Bergen Catholic: Key Contributors, Departures and What to Expect During the 2019-2020 Season
Recap of 2018-2019 The 2018-2019 campaign for Bergen Catholic was nothing short of dynamic, winning the Non-Public A state title before ultimately losing to Ranney in the Tournament of Champions (TOC) finals, 67-63. With a 25-5 record and a deep…
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Continue ReadingRecap of 2018-2019
The 2018-2019 campaign for Bergen Catholic was nothing short of dynamic, winning the Non-Public A state title before ultimately losing to Ranney in the Tournament of Champions (TOC) finals, 67-63. With a 25-5 record and a deep team of high-level prospects, the Crusaders ended the season with a top 10 ranking in New Jersey. Led by seniors Doug Edert and Zach Freemantle, Bergen Catholic was one of the best teams in the state. Now with six seniors having graduated from their dominant 2018-2019 team, how will the early Bergen County favorites fare in 2020?
Key Contributors
If the Crusaders want to expand upon their success of last season and ultimately hail as TOC champions, it will be made possible through the terrific-trio of Matt Zona, Raejon Figures and Will Richardson.
Zona needs no introduction as an excellent big man who is one of the State’s best all-around players. The Notre Dame commit has good size combined with great strength and a soft touch around the basket. As a Junior, Zona was pivotal in Bergen Catholics Non-Public A state title. While very few had solutions for slowing down the determined big man last year, his senior season has the potential to be one for the record books.
Figures, who has drawn a lot of hype and buzz dating back to last season, is due for a significant leap in his final year of high school. With an impressive ability to see the floor and handle pressure from the defense, Figures will have a critical role in the overall success of the 2018-2019 campaign. With Edert now in the college ranks, look for Figures to make a big impact and prove his believers right.
Perhaps the biggest X factor for Bergen Catholic this season will be the play of Sophomore guard Will Richardson. Armed with an incredible crossover dribble, capable range on his jump shot and an ability to get to the rim relatively easy, Richardson is shaping up to be maybe the most pivotal part of the Bergen Catholic equation. If Richardson can follow up his impressive summer and fall in which he blazed through the competition at multiple tournaments, Bergen Catholic could very well be back in the TOC finals.
Key Losses
The two most significant departures from the Bergen Catholic roster is that of seniors Doug Edert and Zach Freemantle. Standing at 6’9, 215 pounds, Feemantle was a do-it-all player, scoring, rebounding and blocking shots among the very best in New Jersey. Widely recognized as one of the best players in the country, Freemantle helped lead the Crusaders to a 73-15 record during his career while also posting an impressive 1,152 points, 635 rebounds and 122 blocks. Freemantle’s presence will be tough to replace as he is now in the College ranks at Xavier.
Edert will be missed at Bergen Catholic and his late-season heroics, proving more than capable of producing in the biggest games of the season will be tough to replace. Serving as team captain and scoring over one thousand career points, Bergen Catholic will need several key players to fill the void.
Key Matchup
Jan. 23, 2020 — The much anticipated Jamboree rematch will be one of the highlights on the Bergen Catholic schedule. Bergen Catholic defeated two-time defending Don Bosco Prep in the Jamboree final, 54-41 in February.
Predictions
With a nucleus of D-1 talent and a championship pedigree, the Crusaders will likely win upward of 25 games, putting themselves in prime position to revenge their tough TOC championship defeat. Bergen Catholic has a good chance of repeating as Jamboree and state champions and cementing themselves among the best teams in New Jersey.