Lewis, Newark East Side; Jerrell Murray, University; Dwayne Murrill, Newark Tech; Ismael Sanogo, Newark East Side; Tyree Sykes, Newark Tech.

ALL-JUNIOR TEAM

First Team: Everson Davis, West Side; Akbar Hoffman, East Side; Jerrel Pruit, Arts; Tyree Sykes, Newark Tech; Keywon Savage, Central;

Second Team: Nasir Farmer, Newark Central; Abdul Lewis, East Side; Jerrell Murray, University; David Runcie, Columbia; Ismael Sanogo, East Side;

Third Team: Alex Kaslander, Verona; Eric Moore, Shabazz; Isaiah Scott, West Orange; Joe Slattery, Cedar Grove; Ramon Wright, Irvington.

Player of the Year: Akbar Hoffman, East Side

-ESSEX COUNTY

FIRST TEAM

Akbar Hoffman, Newark East Side, 6-1, 175 pounds, Junior

The junior was a feared outside shooter, especially in the big moments. He hit five 3-pointers, including the winner at the buzzer, against Newark Tech in the Essex County Tournament semifinals. The guard averaged 14.8 points over his last 13 games and 11.2 for the season.

THIRD TEAM

Al-Jahaad Bradford, Irvington

Jerrell Murray, University
Jerrel Pruit, Arts
Ismael Sanogo, Newark East Side
Tyree Sykes, Newark Tech

ALL-GROUP 3

FIRST TEAM

Brandon Federici, Colts Neck

Tavaris Headen, Camden

Joel Hernandez, Teaneck

Akbar Hoffman, Newark East Side

Shaakir Lindsey, Teaneck

ALL-JUNIOR

FIRST TEAM

Wade Baldwin, St. Joseph (Met.)

Matt Farrell, Point Pleasant Beach

Rashard Figures, Hackensack

Jay Howard, Paul VI

Quadri Moore, Linden

SECOND TEAM

Juwuan Carter, DePaul

Tavaris Headen, Camden

Zack Heeman, Mount Olive

Akbar Hoffman, Newark East Side

Marques Townes, St. Joseph (Met.)

THE STAR-LEDGER FINAL TOP 20 AND STATEWIDE RANKINGS

1-Roselle Catholic (25-5)

2-St. Joseph (Met.) (27-5)

3-St. Anthony (28-2)

4-Hudson Catholic (29-2)

5-Atlantic City (30-2)

6-Patrick School (24-4)

7-East Brunswick (26-4)

8-St. Peter’s Prep (23-7)

9-Linden (22-8)

10-Seton Hall Prep (26-3)

11-Ridge (27-2)

12-Elizabeth (18-7)

13-Newark Tech (23-9)

14-Newark East Side (25-7)

15-Teaneck (27-4)

16-Hackensack (27-5)

17-Gill St. Bernard’s (19-8)

18-Paul VI (27-3)

19-Notre Dame (25-4)

20-Pope John (20-8)

 

GROUP 3

1-Newark East Side (25-7)

2-Teaneck (27-4)

3-Sparta (25-5)

4-Mount Olive (23-6)

5-Irvington (14-12)

6-Camden (21-11)

7-Chatham (22-6)

8-Lawrence (19-11)

9-Colts Neck (22-6)

10-Morristown (18-8)

 

ESSEX

1-Seton Hall Prep (26-3)

2-Newark Tech (23-9)

3-Newark East Side (25-7)

4-Irvington (14-12)

5-Bloomfield (16-13)

6-Montclair (21-6)

7-Columbia (11-15)

8-University (19-9)

9-Newark Central (19-8)

10-Orange (13-10)

Newark Public Schools Tournament, Final Round - Boys Basketball

If Stephen McNair and his Newark East Side teammates needed any motivation during the Newark Public Schools Tournament, all they would have to do is think back to a year earlier.

A year removed from being upset in the semifinals, the crown of best in Newark returns to East Side as it defeated Newark Central, 58-41, in the Newark Public Schools Tournament final yesterday at Essex County College in Newark.

The win marked the third title in four seasons for East Side (7-0), ranked No. 15 in The Star-Ledger Top 20.

"Last year we didn’t live up to expectations," McNair said. "So this year, we knew we had to come out and we had to show that we’re the best team in Newark and that we can compete with any team in the state."

Ismael Sanogo, who was named the tournament’s MVP, admitted that East Side was looking to erase the memory of how its tournament run ended last season.

"We came in with a grudge, we played angry," Sanogo said . "All throughout the tournament, we played angry. That drove everything. That empowered us to play harder. It meant everything to us."

That anger was channeled to yesterday’s final in swift fashion. McNair gave East Side a 10-0 lead on a 3-pointer with 3:52 left in the first quarter.

Keywon Savage got Central (5-3) on the board with a 3-pointer, but East Side responded with eight unanswered points and never looked back.

Six different players scored as it took a 37-14 lead into the intermission.

"I feel like everybody’s scoring," forward Abdul Lewis said. "We’re very well balanced so it’s hard to stop us."

