The 2008 St. Anthony Friars
Six D-1 Seniors Help Hurley To 25th Championship
Mike Rosario and Tyshawn Taylor are two of six D1-bound seniors on the number one high school team in the nation.
The 2008 version of the Saint Anthony High School Friars will go down as one of the best teams that Bob Hurley has ever coached. They will also be remembered as one of the best high school teams, ever.
With a win over Trenton Catholic on Saturday, the Friars clinch the Non-Public B state title—the 25th time Hurley’s team has ever accomplished this. The Friars’ 25th championship gives them the national record for most state titles. Today’s win makes St. Anthony 30-0 on the year.
After the Friars’ run in the Tournament of Champions, Hurley will have to say goodbye to six seniors, who will go on to play division-one basketball. Here is a breakdown of these players:
Mike Rosario (Rutgers)
Rosario has hit countless three-pointers for Hurley over the past three seasons. He has the sweetest stroke of anybody in the state of New Jersey. He is known for his great shooting ability, but he brings more to the table than just shooting. Rosario is an extraordinary athlete, and has tremendous control of his body when he attacks the rim. Defenders can’t give him an inch, or he will score.
Jiovanny Fontan (Fordham)
Fontan is the definition of a true point guard. Hurley trusts Jio to run the offense—and Fontan always delivers. He is a team player, and can be the most important player on the floor even if he doesn’t score. Jio is also a lockdown defender; he is especially good when he is on the ball.
Travon Woodall (Pittsburgh)
Woodall took the role of sixth man on this team, and ran with it. Hurley has praised Travon’s attitude, and Woodall has provided instant offense off of the bench. Woodall is a great passer and a fearless defender. His quickness causes mismatches for many guards. Travon gives Hurley another ball-handling option. He is one of three Big East-bound guards.
Tyshawn Taylor (Marquette)
In Hurley’s eyes, Taylor is the best athlete on his team. Taylor is known for his thunderous slams and great speed. However, he is much more than a great athlete. Taylor showed off his defensive skills when he kept Tyreke Evans, one of the nation’s best players, in check in a game broadcasted on ESPN. Many believe that Taylor has the highest ceiling of all of Hurley’s guards. He has improved the most over his four years at St. Anthony.
AJ Rogers (St. Joseph’s)
Rogers is a 6’6 forward that battles on the boards and allows Hurley’s guards to roam free. AJ takes care of the “dirty work” for Coach Hurley—normally guarding the opponent’s most talented forwards. His defense has been terrific all season, performing particularly well against Trevor Clemmings of Paterson Catholic, and Kansas-bound Quintrell Thomas of St. Patrick’s. Hurley normally uses AJ to set screens and to free up his guards. Rogers is another team-oriented player that never forces a bad shot.
Alberto Estwick (Fordham)
There isn't much playing time for Alberto, because of the crowded backcourt, but he has the potential to be a diamond in the rough. Standing at 6’3, Estwick has a good frame, and has very good potential. Alberto may develop into a slasher in college, but Estwick has shown flashes of a nice stroke and has shown the ability to defend both quick guards and forwards with good size. He has the tools to become a very good guard in the Atlantic-10 somewhere down the road.
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