From one city to another, the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by The Army National Guard rolled along Wednesday, April 18th. St. Patrick's High School, with its illustrious basketball program, is located about a 5-minute drive, off the beautiful NJ Turnpike, just south of The Liberty Newark Airport. The high school adjacent to St. Patrick Academy, is home to some of the most powerful basketball teams, first, in New Jersey, secondly, throughout basketball hot-bed Metro NY, and now nationally. Spearheaded by Head Coach Kevin Boyle, this current dynasty is loaded with talent both from the past and the present. In the rafters at the small, old gym hangs Al Harrington, current NBA-er who went directly to the Pros from high school. Basketball trophies fill the cases at the tiny school in Elizabeth but we would be remiss if we didn't mention how academics and strong discipline are stressed as well.
Students, dressed in uniform, entered quietly into the gym by class. First, the grade school children from the Academy, then the frosh, soph's and juniors entered and took their seats - boys on one side, girls on the other. Then, as the seniors waited in the hall, all students rose and the seniors entered and made their way to the front of the gym- signifying respect.
Head Coach Kevin Boyle introduced MaxPreps rep, Peter DeRogatis who talked about St Patrick's 30-point average margin of victory and their willingness to play the best - their anybody and anywhere mentality- highlighted by the tremendous victory against OJ Mayo's Huntington team in WV on ESPN in overtime.
Peter then introduced SGT Gonzalez from the NJ Army National Guard who presented Coach Boyle the MaxPreps National Ranking Trophy to a major applause.
Afterwards, Peter honored standout player and Villanova-bound guard, Corey Fisher with the T-Mobile MOP Award.
Photo shots were taken afterwards with the team, The Guard, & coaches concluding with a good ol' basketball junkie conversation with Coach Boyle and School Principal Joe Picaro, a former basketball player himself. It's obvious they love their hoops at St. Patrick High School!
