Bob Hurley still is the boss when it comes to his younger son, Dan.
Bob’s St. Anthony team finished No. 1 in the final prepnation.com poll after going 32-0 and winning its 10th Tournament of Champions crown. Danny Hurley’s St. Benedict’s team finished at No. 2 after going 24-1.
Lance Stephenson’s Brooklyn Lincoln team ended at No. 6 after winning the New York State Federation Tournament of Champions title.
St. Anthony and St. Ben’s also finished 1-2 in the USA Today Super 25 rankings and the ESPN High Elite 25.
So the obvious question is, What has to be done to get those two teams in the gym to face off for a one-game state and national championship?
Can a newspaper or soft drink company put up enough money to make it happen?
Bob Hurley’s answer sent the media contingent at the T of C finals into outbursts of laughter.
“I think that Mrs. Hurley would have to be involved in this,” Hurley said, “and she has champagne tastes with a beer budget. I’m not sure if the (Star-)Ledger can make up that difference. The tension in the household, it’s going to have to be some reward for us to move on that.”
Previous National Prep Poll champions with records and coaches:1988–Bronx, N.Y., Tolentine (30-1), John Sarandrea
1989–Jersey City, N.J., St. Anthony (32-0), Bob Hurley
1990–Chicago, King (32-0), Landon Cox
1991–Philadelphia, Simon Gratz (27-1), Bill Ellerbee
1992–Baltimore, Dunbar (29-0), Pete Pompey
1993–Mouth of Wilson, Va., Oak Hill (30-0), Steve Smith
1994–Mouth of Wilson, Va., Oak Hill (30-1), Steve Smith
1995–New Orleans, St. Augustine (37-1), Bernard Griffith
1996–Jersey City, N.J., St. Anthony (31-0), Bob Hurley
1997–Peoria, Ill., Manual (31-1), Wayne McClain
1998–Frederick, Md., St. John’s at Prospect Hall (25-0), Stu Vetter
1999–Mouth of Wilson, Va., Oak Hill (31-0), Steve Smith
2000–Compton, Calif., Dominguez (35-2), Russell Otis
2001–Mouth of Wilson, Va., Oak Hill (32-1), Steve Smith
2002–Dallas, Lincoln (40-0), Leonard Bishop
2003–Akron, Ohio, St. Vincent-St. Mary (25-1), Dru Joyce II
2004–Mouth of Wilson, Va., Oak Hill (38-0), Steve Smith
2005–Niagara Falls, N.Y. (28-1), Dan Bazzani
2006–Indianapolis, Lawrence North (29-0), Jack Keefer
2007–Mouth of Wilson, Va., Oak Hill (40-1), Steve Smith
2008–Jersey, City, N.J., St. Anthony (32-0), Bob Hurley.
