Perfect season for Eisenhower
boys in county basketball league
You can’t do any better than the Eisenhower Middle School’s seventh-grade boys basketball team.
The Generals completed an undefeated season and captured the Monmouth County Intermediate School Basketball League championship. Eisenhower polished off its 17-0 season with a 41-30 victory over Howell North in the playoff final. The title game was played at Howell North.
Eisenhower was 14-0 during the regular season and beat Red Bank, Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School and Howell North in the post-season playoffs.
Coach Tom Caiazza praised his team for the way it handled adversity throughout its perfect season. That was a big reason why the team was able to overcome not having the home court edge in the final. The Generals lost starting center Adam Nimick for half the season, and his back-up Vilius Komiskus and point guard Gerry Plescia for five games each, and still the team did not miss a beat. It was a tribute to the team’s depth and special chemistry. Caiazza pointed out that the team received contributions from everyone throughout the season.
"I anticipated a winning season, but what they did surprised me," he remarked "As the season went on, we played very well together."
Eisenhower’s 17-0 season and league championship was a product of defense.
"We were an outstanding defensive team," Caiazza noted. "We played a match-up zone, and the players learned their roles. They’re a smart team and were very disciplined."
That discipline showed up on the offensive end, where the Generals were very efficient in the half-court.
The Generals are Chris Bresnahan, Gerry Plescia, Adam Nimick, Bobby Tomas, Paul Crosby, Andrew Gerbehy, Justin Perez, Danny Zara, Ralph McFadden, Michael Surick, Vilius Komiskus, Josh Leahy and Alec Jadacki.
Dillon Gilbertson and Anthony Tango were the managers.
Bresnahan, the league’s high scorer for the season, and Plescia were named to the league all-star team.
— Tim Morris