Final Top 20 State Rankings
#17-Paterson Charter (31-2)
The breakdown: The Lions were special and made history when they won their first-ever Group 1 state championship. Paterson Charter also did something awesome on the local level and won its first Passaic County title. This was a great group of players and refused to end the season without checking off those championship boxes. Senior Asim Jones was great and picked up his play in the biggest moments. He led a veteran starting lineup that also included Jamir Belfield, Marlon Harris, Jashair Rosa and Moshe Wilson. Ramir Frye and Adrian Mouzone played big minutes off the bench as go-to reserves. Paterson Charter beat Midland Park to win its second sectional title in program history. That win came a week after it knocked off Paterson Kennedy in the county final. The Lions came out slow in the Group 1 semis, but pulled away late to beat Glen Ridge. Paterson Charter left no doubt in a lopsided win over Burlington City in the state final. Then, the Lions really turned some heads with the way they competed against Elizabeth in the TOC
FIRST TEAM ALL GROUP 1
Asim Jones, Paterson Charter, Sr.
David Luberoff, Midland Park, Sr.
SECOND TEAM
Jashair Rosa, Paterson Charter, Sr.
Moshe Wilson, Paterson Charter, Sr.
THIRD TEAM
Evan Meberg, Bogota, Sr.
Logan Wejnert, Waldwick, Sr.
North Jersey Interscholastic Conference
By Brandon Gould | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Asim Jones, Paterson Charter, Sr.
Jones transferred to Paterson Charter last winter and helped set the tone ever since he set foot in the gym with the Lions. The talented 6-foot-3 guard was part of an undefeated season in 2021 and led the way this winter as Paterson Charter won the Group 1 title.
He averaged 22.5 points, 4.1 assists and 2.8 steals per game.
“We told coach from the first practice this year that we were going to the TOC,” Jones said after his team put on a show in the state final at Rutgers.
Jones scored 30 points against Burlington City in that state championship game and led Paterson Charter to its first-ever title. The senior also dropped 20 points against Paterson Kennedy earlier in the year and helped his team win its first Passaic County championship.
In the biggest spots, Jones played his best basketball.
“This team just kept working at it and we wanted to prove we were the best team in the county,” Jones said after beating Kennedy in the county final. “We had a slow start today, but it doesn’t matter how you start out. It’s how you finish.”
COACH OF THE YEAR: Adam Sidrow, Midland Park
This was a great season for Midland Park (20-7) as the Bergen County squad put up one of the best years in program history and went to the sectional final for the first time since 1998.
Senior David Luberoff led the way for Midland Park, averaging 25.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2.5 assists. The 6-foot-9 forward used his size to dominate in the paint, but he also showed some range and was one of the team’s best 3-point shooters.Luberoff finished his career with a 29-point, 14-rebound game against Paterson Charter.
TEAM OF THE YEAR: Paterson Charter
The Lions (31-2), No. 17 in the NJ.com Top 20, had a historic year.
Paterson Charter won its first eight games and then put together a 23-game winning streak after a loss to Newark Central. The Lions only other loss came against Elizabeth in the Tournament of Champions quarterfinals. Paterson Charter was in that game until the final minutes.
The Lions featured one of the best defenses in the state and that sparked its transition offense. Paterson Charter averaged 73.8 points per game while only giving an average of 42.3 points
Jones was the leader of a senior lineup that also featured Jamir Belfield, Marlon Harris, Jashair Rosa and Moshe Wilson. Senior Ramir Frye and junior Adrian Mouzone were great off the bench. That lineup was special and led Paterson Charter to a series of championships.
First, the Lions beat Dwight-Englewood to win the NJIC Tournament.
Then, Paterson Charter went out and pulled out a win over Paterson Kennedy in the county final. This squad won its second North 1, Group 1 title when it beat Midland Park and cemented the greatest season in program history with a win over Burlington City in the Group 1 final.
“Everybody here has the same mission and the same goal,” said Wilson, who transferred in last year along with Jones and Rosa. “We all came together and we knew this was the big game. From quarter one to quarter four, we got the job done. We went through a lot to get to this point, so shout out to everybody for supporting us. We love you all.”
OTHER NOTABLE STORYLINES: Bogota’s Jay Mahoney won his 700th game with the Bergen County program this winter and then called it a career in February. Mahoney is one of the all-time win leaders in the state of New Jersey and put Bogota basketball on the map.
Senior Evan Meberg averaged 28.5 points for the Bucs this winter.
–Dwight-Englewood (21-5) won the Liberty Division behind the play of senior David Mager, who finished the season averaging 27.1 points per game. Seniors Tyler Koutros and Ajani Rasbury also played well and helped this team make it to the NJIC title game.
–Saddle River Day (20-7) played well this winter and will bring back a tough squad next season. Juniors David Alexandre, Jeremiah Iyonnsi, Richard Machado and Parker Neuenhaus paced this team as it took on an independent schedule this season.
–Glen Rock (17-9) won the Colonial Division and earned a spot in the NJIC Tournament. Seniors Colin Boisits, Ryan Burke and Will Consoli helped this team have another big year.
–Rutherford (22-7) was led by the play of senior Patrick Rogers, who averaged 24.2 points and 11 rebounds. Junior Tarik Bicic was a triple-double threat for the Bergen County squad. Waldwick (17-10) also played well this season with senior Logan Wejnert averaging 28.1 points per game. Weehawken’s Keanu Ray averaged 24.3 points.
FINAL CONFERENCE RANKINGS
1-Paterson Charter (31-2)
2-Dwight-Englewood (21-5)
3-Saddle River Day (20-7)
4-St. Mary (Ruth.) (21-7)
5-Glen Rock (17-9)
6-Midland Park (21-7)
7-Rutherford (22-7)
8-Elmwood Park (17-8)
9-Emerson Boro (20-8)
10-Cresskill (13-12)
