Hard Work Is Paying Off For Mater Dei Senior Guard Kyle Cardaci By Lou Monaco

In his senior season at Mater Dei Prep, Kyle Cardaci’s hard work is paying off.

 

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior combo guard is having his best year on the hardwood to date. 

 

Cardaci, who has not yet committed to a college for next fall, leads the No. 10 team in the latest NJ.com Top 20 rankings, in three categories: scoring (143 points in nine games played, averaging 15.9 ppg); steals (21, 2.3 spg) and 3-pointers made (19, 2.1 pg). He is also second on the team in rebounding (34, 3.8 rpg). 

 

Cardaci’s scoring average has risen close to four points from his junior season and he had scored in double figures in the first eight games of this season, highlighted by a 21-point performance with two 3-pointers, seven assists, seven steals, and six rebounds in a convincing 94-34 road victory over Henry Hudson in Highlands on Jan. 8. 

 

His double-figure scoring streak was halted in a 59-45 road loss at No. 6 Ranney in Tinton Falls on Jan. 11, where Cardaci was held to just seven points in the Shore Conference showdown. 

 

“We played hard and as a team. Some calls didn't go our way and our offense wasn't coming as easy as it usually does, due to us not making shots which happens sometimes in the course of a season,” said Cardaci, who has already received offers from two NCAA Division II schools: Georgian Court and Holy Family. 

 

Cardaci, who enjoys pasta and hanging out with family and friends, also notched another honor to his resume, having been recently nominated as one of nine players in New Jersey’s class of 2018 to the McDonald’s 41st All American Games, which will be held March 28at 7 pm at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. Final rosters for the national boy’s showcase game will be revealed on Tuesday, Jan. 16. 

 

“I work hard and love the game. I think those around me see my passion and work just as hard,” said Cardaci, who is closing in on 1,000 career points and wants to lead his team to a Shore Conference and state championship. “It’s an honor to be considered a leader of this group of players I play with. We all love the game.”