Hudson County Interscholastic League Star Spotlight: Mark Armstrong, St. Peter’s Prep
In high school basketball, most eyes are on the big name seniors who are headed to Duke, Kentucky, or Villanova. It’s time to show some love for the young, talented players who are racking up offers after just one high…
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Continue ReadingIn high school basketball, most eyes are on the big name seniors who are headed to Duke, Kentucky, or Villanova. It’s time to show some love for the young, talented players who are racking up offers after just one high school season.
Enter Mark Armstrong of St. Peter’s Prep. The 6’2 point guard was unsure if he would even be on the varsity roster at the beginning of the season. He not only made the roster, but he dominated every game he played in. Armstrong averaged 16 points per game as a freshman. He finished with over 400 points which puts him in a position to reach the 1,000-point club either late in his sophomore season or early as a junior.
Armstrong was selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the week of January 3rd. He put up 23 points on Kearny, 25 vs. Bayonne, and 24 vs. Dickinson all in the span of one week. His best game might have been his 25-point outburst against the very talented St. Joseph’s Metuchen.
“He’s the most skilled freshman we’ve ever had,” St. Peter’s Prep head coach Alex Mirabel told Jim Hague of The Hudson Reporter. “Sometimes I forget that he’s still a 14-year-old freshman. He’s very poised and doesn’t play like a freshman. He’s not selfish at all and plays well off his teammates. He’s rebounding, running the floor and playing defense. He picks things up very quickly. He’s a special kind of kid.”
Armstrong followed in the footsteps of his father, Mark Sr., who won a state championship while at St. Peter’s Prep and went onto play at Rhode Island College. Armstrong will have no problem playing at the next level. After just one season, the 14-year old has offers from Rutgers, Rider, Marist, Fairleigh Dickinson, and St. Peter’s.
To be such a polished player at a young age is a rare quality. Armstrong is one of those players. St. Peter’s Prep is in a good spot for the next three seasons with this young player running the show.