BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
JEFFGRANIT staff Howell’s Paul Caporaso tries to jar the ball loose with a check of CBA’s James Cahill during a recent game in Howell. Howell’s overtime success tells Derek Reichenbecher all he needs to know about his boys lacrosse team.
“I’m proud of the fact that we are 4-0 in overtime,” said coach Derek Reichenbecher. “It tells me that our kids have tremendous heart and desire.”
The Rebel’s overtime record is the difference between Howell struggling to make the postseason for the first time in school history and playing for seeding.
At 11-3, Howell has already qualified for the NJSIAA state playoffs and the Shore Conference Tournament. They are playing for a high seed and a home game for the state tournament, whose cutoff date is Friday.
Offensive efficiency has been making the difference for Howell. The Rebels have been cashing in on their opportunities at a much higher rate of proficiency than ever before.
“As an offense, we are beginning to learn to take what the defense gives us,” said Reichenbecher. “Earlier in the year we were playing more of an individual offense. Players were forcing the ball into double- and triple-teams.
“The kids have a much better feel right now,” he added. “Our ball movement has improved.”
Two juniors, Rob King and Brendan McCarthy, have spearheaded the offense. They rank second and fourth in the Shore Conference in scoring, with McCarthy registering a team-high 34 goals and 20 assists, while King tops the Rebels in scoring with 29 goals and 35 assists, good for 64 points. They have been pleasant surprises for Reichenbecher.
“They both played a lot last year and we knew they would be strong for us, but coming into the season I don’t know if anyone expected them to be the focal points of our offense,” he said. “Rob has really started to feel when to take it [the shot] himself and when to pass it off, which is why he is so balanced with goals and assists.”
Jonathan Kelly and Anthony Bonjavanni haven’t put up the numbers that McCarthy and King have, but they have been no less important. With teams starting to focus their defenses around taking McCarthy and King away from the Rebels, it’s critical for other players to show they can score to make teams think twice.
In a recent win against Jackson, the Jaguars were so concerned with stopping Kelly that they held him to one assist. However, Bonjavanni stepped up with four goals and Howell won in overtime.
Kelly brings an outside-shooting scorer to the team. He has come up with some clutch goals for Howell, including two overtime winners.
Bonjavanni has 24 goals and 17 assists, and Kelly comes into the week with 16 goals and 12 assists.
Mike Maccia has also been solid, contributing 16 goals and one assist.
Senior Kyle Kavinski anchors a solid Howell defense.
“He has emerged as our best one-on-one defender,” said Reichenbecher. “It has really helped this season in our matchups. Watching him grow and improve as a lacrosse player, and a young man, over the last three years has been one of my favorite parts of coaching.”
Steve Hering, a junior, has been equally solid on defense and has worked well with Kavinski. The Rebel defense does a fine job preventing shots on goal. When shots have been delivered, Howell’s goalies have been saving shots at a better-than 60 percent rate.
Mike Rourke, who came up big in Howell’s overtime win against Jackson in his first start, has become the team’s starting goalie.
“In short, we took a sophomore and threw him in the fire,” said Reichenbecher.
With Turner having starter’s experience, the Rebels are deep in goal.
Reichenbecher still believes that his Rebels can play better.
“I’m proud of the progress this team and these players have made,” he said. “I’m happy with our record, but we still have not reached our potential.”