LONG BRANCH – With nine players, including four starters, fresh off the gridiron, the Green Wave basketball team is hoping for the same result on the court as the football team had on the field when they won this year’s NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV championship.
While this may set the Green Wave back initially with a lack of practice time and getting into basketball shape, it will only be temporary and in the long run should actually help once they make a full transition.
“I think football helped us a lot because after we got the ring everyone’s getting after it and we want to have that feeling again,” said starting point guard Marc Dennis. “I think that feeling will carry over to the basketball season.”
Once again the Class B North will be a bear getting to the top of the division with the likes of Manasquan, Middletown North and Red Bank Catholic all expected to be in the mix for the division title again this year along with Long Branch, who has as good of a shot at the title as do any of the others – and just may be the favorites.
Last season Long Branch was in contention for a share of the Class B North title up until the last week of the season when they won four of their last five regular season games including a 10-point win over Red Bank Catholic, who shared piece of the title with the Warriors and the Lions.
With four of last season’s five starters back from a team that went 15-11, including going 9-5 in the B North, the Green Wave is looking to take the division title and make a longer run in the state playoffs after a quarterfinal elimination last season.
“My freshman year and sophomore year we felt like we could’ve got it,” Dennis said about falling short the previous two years. “We let a few games slip but now that’s our main focus – first the B North then Shore Conference, then the states.”
However, first-year head coach Sean Fitzgerald has made it clear to his team that no one is assured of a starting job and that it must be earned.
“Our new coach, Fitz, made it clear that everyone’s playing for a position,” said Dennis when asked what the starting lineup will be. “No matter if you had a spot last year or how long you’ve been playing everyone’s playing for a position.”
Barring any unforeseen changes, however, Fitzgerald’s starting lineup should look pretty much the same as it did last season, which is a good thing for the new coach.
Dennis, only a junior, is back to run the show at the point and is the only underclassman in the projected starting lineup. Dennis posted big numbers averaging 13.6 points and 4.2 assists on his way to being selected first team All-B North.
Senior shooting guard Tyree Morris – a four-year varsity player – returns after a year that earned him third team B-North honors after averaging 14.2 points per game. Seniors Kevin Porch and T.J. Fosque – star wide receivers on the football team – return at forward and bring size and athleticism to the club.
The 6-foot-4 Fosque has made an oral commitment to play football for Monmouth University.
Add 6-foot-5 center Kaymar Mimes into the mix and the Green Wave boasts a front court that envies none but will intimidates all. Mimes is an All-State defensive end holding scholarship offers from Rutgers, Michigan State and Wake Forest just to name a few, and he’ll be patrolling the paint throwing his big body around.
Senior guard Mark Hill also returns after playing significant minutes off the bench last season as the sixth man but Hill’s role this season will be as key to the team’s success as anyone’s.
Expect junior guard Sir Hill to break into the rotation at some point after moving up from JV. Sophomore 6-foot-3 Lucas Telles De Sa will be in the forward rotation along with juniors Matt Clark and Latrell Bennett, while seniors Juwan Wilkins – who quarterbacked the football team, Laron Young and Elijah Sherin will provide depth at guard.
“We just have to buy in and eliminate as many distractions as you possibly can,” Dennis said when asked what has to happen for the team to take the step to the next level. “Everyone has to focus and be prepared every day. Coach wants us to compete every day. Compete in practice, compete in games just always compete.”
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