Molimock only starter back from last year’s C.J. Group I champion
By: Sean Moylan
Last year, after losing several senior starters to graduation, the Florence Township Memorial High boys’ varsity tennis team won its second straight Central Jersey Group I title and made it all the way to the state semi-finals, where it dropped a tough 3-2 match to Pascack Hills.
"Last year was an unbelievable season. We had a nice 17-2 record. We won the Freedom with a 10-0 record and winning Central Jersey again (was huge)," added Florence’s phenomenal head tennis coach Ovi Dragos, whose sensational squad’s only other loss of the season came against Moorestown.
Unfortunately, the Flashes’ only returning starter from last year’s championship group is Joe Molimock, who is now a senior captain. Last year, Molimock was the Flashes’ most consistent tennis player and he posted a sparkling 23-3 record as a third singles player with all three of his losses coming against Moorestown opponents.
This year, one of the first things that Dragos did, was pencil in Molimock’s name as the Flashes’ first singles player. After all, unless your last name is Federer and you have a wicked serve, you’re not going to beat him in a challenge.
"We lost six seniors from last year’s team," added Dragos.
Moreover, Florence lost six First Team Freedom Division All-Stars in Jon Hand, Eric Centofanti, Stuart Lopez, Andrew Monger, Tommy Allen and Francisco Gordillo.
Nonetheless, the Flashes do have some promising young players in Milorad Milosevic (sophomore), Hans Lopez (junior) and Russell Molimock (sophomore), who will be battling for the open singles’ spots. Though one of those players will most likely end up playing doubles.
Ben Pinter ( sophomore), Nick Bencze (sophomore), Usman Huq ( junior) and Josh Partyka ( freshman) have all looked good in the early practices and each has a shot at starting at doubles. Doug Shelen (freshman), Zack Czepiel (freshman) and Anthony Miele (sophomore) will also be fighting for varsity playing time.
With challenges, and given the Flashes lack of experience, the lineup could change more than a few times in the coming weeks.
But Dragos is working hard with his younger athletes to make sure that they are the best tennis players they can be. The practices are long with a focus on fundamentals.
"We’d like to make the playoffs," said Dragos.
With Dragos and Molimock leading the way, that’s a distinct possibility.
NBC
"We’re going to be inexperienced this year. I only have three experienced varsity players back from last year’s varsity team. I may actually have to do some coaching this year," laughed Larry Young, the head coach of the Northern Burlington County Regional High boys’ varsity tennis team.
Young is actually a very good tennis coach, who taught his own kids (who went to Rancocas Valley) and several NBC kids how to be great tennis players. In six years, Young has posted a terrific 86-37 record and last year’s squad won a dozen matches as a team. While Young expects to spend much of this season teaching, he also would like to see his Greyhounds have some success along the way as well.
"If we can play .500, I’ll be happy," added Young.
By far, senior Doug Zytko, a four-year varsity player, has the most experience on the club. Last year, Zytko played third singles. But this year he’ll move up to the top singles position and Young will count on his leadership.
Sophomore Brian Foran, who played a lot of doubles for the Greyhounds last year, is also back. "This is only Brian Foran’s second year playing tennis but he’s very athletic," noted Young, who hasn’t started the challenges as of yet. However, Foran will probably win one of the singles’ spots.
Sophomore Vishal Thacker, who played in a few varsity doubles matches last season, is also back and should grab a starting spot, either as a singles or as a doubles player. And senior Shane Leedy will be used as either a singles or a doubles player this year.
For many of the rest of Greyhounds it is their first year playing competitive tennis. Freshmen Andy Leedom, Liam Setz-Kelly and Jackson Fenner, sophomore Lucas Ausbacher, senior Vincent Carpati (who is new to the team), and sophomore Jeff Lemon will battle it out for the remaining varsity spots. Young likes the work ethic of his squad.
"We’ve been out there every day," said Young, whose team seems to get its practices in regardless of the quirky weather we’ve been having as of late.
Because some of the weaker tennis teams in the league have disbanded, Young’s mission to finish at .500 will be a tough one. However, NBC has a good head start with Zytko, Foran and Thacker to lead the way.

