South River boys look to improve on last season
Football stars leading the way in Ram backcourt
With a 3-3 record through the first six contests of 2001-2002, the South River High School boys’ basketball team is on track to better last year’s 10-13 mark.
Coach Carol Buffalino’s Rams have a combination of youth and experience this winter, with seniors Mike Feaster and Zack Earvin leading the offense, and an oft-injured 7-footer, senior Craig Miller, healthy, and hopefully a potent force.
"We have a good mix," says Buffalino. "With 6-2 forward Jamaal Bell back, we have three returning starters. I’d love to be 4-2 right now, but 3-3 is close to what I expected."
South River went 1-1 in the Piscataway Tech Holiday tournament, besting Bordentown, 53-51, then falling to Monroe, 72-60 in the title game. Leading the scoring for SRHS was Feaster, who popped in four three-pointers.
A 5-11 guard who averaged 16 points a game last year, Feaster is near that figure with a 15.5 mark, along with five rebounds per contest. Earvin, a 12.7 ppg. scorer last season, has a 16.5 average thus far, with five assists a game.
Bell has pulled down eight rebounds a game, but Buffalino is looking for even more from the senior.
"He’s doing very well on the glass and on defense," said the coach. "But I’d like to get him more involved in the scoring column."
Rounding out the starting five, junior Kevin Grabowski (5-11) is a good all-around player with a nice outside shot, as well as ability under the boards and as a passer. Miller, who packs 295 pounds on his 7-foot frame, will be especially crucial to the Ram cause.
"He’s just rounding into shape," said Buffalino. "He injured his foot as a freshman and junior. I want him to be able to play four or five minutes and then come out for a couple of minutes rest, which he needs. "
First off the bench, 5-11 sophomore Chris Selvaggio is the team’s third-high scorer with 8.5 ppg., and a knack for getting into hot streaks during a game.
"We can ride on him for certain stretches," said Buffalino. "He hit three big three-pointers against Monroe that at one point cut their 17-point lead to two."
Bob Bodak, a 6-2 senior, spells Miller and plays strong defense, while others who see minutes include 5-10 soph Tyreek Robinson, and J.J. Adilino (5-7), a freshman with fine ball-handling skills who needs some seasoning.
Completing the roster are senior John Soltis (5-10), 6-2 junior Doug Gunderson, and sophomores Lee Matesh (6-3), Robert Hickey (5-9), and Frank Gorchess (5-9).
The Rams’ next game is Saturday, as they go right back at Monroe.
"Our goal is to qualify for the states. I think we’ll all be disappointed if we don’t," said Buffalino, who is assisted by JV coach Kevin Gardner; frosh coach Mike Delversano; Dave Davidson, who handles the middle school; and volunteer Mike DeSantis.
"I think Central Jersey Group I is pretty wide open," he adds. "Anyone has a shot to win it."