Old friends Hurley, DeFazio tabbed as coaches of year
The 2001 Hudson Reporter All-Area Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Teams once again represent a true barometer of the immense hoop talent that Hudson County has to offer.
It wasn’t an easy task narrowing down the county’s best players to an elite 15, then a final five for the First Team, but after major consideration it’s been determined that the All-Area team selected features the players most deserving of the honors.
Among the boys, it was a no-brainer for the choice of player of the year. For the second straight year, the honor goes to St. Anthony’s brilliant guard Elijah Ingram, who led the Friars to the NJSIAA Parochial B and eventually, the Tournament of Champions title. The 5-11 Ingram averaged nearly 17 points per game for the Friars this season and looms as one of the premier college recruits in the nation next year.
There are times when a legendary coach’s efforts get overlooked in post-season honors. St. Anthony’s Bob Hurley isn’t simply the coach of the year, but a coach of a lifetime. However, Hurley gets the nod as coach of the year this season, turning a team that was 17-8 a year ago into the No. 1 team in the state.
The surprise team of the year honor goes to the Patriots of Secaucus, which came within a few points of winning the North Jersey Section 1, Group I championship, a year after being below .500. Credit the work of Coach Bill Millevoi Jr. for the turnaround and the post-season honor.
Among the girls, there’s no surprise for the player of the year honors. For an unprecedented fourth straight year, the honor goes to Marist’s Tara Walker, who finally led the Lady Knights to their place in history, namely the NJSIAA Parochial B North championship. Walker averaged 24 points and 15 rebounds per game for the Knights and leaves the school as the No. 3 scorer in Hudson County history.
The girls’ coach of the year honor goes to Marist’s Bill DeFazio, who guided the Lady Knights to the HCIAA and state titles.
Ironically, DeFazio and Hurley have been long-time friends, since they grew up in the Greenville section of Jersey City together as kids.
The surprise team of the year goes to the Lady Bulldogs of Emerson, who emerged this season as a legitimate Hudson County contender, with credit going to rookie Head Coach Vinnie Sasso.
Among the boys, Ingram and David Vega of Memorial are repeat honorees from a year ago. Walker, teammate Makeda Gleaton of Marist and Sophia Vucetaj of St. Dominic Academy are returnees from last year’s All-Area First Team Girls’ squad.