Tournament of Champions: 5 facts about Don Bosco by Greg Mattura of The Record
After winning the state Non-Public A boys basketball championship with Saturday’s 69-66 victory over defending champion St. Augustine, Don Bosco advanced to the 29th annual Tournament of Champions.
Seeded third, the Ironmen will play No. 6 Verona in the quarterfinals Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Pine Belt Arena in Toms River.
Here are five things to know about this team:
1. Don Bosco is making its TOC debut
The all-boys parochial school in Ramsey hadn’t won an NJSIAA title since 1970, when it capped a five-year stretch with a third title. Saturday’s three-point victory over St. Augustine at Pine Belt Arena avenged last year’s 83-50 loss to the Hermits.
2. Bergen becomes a handful at the TOC
Don Bosco is the fifth Bergen County school to qualify for the TOC, following Bogota, Bergen Catholic, Teaneck and Bergenfield. Bergen County has had at least one state champion for three consecutive years, and the last time that happened was 1968.
3. Ironmen haven’t lost in two months
Don Bosco (28-1) carries a 19-game winning streak into its quarterfinal against Group 1 champion Verona. The Ironmen’s lone loss was Jan. 13 at home to rival Bergen Catholic, 67-62, and they followed by winning division, Bergen Jamboree and sectional titles.
BCCA All-Bergen County Boys Basketball Team 2017
4. Senior leadership is a key
Longtime coach Kevin Diverio has repeatedly praised his senior leadership as a key to the team’s success. Those 12th graders are G Charlie Bagin, who scored a team-high 19 points against St. Augustine, G/F Chris Paul, 6-foot-7 C Manley Dorme and 6-9 F Chris Lovisolo.
5. They feature an eight-player rotation
The team has four juniors who are part of the rotation: F Marcellus Earlington, who had 16 points and nine rebounds against St. Augustine, and G/F Ronald Harper are starters. Coming off the bench are guards Matt Herasme and Michael Concannon.