Blasi counting on junior core
By: Shawn Tyrrell
Improvement will be one of the biggest goals for the Manville High 2005-06 boys’ basketball team.
A year ago, the Mustangs were a very young team and suffered through a 3-18 campaign. But with the majority of the same players returning and with a year of varsity experience under their belts, the hopes are that Manville will be better.
Nothing is ever easy, and for fourth-year head Larry Blasi, the goal remains the same as it has pretty much each season.
"Hopefully we can have a .500 season or better and reach the state playoffs," Blasi said. "If we can hold our own against some of the bigger schools we should be alright."
The Mustangs are not one of the biggest schools in the conference. This has been a challenge the past few seasons since the team has lacked a true big man up front. This upcoming campaign is not much different.
Without a lot of size, MHS will rely on a much quicker tempo in games to utilize the squad’s speed. So far the players have had some shortcomings in making the change, but Blasi is confident the team can adjust.
"We have some really good kids playing on the team," Blasi said. "They have been putting a lot of effort into to learning the new offense and defensive sets that we have installed. The intensity and desire are there, we just have to do a better job with our shot selection."
Late in the season in 2005, Manville had issues with shot selection and making the open jumpers. In the team’s first scrimmage against Del Val, many of those same issues were evident.
"It wasn’t one of our better efforts," Blasi said. "We tried to put more pressure on them but our shooting was spotty. We were missing too many easy shots, and our selection was not ideal. We have experience, but with some of our younger players we lack experience."
Blasi will be counting on a core of solid junior players to provide leadership and make plays to lead the Mustangs to the playoffs. The 10 varsity players Blasi and his staff are counting on include juniors Mike Knitowski (G, 5-11), Kyle Sopko (G, 5-11), Rob Wood (F, 6-0), Tommy Rock (F, 6-1) and Leo Rodriguez (G, 5-8). Sophomores Anthony Palovick (F, 6-0), Brian Rock (G, 5-8), Billy Fisher (G, 5-8) and Matt Cappola (F/C, 6-0) should all see significant playing time and be asked to step up for Manville. MHS doe have one senior out in Sean Lessing, who should see time at the center position.
Once player Manville fans will not see is sophomore Adam Hardgrove, who started the last five games a year ago. The forward, a player Blasi expected to be a big contributor, is out for the year with a torn ACL.
Will things be easier for MHS? Newcomers to the schedule in North Warren and Belvidere present some interesting match-ups where Manville will look to take advantage. But only time will tell how well the season goes.
"For us, it is a matter of putting all the pieces together," Blasi said. "We have put in both some new looks on offense and defense, it will take some time for the kids to come around."
Blasi and his staff of James Avallone (assistant coach) and Marty Geiger can only get the players ready for the start of the season. It all begins this Friday night against Bernards at home at 7 p.m.
The keys for the Mustangs will be making good decisions and converting shots.

