Alex Mirabel knew exactly what he was getting into, when he decided to take over the ravaged St. Peter’s Prep basketball team.
The 31-year-old Mirabel, the former assistant coach at Prep, was elevated to head coach when former coach Todd Decker stepped down after last season, a year that ended with the Marauders capturing the NJSIAA Non-Public A North championship.
Soon after the season was over, the entire Marauder roster left for other schools. At one point, it appeared as if the Marauders were to be a favorite to win the state and Hudson County titles, with seven top players seemingly returning this season.
But they all left. Hudson Reporter All-Area honorees Veer Singh (now at Thurgood Marshall Academy in New York) and Nate Pierre-Louis (now at St. Benedict’s Prep|) decided to transfer. So did talented inside players Kaleb Bishop (now at St. Anthony) and Najja Hunter (now at Westtown High School in Pennsylvania), two players who are projected to become NCAA Division I players.
The mass exodus of coach and players left the Marauder program in shambles. It also left Mirabel, a former standout player at Dickinson and New Jersey City University, to pick up the pieces.
But Mirabel isn’t complaining about what happened in the past. He’s more about the future with an entirely new roster. Only junior Shamar Waterman was on the Prep roster a year ago.
“I don’t think it’s become more of a challenge,” Mirabel said. “I’m enjoying it. We have kids playing with energy and effort. Everything is falling into place. We’re extremely young, but the kids are picking it up. Patience is definitely the most needed thing.”
The Marauders started the season with a tough loss to Snyder, then suffered another 30-point loss to Passaic Valley in the Union City Holiday Tournament. But the Marauders have since rebounded, defeating Hoboken Charter, Memorial and Ferris in succession to improve to 3-2.
Mirabel said that he’s blessed to have former St. Anthony standout guard Ahmad Mosby join his coaching staff.
“Ahmad has been spending a lot of time with our guards,” Mirabel said. “He’s my best friend, so he’s helped me tremendously. All of the coaches are all on the same page, so that’s the most important thing with a young team.”
How young? Well, right now, the Marauders are starting three freshmen. There’s not a single senior among the lot. Sure thing, this band of brothers at Grand and Warren will be forced to learn on the job.
But Mirabel doesn’t mind.
“I’m extremely pleased,” Mirabel said. “We’ve been able to teach them a lot.”
Freshman Ricky Colon is the Marauders’ starting power forward. The 6-foot-4 Colon has been a solid producer for the Marauders on the inside.
Shyane Simon is another freshman who is getting playing time right away. The 6-foot-3 Simon had 16 points in the loss to Passaic Valley.
Brendan Thiele is another freshman with impact. The 6-foot-2 Thiele had 15 points in the win over Ferris last Monday.
“He’s a kid with a very bright future,” Mirabel said. “He’s going to be a stud.”
So a team counting on three freshmen has to endure some growing pains. Mirabel understands. The entire Prep program is taking a step backward to move forward.
Sophomore Jorge Portorreal is another player with a very bright future. Portorreal suffered a preseason injury and is working his way back.
“He could eventually be a starter,” Mirabel said. “He’s coming back.”
Sophomore Jordyn Owens has been holding fort as the team’s starting point guard for now.
“He’s picking things up fast,” Owens said of the 5-foot-10 Owens, who had 12 points in the win over Ferris. “He’s been getting things in order and has been taking things in like a sponge.”
Owens also had 11 points in the win over Memorial, sinking three 3-point baskets.
Waterman is another key Marauder, especially with his experience.
“He’s my leader and captain,” Mirabel said. “He’s our leading scorer so far.”
Waterman had 18 points in the Memorial win, 15 in the win over Hoboken Charter and 15 in the loss to Snyder.
“He’s getting better by the day,” Mirabel said. “He’s playing very well.”
Junior Tom McIntyre is a 6-foot-6 inside presence.
“He has a good basketball IQ,” Mirabel said. “He’s a good rebounder. This is the first time he’s playing basketball. I saw him in school and asked him to play. He’s really dedicated his time to becoming a better player.”
McIntyre has basketball in his blood, as his father played at St. John’s and in the American Basketball Association with the New York Nets.
The Marauders have another future standout with basketball in his family. Sophomore guard Luke Bukowiec is the adopted son of Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Carol Blazejowski, the former Montclair State standout who was once the general manager of the New York Liberty of the WNBA.
“I talk to her a lot,” Mirabel said. “She doesn’t miss a game. I take her advice.”
Mike Strazza is a 5-foot-10 sophomore guard.
“He’s a tough defensive player and one of the toughest kids we have on the team,” Mirabel said.
Mirabel knows that the once-feared Prep basketball program is building its way back.
“All of the kids on the roster, other than Waterman, had never played varsity,” Mirabel said. “But it’s not bad at all. I love this. Coaching is my passion. It’s what I’m supposed to do and what I intend to do for a very long time.” – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.