While for many teams the state's realignment was a good thing that provided more equal competition, the formation of the Super Essex Conference was perhaps the worst thing that could've happened to the Columbia boys basketball team.

"The realignment will be tough. We have a new league, so every night will be tough," said Columbia boys basketball head coach Jerry Hill. "There will be some really good teams with losing records in our league."

After going 19-9 a season ago, reaching the North II Group 4 state sectional semifinals, Columbia has just one starter returning and has been put in the top league of the SEC. Three of the teams in the American Division played in a state sectional final last year and one of them actually won. Of all eight teams in the division, only Irvington missed the postseason.

Another fact to consider is that a season ago, Columbia went 16-3 in the Iron Hills, something that will almost definitely not happen this year in the SEC, meaning that it could be a tough season for the locals. It could be especially tough if you consider they went 1-5 last year against opponents who will be in their division this season.

"We are going to have to really gel as a team and the young guys are going to have to step up and play to their potential," Hill said. "I have high expectations, but I'm also a realist."

Columbia lost four starters and has a very young team this year as a result. Despite the losses and the new conference, Hill is confident in the returning players, despite the lack of varsity experience.

"We have a very good class of core juniors," he said.

Hill said that one thing he expects to remain the same from last year is the level of defense played. Defense was the team's strength a year ago, when they surrendered about 52 points per contest. On the other side of the ball, they scored nearly 60 points per game. But losing their top three leading scorers from a year ago will put points at a premium for the Cougars this season. Columbia will have to find a way to replace over 30 points per game.

Even on the defensive side of the ball, the loss of Sean Glynn, a co-captain from last year, could prove to be monumental. Glynn accounted for more than 36 percent of all of Columbia's steals, swiping over three per game.

On the positive side, the locals do have their best big man from last year coming back in Femi Agunbiade. A senior co-captain this season, Agunbiade led the Cougars in blocked shots and rebounds last year. Hill also added that junior guard Jamar Chavis played very well during the summer and is having a great preseason. Hill said that he may be the team's most improved player.

In the end, Hill said he doesn't really know what to expect from his young team in an extremely difficult division. He hopes to qualify for the state sectionals, where they will certainly be battle tested from playing some of the top teams in the state. What will be paramount for the locals is to win the games they are supposed to win. It will be tough to beat Science Park and Seton Hall Prep on a regular basis, but in order to qualify for states, the Cougars will have to be near perfect against teams of equal or lesser talent.

Columbia's regular season begins on Friday, Dec. 19, against East Orange.