By paul salus
Staff Writer
The Ocean Township boys’ basketball team makes its return to the Shore Conference’s A North division this year with hopes of competing for what should be a well-deserved division title.
First-year head coach and long-time assistant Jeff Reisler is confident that his team has the intelligence, skill and dedication to make the 2002-2003 season a successful one.
"We have a very solid team with a good mixture of experience and raw talent," said Reisler. "I see the older guys teaching the younger guys the ropes, and I think we have some strong team leadership."
Ocean lost last year’s star Matt Kushing and his 20 points per game, but Reisler thinks the absence of one overwhelming scorer could have a positive effect on his team.
"Hopefully, now that we don’t have one dominating offensive presence, we can have a lot more guys putting points on the board," he said. "This should help us spread it around a bit, and make us a bit tougher to guard."
Senior Craig Weinstock is a solid 6-2 guard with good offensive skills who averaged a little over nine points per game last year. He’s accompanied by senior Jim Kelly, senior Joe Thomasey, and senior Ryan Pringle.
Sophomores Bill Wishart and Bill Baggins are also expected to get a good amount of playing time.
Ocean opens up its season tonight against a Christian Brothers Academy team that is looking to reestablish itself as the Shore’s top team after bowing to Tournament of Champions runner-up Neptune last year. The Colts have reloaded this year and should be among the top teams in the state once again.
Reisler admits that a win over CBA may be a bit of a long shot for a team trying to establish its identity on the court, but is looking forward to the challenge.
"It’s a tough way to start the season, but you have to play them some time," Reisler said. "We may as well start it off against the best; that way we can judge just where we stand, and where we need to be.
"We’re confident that we can compete against anyone."
Playing in the A North division, Ocean will also have to match up with a tough Middletown North team, which established itself as one of the Shore’s elite teams last season and returns the majority of its key players.
"Those guys on Tindall Road have a great team too, but we’re still glad to be back in A North this year," Reisler said. "You have to beat the best to be the best."
Following tonight’s game against the Colts, the Spartans will have a week to prepare for their first home game of the year against Marlboro. From there, they will take on Long Branch and Freehold Township before getting their first shot at Middletown North.