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Days after 1,000th win, Hurley comes to Philly

Bob Hurley, the 39th-year coach of North Jersey basketball power St. Anthony, said he nearly called it quits six years ago.

Bob Hurley, the 39th-year coach of North Jersey basketball power St. Anthony, said he nearly called it quits six years ago.

"I was kind of tired, didn't have the same energy as I had in past years," he said. "In addition to coaching, I had a full-time job, stuff going on with my family, and other things. It was a bit stressful."

Hurley, now retired from his position as director of recreation in Jersey City, chose to stay with the Friars. The victories, as a result, have continued to pile up. On Wednesday, in a 76-46 romp over neighboring St. Mary, Hurley claimed his 1,000th career triumph.

"I never dreamed about reaching that number," he said. "It's pretty wild. I was totally shocked by the attention it drew. There must have been 25 to 30 media people at the gym, and I was told it was part of the highlights on ESPN's SportsCenter that night."

Hurley and his St. Anthony team, 17-0 overall and ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today, come to town this weekend. The Friars will meet Friends' Central at 1:45 p.m. Sunday in the Hakim Warrick/Philly.com/Rally Classic at Philadelphia University.

The Phoenix, ranked No. 1 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, are 18-3.

"We've watched one film of them so far," Hurley said early Friday afternoon. "We see some similarities in the way they play and the way we play. Like us, they're quick at the guard spot and have some length in the back."

Hurley, 63, improved his career record to 1,001-110 with an 84-14 rout of Hoboken Charter one day after reaching the milestone.

"It's a very difficult moment to get to," he said. "You have to do this for a long time, be pretty good at it, and have an awful lot of help along the way. It's a wonderful accomplishment. We're very proud of it."

These days, much of Hurley's free time is spent with his wife, Chris, and the couple's 21-month-old grandchild, Gabriel Ursic. Outside of that, he reads, works out, and watches ex-Friars, including Villanova sophomore guard Dominic Cheek, in person and on television.

"I have a lot more energy for coaching now," Hurley said. "I don't have as much on my plate, and that helps a lot. When I get to practice, I'm refreshed and ready to go."

Hurley's two sons have followed in his footsteps. Danny Hurley, formerly the coach at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, N.J., is now the boss at Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y., with Bobby Hurley, the ex-Duke standout who made it to the NBA, as his assistant.

"They're really enjoying it," Bob Hurley said, "and they've done a good job so far. The people in Staten Island appreciate how hard the team has been playing."

At St. Anthony, a coed school of about 250 students in Jersey City, Hurley has guided the Friars to 23 state championships in the Non-Public Group B classification, 10 Tournament of Champions plaques, and three mythical national titles.

St. Anthony is led by 6-foot-8, 225-pound junior swingman Kyle Anderson, who is averaging 12.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks.

"He's the most versatile kid I've ever coached," said Hurley, who will be honored before Sunday's contest. "He can play any of five positions. Next year, he could be our primary ballhandler."

Anderson and 5-9 senior point guard Myles Mack, a Rutgers recruit averaging 15 points and 3.5 assists, enrolled at St. Anthony after Paramus Catholic closed its doors last June, citing enormous debt.

"St. Anthony is coached by a legend, the team is athletic, it's strong, and it's extremely talented," Friends' Central coach Jason Polykoff said. "It's hard to find any weakness."

On defense, St. Anthony, which has won by an average margin of 31.6 points, mixes a man-to-man set and a 1-1-3 matchup zone.

Said Hurley: "One of my players was interviewed recently and said, 'It's interesting to play for a coach with centuries of experience.' As a coach, I like to try different things. I think it's important for an older coach to stay current."

Sunday's action will tip off at noon, with No. 9 Penn Wood facing No. 8 Neshaminy, and close with Lower Merion playing Malcolm X Shabazz, of Newark, N.J., at 3:30.