Although the Dwight Morrow boys basketball team lost to number one ranked Ramapo in triple, yes, triple overtime in the state quarterfinals, it did not feel like a total loss. Going 20-7 with a new coach and a loaded roaster, the Raiders exceeded expectations all season. They not only won the Big North Conference Championship for the fifth straight year, but went undefeated in the league, proving that they were no match for crosstown rivals like Dumont, Fort Lee, and Cliffside Park.

“The 2017-2018 boys basketball team came into the season with a mission to compete at the highest level they knew they were capable of,” Director of Athletics Richard Suchanski explained.

DM not only hung around with bigger programs when playing loaded teams like Ramapo, Ridgewood, Mahwah and Don Bosco this year, but proved they’ll be sticking around as a top team in Bergen County for a long time.

“It feels like after years of taking beatings from upper level schools, we’ve finally proven that we can compete at a higher level of basketball,” senior Macio Robinson said.

The boys made it further in the Bergen County Jamboree and the State tournament than they have in over eight years, not even making it to the Jamboree last year. This is thanks to great guard play by seniors Geo Garrison and Macio Robinson, not to mention junior sensation Martini Martin. Forwards Jihad Edmond and Owen Roberts also contributed, with Owen getting second team all county and Martini getting third team all county. On top of this, Geo immortalized himself in school history when he scored his 1,000th  point against DePaul Catholic. He will be attending Howard University in the fall on a football scholarship.

“I think it’s a great honor to now be on a list with such great players,” Geo said. “You see their names on the banner every single day in practice, and every night there’s a game, so just knowing I’ll be up there soon is a testament to all the hard work that has paid off,” he added smiling.

Despite the fact that the all important seniors are leaving, the Raiders are bringing back a majority of their talent next year with three contributing juniors and standout sophomore Andres Fulgencio Jr., who will be looking for a starting role next year. They had a lot to appreciate this year after their addition of Coach Leo Jones, and definitely have a lot to look forward to.