are GSAC South
co-champions
BCC men
are GSAC South
co-champions
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
If form holds, the Region XIX men’s basketball tournament will decide the regular season stalemate between defending champion Brookdale (BCC) and Gloucester.
The two rivals shared the Garden State Athletic Conference Southern Division title this winter with identical 11-1 records as the two teams split their home-and-home regular season games with each winning at home.
If both can get through two rounds of the tournament this week, they will be playing for the Region XIX title and a trip to the Division III National Junior College Tournament Sunday at Salem Community College in Carney’s Point.
"If we play Gloucester, it will be a war," said BCC head coach Paul Cisek. "I believe we can beat them. In both games, we had the lead with three minutes to go."
Gloucester was ranked No. 2 in the country, the same position it occupies now, when BCC beat the Roadrunners in Lincroft. In the rematch on Feb. 12, the Roadrunners led by as many as 10, only to have Brookdale rally and eventually take the lead. Although the game slipped away in the final three minutes, Cisek liked what his team did on the road against a nationally ranked opponent.
"When we beat them at our place, they controlled the glass," he said. "That didn’t happen this time. Even though our shots weren’t going down, we didn’t quit — they kept hustling."
What the Blues (21-6) have proven during the course of another 20-plus wins season is that they are talented enough to defend their championship. But Cisek is hardly looking past tonight’s opening-round game. The Blues begin the defense of their Region title tonight (7 p.m.) in Lincroft against the winner of Monday’s first-round game between Camden and Atlantic. Tonight’s winner goes to Carney’s Point for Friday’s semifinals with the title game Sunday afternoon.
"We can win it all or we can get beat Wednesday [tonight] if we don’t come to play," he pointed out.
Not coming to play, however, has not been a problem for the Jersey Blues.
"This team has been different from last year’s," said Cisek. "When it comes down to winning, they’re ready to go."
Cisek credited a trip to Florida against Division II powerhouses back in December for helping the team find itself. The players bonded and began to jell, and just as importantly, Cisek and his staff got a better idea of what the team could and could not do.
"Going to Florida helped a lot," he explained. "It gave us [coaches] a different look at what we had, and we changed to a more pressure, up-tempo game," Cisek explained. "We started shooting the ball more from the outside."
There are several reasons why BCC is at least a co-favorite to win this weekend’s tournament, and one of them is 6-foot-7 forward Miguel Rodriguez. The sophomore is averaging 17 points and 16 rebounds a game. He was recently named the GSAC Southern Division Player of the Year, and was named to the All-Region and ALl-GSAC First Teams.
"I think he’s the best player in the Region," said Cisek. "He’s not your typical power forward. He’s long and lanky, and runs the floor well. He’s a class kid to have on your team."
Rodriguez’s versatility is one of his greatest assets. He’s not just a presence in the paint. The Blues bring him out and use him at the top of their 1-3-1 zone because of his quickness. He’s developed a more complete offensive game, adding a jump hook to his repertoire.
Another BCC plus has been freshman Jerome Hubbard, who was named to the All-Region and GSAC Second Team.
"Jerome can play," said Cisek. "He’s one of the best all-around guards. He’s not just a three-point shooter. He handles the ball, goes to the hole and has great shooting range. He’s become a better player."
Devin Davis, a 6-4 freshman center/forward from Red Bank Regional, has improved dramatically over the course of the season and has become one of the team’s most reliable players.
Jamall Jenkins, a 6-4 forward, and Dennys Gomez, a freshman guard, raised their games during the season, and when transfer Jamar Pressley joined the club at midseason, he stepped in at point guard and stabilized the offense. His presence allowed Hubbard, who had been playing the point, to move to his natural two-guard position.
The Blues have experience on their side as well. Sophomores Rodriguez, Kelvin DeLosAngeles (Second Team All-Region and All-GSAC) and Joe Leone have been through the wars and know what it takes to not only win the Region, but finish fourth in the country.
Hubbard played for a Neptune team that was accustomed to playing in championship games and is battled-tested himself.
Brookdale clinched its regular season championship on Feb. 17 with an 85-62 win at Camden. Rodriguez led a balanced attack with 16. Davis had 14, DeLosAngeles 12, Hubbard added 11 and Pressley 10.