Schools chief a hoops star?

Superintendent tries out for SBHS team for TV spot

by Davy James, Staff Writer
   As Bruce Springsteen lamented in his hit song, “Glory Days,” high school glory days can pass us by in the blink of an eye. But for Gary McCartney, superintendent of schools in South Brunswick, the opportunity to recapture high school glory presented itself for just one more day.
   As part of South Brunswick High School’s “Making the Grade” TV program, Dr. McCartney had a one-day tryout for the SBHS boys basketball team last week, which will be aired on Comcast Cable Channel 28 sometime in January.
   The idea sprouted when the moderator for the program was looking for show concepts, and suggested filming an episode centered on Dr. McCartney trying out for the squad.
   ”It was a lot of fun reliving what it’s like to be back in high school, trying out for the basketball team,” Dr. McCartney said.
   Dr. McCartney played hoops at Bellwood High School in Bellwood, Pa., during the 1960s, and later coached for Penn Manor High School in Millersville, Pa., so he is no stranger to the hardwood court. However, age can sometimes wreak havoc on physical ability, as Dr. McCartney learned the hard way.
   ”The tryout started with stretching drills,” Dr. McCartney said. “My hands were closer to my feet than they have been in years, and that just about did me in.”
   The team’s coaches then questioned Dr. McCartney on his strengths and weaknesses.
   ”I made it clear that I’m a shooter,” Dr. McCartney said with a laugh. “I will only pass if I have to.”
   Assistant coach Robert Henning followed the questioning with various shooting, passing and dribbling drills, which Dr. McCartney found to be much more difficult than his preferred free throw drill.
   ”I’m really strong at shooting while standing still,” Dr. McCartney said. “I didn’t have a lot of success running and shooting.”
   Following the drills it was time to scrimmage, with some ground rules, of course. There would be no flagrant fouls or trash-talking, though Dr. McCartney couldn’t resist a little fun with one of the players.
   ”I told the defender who was guarding me that if he blocked my shot he wouldn’t graduate,” Dr. McCartney joked.
   Head coach Joe Hoehman wasn’t present during the gym session, so Mr. Henning ran Dr. McCartney through the drills.
   ”Coach Henning said it was apparent that Gary did have prior basketball knowledge,” Coach Hoehman said. “And the kids really enjoyed it.”
   Dr. McCartney also discovered that he doesn’t quite recover as quickly as he used to and said he really felt the pain the next morning.
   ”It took a couple of days for my knee to get back to normal,” Dr. McCartney said. “Plus coach told me I have an excellent chance of not making the team.”
   In addition to getting to revisit his glory days, Dr. McCartney also welcomed the opportunity to have a little fun with his position.
   ”People have a view of my job as being stuffy and removed,” Dr. McCartney said. “But this gave me a chance to poke fun at myself, and I’m all for that.”