Sanogo, who finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, gave East Side its biggest lead of the day with a put-back to make it 46-16 midway through the third quarter. McNair and William Joyce added 10 points apiece.

Lewis added 14 rebounds and six points as he, along with Sanogo and Joyce, controlled the glass and allowed McNair, Jamar Gilbert, Ahmad Harrison and Rashan Lynn to be aggressive on the perimeter.

"It’s very important for us to be aggressive on the perimeter so we can force their guards to turn the ball over," McNair said. "We also know that we have Ismael Sanogo, Abdul Lewis and Will Joyce to block shots and get the ball in transition."

Nasir Farmer led Central with 18 points. Savage added eight points and seven rebounds.

Newark Holiday Basketball Tournament Championship History

On Saturday, Central and East Side will be competing in the championship game of the 27th Newark Public Schools Holiday Tournament.

Here is a look at the championship game history of the tournament, which in the past was open to teams from outside of the Brick City.
2011: Unversity 51, Shabazz 45
2010: East Side 59, Central 50
2009: East Side 62, University 57
2008: Science Park 55, Shabazz 52
2007: Science Park 65, University 64
2006: Science Park 57, University 49
2005: Science Park 49, East Side 46
2004: Shabazz 63, Science Park 60
2003: University 67, East Side 52
2002: East Side 79, University 52
2001: East Side 72, West Side 56
2000: Shabazz 63, Weequahic 59
1999: West Side 65, Barringer 54
1998: East Side 76, Shabazz 72
1997: Barringer 67, Shabazz 65
1996: Shabazz 78, Weequahic 54
1995: Weequahic 54, Shabazz 52
1994: Shabazz 50, Linden 47
1993: West Side 60, Shabazz 57
1992: Newark Tech 71, Shabazz 61
1991: Newark Tech 74, West Side 36
1990: East Side 60, West Side 56
1989: Shabazz 67, Weequahic 49
1988: Barringer 53, Shabazz 48
1987: Nazareth (NY) 57, Barringer 46
1986: Shabazz 70, Barringer 58
Newark Holiday Tournament Titles
6: East Side, Shabazz
4: Science Park
2: Barringer, Newark Tech, University, West Side
1: Nazareth (NY), Weequahic
Most Consecutive Newark Holiday Tournament Titles
4: Science Park (2005-2008)
Newark Holiday Tournament Final Appearances
14: Shabazz
9: East Side
6: University
5: Barringer, Science Park, West Side
4: Weequahic
2: Central, Newark Tech
1: Linden, Nazareth (NY

Boys Basketball: Previewing the 2012 Newark Public Schools Tournament

The 2012 Newark Public Schools Holiday Tournament starts on Saturday with four first round games. Here's a look at some of the key players and teams to watch.

THE FAVORITE
This Newark East Side team might be the best one co-coaches Bryant Garvin and Anthony Tavares have had during their 12-year tenure at the school.

East Side has plenty of size with four players standing 6-3 or higher, led by 6-foot-7 junior Abdul Lewis, 6-foot-6 junior Ismael Sanogo and 6-foot-4 senior Will Joyce. Sophomore Ahmad Harrison is emerging as one of the area's best wings and Akbar Hoffman has been a standout at guard for a team with a rotation that goes 10-deep.

East Side topples Irvington in opener

MSG Varsity

The calendar definitely read Dec. 14 and the schedule confirmed this as Newark East Side's opening game.

It's just that anywhere one looked, the Red Raiders were blithely defying that seasonal reality Friday afternoon against Irvington.

Yes this was indeed the first game, technically speaking. But from an aesthetic perspective, this played more like something East Side would have been proud to display somewhere in the late rounds of the Essex County Tournament.

And if they continue to perform in this manner, the Red Raiders will be there.

Junior guard Akbar Hoffman led a nicely balanced offense with 13 points off the bench, Abdul Lewis scored 12 points and had eight rebounds and fellow junior forward Ismael Sanogo contributed six points and a game-high 14 rebounds to pace a 55-36 victory in Irvington.

"With this team here, everybody should get 10, 12, 15 points," co-head coach Anthony Tavares said. "As long as they play defense the way they did today, we have an opportunity to be pretty good."

Signs of quality were evident last year when the Red Raiders won 13 of 14 games from mid January to late February before falling to eventual champion Plainfield, 71-57, in the semifinals of the Group 3 tournament. The many underclassmen from that club quickly filed that loss away in a mental folder that could be retrieved at a moment's notice.

"As soon as we lost that game against Plainfield, we started working, and we pledged that we would never lose another game like that again," Sanogo said. "We're here to make a statement."

That statement on Friday seemed like it had been spilled directly from the lips of coaches Tavares or Bryant Garvin before being processed by the players.

Which, in effect, was true. The ball sharing and rebounding, the defense both on the perimeter and in the lane, and the constant communication that kept that defense sound were all things that guys preach over and over in coaching clinics. And it's all stuff the Red Raiders have been focusing on now for months.

