South Brunswick claims Red crown

By: Redd E. Patrick
   As the South Brunswick High School boys basketball team gears up for the postseason, the Vikings had to take time out of their busy schedule to do a little celebrating.
   Coming down to their final game of the Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division schedule, the Vikings had to beat J.P. Stevens of Edison on Tuesday night to capture the school’s first division crown since the 2001-02 season.
   Racing out to a 17-4 lead, the Vikings were able to hold on for a 45-37 decision in Edison. The victory raised the record to 17-3 and 12-2 in division play. South Brunswick edged out St. Joseph’s of Metuchen by one game.
   "These kids deserved it," head coach Dave Turco said. "They worked very hard over the summer months and all throughout the season. The Red Division is a battle every single night, so winning the division is a very big accomplishment. That was our first goal this year. And it was a big one."
   The Vikings are still not on top of their game offensively as shooting the ball and protecting it has not been as proficient as early on when the club roared to a 15-1 record before a hitting a two-game losing streak.
   "We went ahead 17-4 and it should have been 30-4, but we missed several chances in transition," Turco said. "Our effort has been there every night, right now we’re just having trouble shooting. We were 14-for-53 overall — 9-for-41 from 2-point range and 5-for-12 from 3-point. And, we were 12-for-19 from the foul line. We’re getting good looks, the shots just aren’t falling, but we’re confident we can get back to where we were."
   South Brunswick scored just 15 points over the second and third quarters. As a result, Stevens (6-13) crept to as close as four before the Vikings claimed an eight-point lead heading into the final eight minutes. Stevens crept to within six before the Vikings won it by eight.
   Martin Soaries, the team’s leading scorer at 13 points per game, pumped in 18, including seven in the opening quarter. While the team had trouble from the foul line, Soaries didn’t as the sophomore guard went 8-for-8.
   "Martin, who is known for his outside shooting, was able to take the ball to basket and get to the line," Turco said. "That has helped his game."
   Dan Stonkus, the Vikings’ 6-9 senior center who was coming off a career-high 23 points vs. Old Bridge, scored two points, on two foul shots. Stonkus did not attempt a field goal as the Hawks decided to foul him instead. Stonkus finished 2-for-8 from the foul line. Stonkus didn’t let that bother the rest of his game as he finished with 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots.
   Following a disappointing 46-26 loss to St. Joseph last Wednesday, the Vikings responded with a 68-65 overtime victory against Old Bridge on Friday. South Brunswick has only given up more than 55 points in a game twice this season, both to Old Bridge.
   In that game, the Vikings had to claw their way back from a 20-8 deficit.
   "They were crushing us," Turco said. "Coming off the St. Joseph game, this was not a good situation for us. But we able to tighten up our defense and get back in the game little by little."
   Trailing the entire game, the Vikings were able to earn their first tie since 0-0 when Soaries nailed two foul shots with 28 seconds remaining. After an Old Bridge turnover, the Vikings had one last chance to win it in regulation, but a floater by Soaries was off the mark.
   In the OT, the Vikings scored on all five of its possessions, including the first three on baskets by Stonkus.
   "They had a matchup problem with Danny and we were able to take advantage of it." Turco said. "And he responded. That was a big win for us because we were able to fight from behind. A loss there would have hurt us for the division and for our confidence."
   As the Vikings prepare for the Greater Middlesex Conference, which begins Monday (the Vikings may receive a first-round bye depending on their seed), they will host Bloomfield Tech in the nightcap of the opening round of the Prime Time Shootout on Thursday.
   Woodrow-Wilson of Camden will take on St. Benedict’s of Newark at 4:30 p.m. to begin the four-game card. Colonia will play Blair Academy at 6, Franklin will take on Our Savior New American (N.Y.) at 7:30, followed by South Brunswick-Bloomfield Tech at 9.
   Bloomfield Tech is currently 14-2 and ranked among the top 10 in two state publications.
   "Our program earned some respect this season, then we hit a wall and kind of fell off the charts," Turco said. "So this is a good chance for us to go out and have some fun and get us back on the right track. I’m not saying we’re going to beat them, but on any given day . . ."