Burlington County Boys’ Notebook

Liberty Division. Trenton Catholic Academy won the Tournament of Champions title last season. The Iron Mikes might not duplicate that this season, but they are heavy favorites to defend their Liberty Division title.

Trenton Catholic is led by 6-foot-3 senior Khalid Lewis-El, who has committed to Delaware, as well as Brandon Taylor, a 6-8 junior forward from Tabernacle who is being recruited by West Virginia and Notre Dame, among others.

Rancocas Valley should be a strong second. The Red Devils are led by 6-3 senior Kenny Johnson, who averaged 13 points, as well as 6-0 junior Tarig Jett.

Rancocas Valley's top inside players are 6-5 senior Kareem Jones, who is recovering from a knee injury, and 6-3 junior Dom Twitty. The Red Devils will get plenty of defensive pressure from senior guards Kalee Marshall and Travis Bailey.

The long-term key for Rancocas Valley will be the return to health of senior guard Elijah Bailey, who likely will be out until mid-to-late January with a broken wrist. Bailey is the team's top outside shooter.

Senior Avery Holliday, a 6-0 guard, is the only returning starter for Burlington Township. The Falcons also will get a lift from 6-0 senior David Coulanges, a good outside shooter, as well as 6-4 junior Danny Rodriguez, a transfer from Mercerberg (Pa.) Academy.

Moorestown went 13-13 last season but surged to the South Jersey Group 3 finals. The Quakers will be hurt by the loss of senior Garrett Kerr, who transferred to Middle Township, but return a deep group that should improve during the course of the season.

Leading the way will be 6-6 senior Mike Angeleri, who averaged nine points last season. Senior guards Chad Gamble, Phil Gamble, and Will McDonnell will be in the mix, along with 6-5 senior center Connor Rieger.

Junior guards Alex Martinelli and Wes Kerr also should make an impact for Moorestown.

Patriot Division. Medford Tech has five seniors with three years of varsity experience, including 5-11 guard Devonte Carey, who averaged 14 for last year's 17-win team.

The Jaguars also feature 6-4 senior Donte Martinez, who averaged 10.5 points, and 6-2 senior Lamaine Cooper, who averaged 10.2 points. Khalik Sutton, a 5-11 guard, and Greg Lawson, a 6-5 forward, are the team's other seniors.

Cinnaminson returns one of South Jersey's top scorers in 5-11 senior guard Max DiLeo, who averaged 20.2 points, as well as another top player in 6-2 senior Napoleon Blamon.

The key for the Pirates will be the development of complementary players. Among the returning lettermen are 6-0 senior Mark Berardis, 6-2 sophomore Xavier Wilson, and 5-10 sophomore Dan Haddon.

Willingboro returns two starters from a 25-4 team that lost the Central Jersey Group 2 title game to Shabazz in overtime.

Seniors Kyle George, a 6-4 forward, and Terell Maloney, a 5-9 guard, will lead the way for the Chimeras in a bit of a rebuilding year. Willingboro also should get a boost from guards Maurice Counts and Noah Taylor.

Holy Cross could surprise with five juniors in the starting lineup, plus a top sixth man in 6-0 senior Kyle Semmel.

The Lancers should be led by 6-1 junior Lloyd Smith, an outside threat, as well as 6-0 juniors Shamus Keegan and Justin Dornish.

Northern Burlington lacks experience, but should be competitive behind 6-0 guard Cory Cort. The Greyhounds also will feature 6-5 junior Alex Irwin, 6-0 junior Carlos Cruz, 5-8 junior Fred Young, and 5-10 sophomore Joe Montalvo.

Delran returns a pair of starters in 5-10 senior Anthony Bruno and 5-7 sophomore Vishu Solanki. The Bears should get a lift from the arrival of a 5-7 junior guard Derrick Mitchell, a transfer from Palmyra.

Freedom Division. Florence returns four starters and should challenge for the division title.

Adam Schmidt, a 6-4 senior forward, was a first-team all-Freedom selection last season. Senior guard Manan DeSai led the team with 49 three-pointers and junior Kevin Allison, a 6-2 swingman, led the team in scoring with a 10.3 average.

Junior guard D'Andre Davis is another returning starter for the Flashes.

Burlington City will be in contention with a top senior in 6-3 swingman Shaquille Butler, the team's lone returning starter who averaged 12 points.

New Egypt has a top interior player in 6-9 senior Desmond Hubert.

Maple Shade hopes to bounce back from a 1-22 season. The Wildcats return a pair of starters in 6-0 guards Kevin Eldridge and Phillip Jarmon and should get a lift from veterans Paky Borges, Kelcie Rivers, and Robert Anderson.

   - Phil Anastasia