Top Players

• 6-6 SR V.J. Edgecombe ... ESPN-8
• 6-11 JR Alier Maluk (FLORIDA STATE) ... ESPN-44
• 6-4 JR Kiyan Anthony ... ESPN-51
• 6-0 JR Nigel James, Jr.
• 6-9 SR Godswill Erheriene (SETON HALL)

Crusaders At A Glance

MAXPREPS “TOP 25” PRESEASON RANKING: 2
BALLISLIFE “FAB 50” RANKING: 4

It didn’t take long for coach John Buck’s “LuHi” dynasty (290-59 during Buck’s tenure) to make an impression in its first NIBC run. The Crusaders ripped off nine consecutive league wins after early-season setbacks against Montverde and IMG, and went unbeaten between Dec. 9 and March 30 as it steamrolled to the Federation title and finished No. 3 in the nation (MaxPreps). The breakout star was 6-6 SR V.J. Edgecombe (15.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.3 apg), but LuHi has a loaded returning rotation and has added shot-altering Florida State commit 6-11 JR Alier Maluk (15.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.1 blocks for WPIAL & Pennsylvania PIAA 1A state champion Imani Christian) and 6-4 JR Kiyan Anthony (Christ The King NY) to go with returning Seton Hall recruit 6-9 SR Godswill Erheriene (7.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg), who exploded for 20 points (five dunks) in an 81-52 rout of Victor in the Federation semifinals. An impact arrival is fast-rising point guard 6-0 JR Nigel James, Jr. (13 ppg, 6 apg, 4 rpg at Cushing Academy MA), with 6-5 JR Jacob Ross, 6-1 JR Kayden Mingo and 6-3 SOPH Dylan Mingo all back. … Edgecombe had a stellar summer, posting 26 points, 10 boards and six assists against Garner Road in the adidas 3SSB July event in Rock Hill, S.C., while Dylan (17 ppg) and Kayden Mingo (14.6 ppg) starred for the PSA Cardinals’ 15U and 16U teams at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. … Anthony is the son of 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, a likely first-ballot Hall of Famer who retired in May.