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Legendary basketball powerhouse St. Anthony High School (N.J.) shutting down

St. Anthony High School

St. Anthony High School — the New Jersey high school that has produced one of the best basketball programs in the country — is closing it’s doors.

Principal Bob Hurley is also the Jersey City school’s legendary basketball coach. He stated that the fundraising numbers were just not on par with what was needed to continue.

“Hurley said in recent days that enrollment was not far off its typical number but was not as strong as the school hoped,” Jeremy Schneider of NJ.com reported. “He described the possible closure as “a cloud hanging over the school all year” when it came to enrollment efforts. And despite a series of successful fundraisers held since the school’s dire money situation was revealed, there was still a financial gap that the school was unable to close to solidify the institution’s future.”

Per Schneider, Hurley began coaching the basketball team in 1972. In that time, the team has won 28 state championships, four national championships, and has completed eight seasons (including 2015-16) with an undefeated record.

Hurley’s son Bobby, who played for him at St. Anthony before starring at Duke, enjoying a brief NBA career. He currently coaches and is but one of many notable alums. Other NBA players include Terry Dehere, Roshown McLeod, Josh Moore, Terrence Roberts and David Rivers. Other alums who went on to pro sports include MLB players Kyle Anderson, Willie Banks, and John Valentin.

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