Every year at this time, the Hudson Reporter newspaper chain publishes an edition that asks its writers to take a look into the future and see what might be in store for the coming year.
So it’s only natural that the Reporter call upon the services of the only renowned and round prognosticator and soothsayer, the turban-sporting, wand-waving, crystal-ball gazing wonder, the Great Hagueini, to peer into the future and pull out what might happen in the world of local sports in 2007.
Basketball
As the images become clearer in the crystal ball, Hagueini sees basketball as the first sport to appear. It appears as if North Bergen’s girls’ basketball team, led by James Madison-bound center Lauren Jimenez and standout guard Cassandra Chenet, will recapture the HCIAA Coviello title it relinquished in 2006. In the HCIAA Seglio, the image shows High Tech successfully defending its league title, with the appropriately named Naza Hot getting hot at the right time in the league playoffs.
Among the boys’ teams, Hagueini sees Bayonne, with Rashad Callaway and Nico Thompson, holding the trophy aloft in the Jersey City Armory after the HCIAA Coviello title game, having defeated Lincoln in the championship.
In the HCIAA Seglio, the crystal ball sees Hoboken, led by grid stars Duval Kamara and Norman Smith, repeating as champions, but getting a good scare from perennial Seglio contender St. Mary’s.
But the real story in basketball will be the fabulous Friars of St. Anthony, who will once again be a major force come NJSIAA state playoff time. In fact, the Great Hagueini sees the talented Friars steamrolling through the regular season, toppling St. Patrick’s of Elizabeth in the Parochial B North finals and winning the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions for the record 10th time.
The Friars will inch closer to the national record for state championships this season, with Michael Rosario earning All-State recognition.
New Jersey City University will make a return to the NCAA Division III tournament, led by Hall of Fame head coach Charlie Brown and a roster packed with local talent.
Baseball and softball
In the baseball race, Hagueini sees a tightly contested HCIAA Coviello bracket and a host of different teams being in the mix. But in the end, it will be St. Peter’s Prep that emerges victorious for veteran head coach Joe Urbanovich.
But Memorial standout Ramon Feliz will earn All-State recognition and be drafted in the Major League Baseball free agent amateur draft in June.
In the HCIAA Seglio, look for Hoboken and the talented Arocho brothers, Nate and Danny, to lead the Red Wings to another league title.
Come to think of it, the Red Wings will earn another Group I state sectional championship. After a drought of 12 years, the Red Wings make it consecutive years with state titles.
In softball, defending champion Holy Family Academy looks like the prohibitive favorite in the HCIAA Coviello, considering all the talented players the Falcons have returning, like All-Area pitcher Grace Keller.
In the Seglio, look for the two perennial rivals High Tech and Hoboken to knock heads once again, with Hoboken earning the nod this time, thanks to the overall athletic prowess of Jennifer Albuja.
Secaucus, led by the power hitting of Cory Roesing and the talents of young pitcher Samantha Schlemm, wins the Group I state sectional title, the first in the school’s history.
Track and field McNair Academic’s brilliant Leslie Njoku re-writes the local record books and earns her second straight gold medal at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions. Wait – Hagueini sees two gold medals draped around Njoku’s neck as she ends her phenomenal career in a blaze of glory. Throw in another national title for good measure.
Football
Hoboken’s standout running back Damien Bates will announce his intentions to go to the University of Delaware, where he can continue to play in a Delaware Wing-T offense that fits his talents best.
St. Peter’s Prep will rebound from its state championship debacle and continue its dominance in Hudson County, winning its eighth straight HCIAA championship. Quarterback Will Hill ends his career in fine fashion after declaring his intention to attend the University of Florida and earning High School All-American honors.
Darius Kinney of Hudson Catholic announces his intention to attend the University of Kansas.
On a down note, while several Hudson County teams qualify for the NJSIAA state playoffs, there will be no cause for celebration, as they all fall short of a state title.
Pro sports Brandon McGowan of Jersey City earns a trip to the Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears, but they lose to the San Diego Chargers in the big game.
Joe Borowski of Bayonne has a great year with the Cleveland Indians, leading them to the American League Central Division title.
Terrance Roberts of Jersey City, who is in his senior year at Syracuse, gets drafted in the NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
All in all, it shapes up as another great year for Hudson County sports for 2007.
The Great Hagueini sees the talented Friars steamrolling through the regular season.