By: David Gurney
WOODBRIDGESenior guard Brian Morgan saw his playing time dip early in the season and was, let’s say, a little disgruntled.
Relegated to seventh, eighth-man status, his minutes were low, his role in the offense was limited, and he was counted on for some quick spurts of fierce defense.
But what he was then is not what he is today.
Today, he is a part-time starter, sixth/seventh-man of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV champion Vikings.
Not only that, Morgan has been the third-leading scorer over the past two games for SBHS, averaging 14 points a contest in wins over Rancocas Valley and Freehold Township in the sectional semifinals and finals, respectively.
He scored 15 points, and added three rebounds and a steal during SB’s 88-72 victory Monday night over Freehold.
"I’ve had to be mentally ready all season and the past two games I’ve really gotten focused," Morgan said after Monday’s win. "Coming in as a reserve all season, or starting as I did against Rancocas, it’s about being able to step out there, hustle and play hard. The past two games the points have come too."
Morgan, replacing senior forward Ray Dasant in the starting lineup, torched RV last week to the tune of 13 points on 5-for-10 from the field, including 3-of-6 from behind the arc.
But it was only a sneak peak to the role he’d play against Freehold.
Coming off the bench in his usual role, Morgan hit 6-of-8 shots from the field and went 1-of-2 from three point range to register 15 points, good for third on the team that game.
The points were big, but it was also the fashion in which he did it, with flashy drives into the heart of the defense and acrobatic finishes around the hoop against much taller interior players.
During a stretch of 2:34 in the third quarter, Morgan connected on four of five SB possessions, each a layup, including two going baseline and one off a steal. Those baskets helped SB expand the lead to a game-high 12 at the time at 60-48.
"Brian was just playing with as much focus as any kid we have," South Brunswick head coach Chris Balent said. "He really played great today coming off the bench. I don’t know what else to say. His play speaks for itself."
Morgan’s season-high coming into the game was 15, which made it all the more incredible that he almost duplicated the feat twice in the season’s two most important games.
He credited the performance to confidence and the atmosphere of the game, which really seemed to drive him.
"This was the craziest game I’ve ever played in," Morgan said. "We expected it to be loud and we handled it well. The atmosphere was great and we just fed off of it."
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With the Vikings playing in Atlantic City for the NJSIAA Group IV State Semifinals, it’s time to go back into the time capsule to the year 1968, nearly 40 years ago and the only year the Vikings have won a state title in boys basketball.
Thanks to crack research by SBHS alumni and current South Brunswick teacher Jim Zinsmeister, we present this trip down memory lane after the Vikings moved within two wins of Group IV’s Holy Grail.
Led by seniors Bud Rose (22 points) and John Bailey (11 points), and coach Al Balcomb, the Vikings claimed the Group I title over East Rutherford, 50-49, in Atlantic City at Convention Hall on March 30, 1968 before 12,532.
That was the same East Rutherford team that was led by standout forward Les Cason (then a freshman, finished with 13 points) and its head coach, none other than Basketball Hall of Fame finalist and ESPN color commentator Dick Vitale.
In fact, in a game of little scoring, Vitale’s technical foul in the second quarter for arguing with the referees on the sidelines proved costly.
Bailey’s layup with 10 seconds left proved to be the game-winning hoop for SBHS.
Of course, the school is a tad bit bigger nowadays, but the 18-7 Vikings steamrolled through Group I competition, beating the likes of Hoffman, Point Pleasant, and Florence to get to the finals.
After the win, the South Brunswick school system declared Apr. 1 a holiday, closing down all elementary schools and the high school to celebrate. Even St. Augustine’s on Henderson Road was closed to honor the victory.
Said Balcomb in the Sunday Home News after the game, "It is the greatest team I’ve ever had…and I’m not taking anything away from the fine Viking team of a few years ago. This club had it when they had to have it and they had it in the clutch."
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Anyone planning to go to Atlantic City High School tonight can get their by taking Route 130 South to Route 206 South to the Atlantic City Expressway. Take the ACE to Exit 2. Follow the ramp to Route 40/322. Proceed east to sign for school, located on the right side of the highway. The Expressway can also be reached by taking Route 130 South or Turnpike South to Route 195 West; to Route 295 South. Take 295 34 miles to Route 42 South, and 42 South turns into AC Expressway. It is more miles, but less lights.

