Skyland Conference Recap

The Skyland Conference, one of the oft-forgotten power players in New Jersey basketball, produced a number of contenders this year, not just from within private ranks, but also within the public school realm.

Starting at the very top, Kris Grundy and Montgomery had a banner year. His squad took on all comers, finishing 25-6 and advancing to the Group IV State Final before running into the Plainfield hammer. Throughout much of the season, Ethan Lin and his teammates were within punching distance of the top teams in the state and will look back on this season with pride. In addition to Lin, seniors Bohdan Biekietov and Kyryl Streltsov provided muscle in the post, wihle senior Christian Hill emerged as a real scoring leader and freshman Mike Simborski has Montgomery fans excited for the future.

In most places, a 20-10 season is considered a smashing success. Those places aren't Rutgers Prep under Matt Bloom. In spite of having an extremely young(but talented) team, the Argos took on one of the most difficult schedules in the slate and Bloom tested his team every single night. There were flashes of the future, some close calls and they'll all want that Saint Rose game back, but the future, behind Jacob Canton, Andrew Kretkowski, Rocco Loomis and others, is one of the brightest in the state.

Everything written about Rutgers Prep also applies to Mergin Sina and Gill St Bernards. Slightly more experienced, but still the same "anyone, anytime, anywhere" mindset. GSB finished 22-7 and lost to Roselle Catholic in the North Jersey Non Public B Final. They'll return a number of talented players next year, and freshman Connor Junker will have to take a step forward on his impressive first year as Kobe Closeil and Stanley Njekwe graduate.

Skyland Conference Player Of The Year

Ethan Lin, Montgomery

The 6'5" do-it-all junior is among the best players in the state for the class of 2026 and he stepped up every time Montgomery needed him. He scored over 600 points on the season and made a name for himself as a legitimate D1 prospect. His high water mark was 31, twice, against Monroe and Rutgers Prep.

All-Skyland First Team Sensational Seven

Matthew Scerbo Jr, Phillipsburg

Jacob Canton, Rutgers Prep

Kobe Closeil, Gill St Bernards

Bohdan Biekietov, Montgomery

Myles Parker, Rutgers Prep

Riley Gorman, Immaculata

Luke Kreitz, Ridge

All-Skyland Second Team Sensational Seven

Dorsett Mulcahy, Gill St Bernards

Christian Hill, Montgomery

Andrew Kretkowski, Rutgers Prep

Cole Hayden, Immaculata

Brady Scheier, Somerville

Edryn Morales, Manville

Eric Klemmer, Delaware Valley

All-Skyland Third Team Sensational Seven

Connor Junker, Gill St Bernards

Tommy Denvir, Delaware Valley

Dean Schaefer, Warren Hills

Robbie Cassavell, Voorhees

Quinn Dashefsky, Ridge

Connor Keyes, South Hunterdon

Monty Douglass, Bernards

Skyland Conferece Final Rankings

1. Montgomery(25-6)

2. Gill St Bernards(22-7)

3. Rutgers Prep(20-10)

4. Ridge(22-7)

5. Phillipsburg(19-9)

6. Immaculata(20-8)

7. Delaware Valley(20-9)

8. Somerville(19-9)

9. Voorhees(18-8)

10. Manville(19-9)