BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer
METUCHEN — Two of the top teams in the state tipped off at Seton Hall University earlier this week when St. Joseph High School and Don Bosco took the floor.
Forced to play with two key players sidelined, including 6-foot-5 senior Josh Batts, the St. Joseph Falcons fell to Don Bosco, 52-26. The Ironmen’s 6-foot-11 senior and Division I prospect John Oates owned the paint and punished the Falcons for 21 points, 15 boards and five blocks.
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 1-1. St. Joe’s beat Greater Middlesex Conference rival Piscataway High School in the season opener, 46-41. In the victory, sophomore Sean Baptiste led the team. The 6-foot-3 swing player scored 16 points and collected 11 rebounds in his first varsity appearance.
"Sean was the best player on the junior varsity team last year," head coach Mark Taylor said. "He can play at either the three or four position, and he is an all-around solid player. He’s tough, non-stop, and he finishes well inside."
Baptiste is a nice acquisition for Taylor. Last season’s team went 19-8 for the season, lost in the GMC Tournament Championship to Cardinal McCarrick, but lost three top players.
Point guard Calvin Cannon led the Falcons in scoring a year ago and is currently starting for Jacksonville State College in Miami, Fla.
Baptiste has replaced forward Tom Scott, who is playing at Muhlenberg, and a starter from last season, Jonathon Dixon, who transferred to Lawrenceville Prep.
Joining Baptiste in the Falcon lineup is a supporting cast that, when at full strength, should make another run at the GMC Championships and perhaps a state title.
Leading the list is shooting guard Rob Petrocola. A threat from behind the three-point line, the 6-foot-2 senior should open up the inside for Taylor’s big men.
"Rob is an extremely tough kid," Taylor said.
"He plays tough all of the time and is one of the team’s best shooters."
Metuchen’s own Fofi Mgbako will anchor the inside.
The 6-foot-6 center is hailed as the team’s most improved player.
"Fofi is a great kid," Taylor said. "Aside from showing tremendous improvement and working on his post moves, Fofi earned a 1540 on the SAT and was granted early acceptance at Harvard."
In the backcourt for the Falcons are point guards Kevin Joyce and Brian Hennessey.
"Kevin is a steady and smart player, and he will control the game for us," Taylor said. "Brian is the type of player a coach loves to have. He’s a gritty kid and he plays with a fearless swagger."
Coming off the bench and gaining notoriety in just the first two games is freshman Anthony Nelson. The 6-foot-1 all-purpose guard will relieve both Joyce and Hennessey.
"Anthony is dynamite," Taylor said. "He can do it all and he will see a lot of action this season."
Also coming off the Falcon bench is senior Danny McDonald. McDonald was a Falcon starter as a sophomore, but was forced out of the lineup last season with an injury. The team’s Mr. Versatility, McDonald can play every position on the floor.
For most area teams, this would be an outstanding roster. For the Falcons, it is only part of the story. In January, the team will see transfers Anthony Bynom and Kenny Nidgeon take the floor.
Bynom is a 6-foot-11, 255-pound senior from Salisbury Prep High School in Pennsylvania. His obvious size will be tough to deal with, but he is more than just a wide body.
"Anthony is a very good player," Taylor said. "He has good hands, shoots well, has excellent coordination and runs the floor exceptionally well for his size."
Nidgeon is a 6-4, 220-pound sophomore that has the potential to become one of the state’s best.
The rising star averaged 20 points per game for Gil St. Bernard High School last year.
"The situation with the transfers makes for a strange year," Taylor said.
"It is like coaching two teams. Before the middle of January, the team will play an up-tempo style, and midway through the season, we get big and strong. We should be a solid team if everything comes together and the guys play as a group. We need to find out if this team has a leader."
The Falcons entered the Buc Classic at Red Bank Regional High School over the weekend, looking to rebound from the loss to Don Bosco.
The team was scheduled to meet Franklin High School in the opening round on Saturday.