Preseason NPP Top 25: No. 2 St. Patrick

2. St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.)
Last year: 30-3, won state Tournament of Champions
Coach: Kevin Boyle
Top players: G Kyrie Irving (6-2, Sr.); F Michael Gilchrist (6-7, Jr.); F Julian Washburn (6-8, Sr.); F Josh Daniel (6-8, Sr.); G Kevin Boyle Jr. (5-10, Sr.); G Derrick Gordon (6-3, Jr.); F Austin Colbert (6-9, Fr.); F Chase Plummer (6-5, Sr.)
Top games: Dec. 5 vs. Bishop Loughlin (N.Y.); Dec. 26-30 at MaxPreps Holiday Classic (San Diego); Jan. 18 vs. No. 1 Findlay Prep at Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.); Jan. 23 vs. No. 9 St. Benedict’s; Jan. 30 vs. No. 23 White Station (Tenn.) at The Rock Classic (Newark, N.J.); Feb. 6 vs. No. 19 Taft (Calif.) in Santa Ana (Calif.); Feb. 12 vs. No. 3 Oak Hill (Va.) at Primetime Shootout (Rutgers University); Feb. 13 vs. No. 24 Rice (N.Y.) at Primetime Shootout (Trenton, N.J.).
Notable: Boyle counts at least 10 future Division I players on his roster including experienced veterans Irving (Duke) and top-rated junior Gilchrist. The Celtics also picked up two talented transfers in Washburn (Duncanville, Texas) and Western Kentucky recruit Gordon (Word of God Academy, N.C.). The team has excellent depth and size and should be very strong on defense.
Quotable: “This has the potential to be our best team.” - Boyle, who has led the Celtics to five consecutive Top 25 finishes in the National Prep Poll.