North Arlington suffered a big blow to start the season when Krystian Morawski suffered a season-ending injury, but the rest of the Vikings took up the cause.

In Morawski the Vikings lost a 25-point a game scorer, but the Vikings continued to gel as the season went along and played better as the season ended.

North Arlington finished with a 13-11 record. They did fall in the first round of the Group 1 North 2 state sectional.

The Vikings head coach Dave Walsh points to the team’s best victories in defeating Secaucus and New Milford at home. "We beat a New Milford team that had beaten four Jamboree teams," said Walsh whose team improved by five wins this season. "We had a big effort and took advantage of it (home court against New Milford)."

Without Morawski North Arlington was looking for someone to step up to take up the scoring lead. It did not happen until later in the season as sophomore guard Peter Santos took control. Santos would end up leading the team in scoring with 11.5 points per game along with four assists and two rebounds a game. Walsh is looking for him to step up big in 2008-09.

Santos was named to the All BCSL National first team. "He’s gotten better and better as the season went along," said Walsh. "The first part of the season we did not know who are leading scorers were. The last part of the season he (Santos) became our leading scorer."

Walsh added that Santos reminds him of Christian Muniz of Wood-Ridge who developed his game over the years. This season Muniz was a senior and was a top quality player. "He’s (Santos) got great speed and physical strength," said Walsh.

A player who improved significantly this season was senior forward Ryan Kenny who was named to the All National second team. Kenny led the Vikings in rebounds with 11.5 a game and also had six blocks a game.

"If he keeps playing in college he is just going to get better and better," said Walsh.

Along with Santos and Kenny, senior Joe Monahan was named to the All-National honorable mention team. "Joe had the best drive on the team and was a very good offensive rebounder," said Walsh.

While Santos grew to become the team’s dangerous offensive weapon, North Arlington’s reputation was that as a tough, defensive squad. "We played very well defensively and it was defense that kept us in the games," said Walsh.

Part of the defensive quality was the result of it being the first class that went through Walsh’s system. Walsh became head coach at North Arlington four years ago and his defensive style of ball has hit fruition.

With the likes this season of Kenny, Monahan and Michael Gross, North Arlington improved on the boards especially in the defensive end. "We were giving up two to three shots before this season," said Walsh.

With the likes of Kenny, Monahan and Gross graduating, North Arlington will need to find some players to rebound. "We’re going to have to have a good shooting team because we are going to have a tough time rebounding," said Walsh.