MaxPreps 2013-14 Preseason Top 25 high school basketball rankings presented by the Army National Guard

Loaded with eight players already committed to Division I college basketball programs (and likely more to come), head coach Kevin Boyle and Montverde Academy begin the season at No. 1.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jason Hickman
By
Nov 6, 2013, 12:17am
Roselle Catholic had reason to celebrate after knocking off St. Anthony in the playoffs last year.
Roselle Catholic had reason to celebrate after knocking off St. Anthony in the playoffs last year.
Photo by Richard Ta
No. 12 Roselle Catholic (N.J.)
Head coach: Dave Boff
2012-13 record: 25-5, NJSIAA Tournament of Champions winner
Players to watch: Isaiah Briscoe (6-3, Jr., G), Matt Bullock (6-4, So., G/F), Ganlandou Cisse (6-9, Jr., F/C), Asante Gist (5-11, So., G), Pierre Sarr (6-7, Jr., F), Chris Silva (6-9, Jr., F/C)

Breaking down the Lions

Though it wasn't enough to get Roselle Catholic in our final national rankings (much to the chagrin of Boff), Roselle Catholic went on one of the more impressive state playoff runs in the entire country last March.
Isaiah Briscoe transferred to Roselle Catholic over the summer after two successful seasons at St. Benedict's Prep.
Isaiah Briscoe transferred to Roselle Catholic over the summer after two successful seasons at St. Benedict's Prep.
Photo by Vincent Carchietta

First, Roselle Catholic handled The Patrick School (Elizabeth) by 16 in the Non-Public B semis. Then came an upset of a nationally ranked St. Anthony (Jersey City) team that entered with a 28-1 record.

The final statement victory was an impressive 65-49 win over Karl Towns and St. Joseph (Metuchen) in the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions title game.

Tyler Roberson, now a freshman at Syracuse, is gone along with outgoing transfer Malachi Richardson, but the ceiling for this year's Lions could be even higher than it was with that duo in the lineup.

Much of that optimism goes to Briscoe, a powerful junior guard who transferred to Roselle from St. Benedict's Prep (Newark). The floor general has a linebacker body and a winning track record. Gist, though just a sophomore, gives Briscoe a dangerous running mate in the backcourt after playing a big role for the Lions as a freshman.

Cisse and Sarr are new to the program but should make Roselle Catholic a matchup nightmare at the forward spots along with Silva – a Top 100 prospect with several big-time offers.

Key dates
Dec. 20 – vs. The Patrick School (Elizabeth, N.J.)
Jan. 18 – vs. Northland (Columbus, Ohio) at Flyin' to the Hoop
Jan. 20 – vs. Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.) at Flyin' to the Hoop
Feb. 9 - vs. St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) at PrimeTime Shootout
Feb. 15 – vs. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)

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