"We put a lot of time and effort in the summer driving up to Paterson playing in the league up there with (director) Jimmy Salmon," Tavares said. "And in the fall, these guys were in the (Paterson) Kennedy league playing against teams like St. Anthony and St. Benedict's. We prepared ourselves for the wars in this (Super Essex) conference."

Irvington was well prepared to do battle, too, but just found itself a bit undersized and not quite deep enough to contend with an opponent playing this crisply on both sides of the floor. East Side shot almost 50 percent, got at least four points from all eight players, forced 17 turnovers and blocked eight shots. The 6-7 Lewis swatted three, 6-6 Sanogo and 6-4 Will Joyce had two apiece and 6-1 senior guard Stephen McNair blocked one.

"The key was we just kept getting stops," Lewis said. "We were just playing hard and not letting them score. We look for good D and we like to have everybody score."

Shakur Juiston, a 6-7 junior forward, scored 13 points and pulled down nine rebounds and 5-8 senior point guard Al-Jahaad Bradford scored 12 points to pace Irvington. Juiston, who showed energy and diligence in the lane, netted nine points and also had two steals in the first half, but his team had already fallen behind, 27-15, before intermission.

Lewis was East Side's leader in that half with six points, though right behind were Sanogo, Hoffman and Jamar Gilbert with five each.

Sanogo had the prettiest basket of that stretch with a putback dunk and Hoffman had the longest with a 3-pointer from the right corner. But everything else was almost undistinguishable because it was all predicated upon tough defense and good ball movement.

"It doesn't matter who scores," Sanogo said. "It only matters that we stop them on defense, we score and then we get back and play some more D."

East Side's defense was so thorough that Irvington had not reached 20 points until a putback by Juiston early in the fourth quarter made the score 41-21. The Blue Knights did play more cohesively on offense for the rest of the period, while East Side's overall shooting dropped off slightly. There was nothing for East Side to fear, but those small lapses will help the group sharpen its product.

"I didn’t like in the fourth quarter how we turned the ball over and stopping playing defense," Tavares said. "What we'll stress tomorrow is to not get complacent and work hard every day."

Mike Kinney covers boys basketball for MSG Varsity. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeKinneyHS

Some East Side College Stuff

Newark's Reid Signs With Felician Men's Basketball

RUTHERFORD, N.J. – High-school senior Jamal Reid (Newark, NJ/East Side) has signed an athletic financial aid agreement to continue his basketball career with Felician College, Felician head men's coach David DeFerrari announced today.
Reid, a 6-foot, 170-pound point guard, is ranked among the top 60 seniors in New Jersey by the recruiting newsletter NJ Hoops. According to NJ Hoops, he averaged 11.2 points per game in 2011-12 for Newark East Side High. He helped lead the Red Raiders to a 19-6 record and a final NJ Hoops ranking of 25^th in the state.
Reid was a team captain and the team MVP this season at East Side. He played his AAU basketball for the NJ Road Runners. He intends to major in business administration at Felician.
"We are very pleased to have Jamal join our basketball family," said DeFerrari, who is entering his fourth season with the Golden Falcons. "He is a quality young man who comes from quality high-school and AAU programs, and we expect him to contribute right away."
Felician is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). The Golden Falcons will look to bounce back from a 7-19 overall won-lost record in 2011-12

Proud to see our kids in college....

Eddie Griffin Challenge: Juniors

Ismael Sanogo
	6-foot-6 Post Newark Eastside
Abdul Lewis
	6-foot-7 Post Newark Eastside

Two Rising Sophomores Shine At The Hoop Group Future All-American Camp

Taj Price is still growing into his body, but that does not stop the 6’5 power forward from producing. A class of 2015 prospect out of Newark Eastside (NJ), Price has a very good frame and nice length. He does a superb job of scoring the basketball down low and showed off the ability to toss in a hook shot.

NOTES — Award Winners

- MVP: Josh Reaves, 2015, CG, 6’3, Paul VI (VA)
- Co-Most Outstanding Prospect: Isaiah Briscoe, 2015, PG, 6’2, St. Benedict’s (NJ)
- Co-Most Outstanding Prospect: Thomas Bryant, 2015, PF, 6’9, Bishop Kearney (NY)
- Most Improved Player: Sylvester Ogbonda, 2015, C, 6’10, National Christian Academy (MD)
- Mr. Hustle: Kelly Hogan, 2015, PF, 6’5, Seton Hall Prep (NJ)
- Stations Star: Nicholas Blake, 2015, PG, 5’10, St. Maria Goretti (MD)
- Sweatshops Star: Ahmad Harrison, 2015, PG, 6’1, Newark Eastside (NJ)

Ahmad Harrison | Newark East Side (N.J.) | 6-1 G | 2015
During early scrimmages, Harrison seemed to make an impact in every aspect of the game. He was able to knock down jumpers from both mid and long-range and his ability to distribute the ball was showcased with a few behind the back passes.

After four days of high-energy instruction and competitive gameplay, the best of the best at Future All-American Camp were named to all-star teams.

Super Soph Black All-Stars

Name	Height	City, State	School	Graduation Year
Ahmad Harrison	5'10"	Newark, N.J.	Newark Eastside	2015