With a number of players back with varsity experience, the Metuchen High School boys basketball team will look to its depth to lead it to the top spot in the Greater Middlesex Conference when the new season gets under way next week.
The Bulldogs will tip-off the year Dec. 14 with a road game against Spotswood before their home opener against division rival Bishop Ahr Dec. 17.
“Our depth should be a definite strength,” Metuchen head coach Rich Stoner said. “Offensive rebounding and hopefully our defensive play will be additional strengths. We’ll look to get up and down the floor and play a lot of different guys to keep it exciting for everyone.”
Metuchen lost three key components from last year’s 15-12 team that reached the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I semifinals. Gone are starters Jon Brown, Lamar Nichols and Corey Preston. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Division I athlete Dejuan Miller is back. The 6-foot-5 senior is headed to the University of Oklahoma next year on a football scholarship.
“We are pretty big this season, which allows us to play Dejuan on the wing a bit more,” Stoner said. “Dejuan will enter the year with 900 career points, so we’re hoping he reaches the 1,000-point milestone soon. He averaged a double-double [per game] last season, and he looks even better this year.”
Fellow senior Ahkeem Greene is a likely candidate to join Miller in the starting five. A scrappy player that does all the intangibles, Greene should bring enthusiasm and toughness to the floor.
“Ahkeem brings everyone together, and we’re referring to him as our ‘glue-guy,’ ” Stoner said. “He’s the type of player every coach should have, because he’ll do whatever it takes.”
Sophomore Evan Carberry will also be asked to score some points for the Bulldogs. A 6-foot-3 guard, Carberry is a slasher who is adept at finding his way to the rim.
“He’s basketball-savvy,” Stoner said. “He’s one of the smartest basketball players on our team.”
With depth being a real strength this season, a number of players are expected to see plenty of court time. Juniors George Doukas and Mark Switzer should give the team scoring and defense off the bench, with sophomores Mike Hallas and Nick Callas providing some inside presence.
“Nick is the strongest guy on the team, and he can be really physical off the offensive glass,” Stoner said. “Mike gives us another inside force, and he can play off Dejuan. We also have sophomores Vinny Sardone and James Warren. Like Evan Carberry, James is a very smart player, and Vinny is pretty versatile. He can knock down jumpers and bang around inside.”