By Rich Fisher, Sports Editor
If you see Joe Hoehman on the side of the road selling drinks for 25 cents a cup, fear not. He’s not a victim of the recession.
Hoehman still has a teaching job at South Brunswick High and he’s still coaching the boys basketball team.
He’s just serving up the lemonade he made with the lemons he was handed a few weeks ago.
On Jan. 21, Hoehman had to suspend four seniors indefinitely for “acts unbecoming to the team.” The suspension lasted for a week but it was five games before the players got back into games.
What could have been a bad situation turning worse, actually got better.
During their absence, some youthful infusion kicked in and South Brunswick is playing its best ball of the year. Hoehman is the first to admit the Vikings have beaten some lesser foes, but the fact SBHS is 4-4 in its last eight after starting the season at 2-9 says something about the improved performance.
”It was kind of a negative thing to have happen, but I think it brought the team together,” Hoehman said. “With the suspensions it was a smaller-knit team so the guys kind of came together. And those other guys came back, they’re trying to earn back time and I think they’re buying back into the team concept.”
While they were away, the youngsters came out to play.
Literally.
Freshman guard Jevon Tyree and freshman forward Nick Muha have made an impact, as has sophomore Kory Sanders.
Muha has started the last two games and averaged 12 points and 11.5 rebounds despite standing just 5-foot-11.
”Nick just brings a ton of toughness,” Hoehman said. “He’s similar to (teammate) Cody McHugh, he plays about four positions.
”The kid is in the right spot at the right time, he averages two charges per game, he battles for rebounds, he does the nitty-gritty stuff other guys didn’t want to do at the beginning of the year.”
Tyree is averaging around four points per game, and scored all six of his markers during a third-quarter uprising in the Vikes’ win over Perth Amboy on Monday. He was also the high scorer in a win over Dunellen.
”Tyree brings athleticism,” Hoehman said. “He’s super quick, he can get to the basket, he can shoot a little from the outside. He gives us another guard to add to the mix.”
Sanders also provides a little of everything, including scoring.
”He was averaging 10 points a game,” the coach said. “That’s slipped a little over the last couple of games, but he’s playing hard and doing the little things well.
”Adding these guys, out there hustling, taking charges, has been a plus. Everyone is supporting each other now.”
It could not have happened at a better time, since the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament seedings will be decided on Friday. At 6-13 the Vikes will have a low seed, but sometimes it’s all about momentum heading into a tournament.
Granted, South Brunswick is not scalding hot, but one has to like its chances to make some noise a little more now than a month ago. The Vikes will open with a play-in game Saturday or a first-round game Monday.
”We can definitely surprise some teams if we take care of the ball and play our game,” Hoehman said. “A couple years back, Old Bridge was that kind of team. They had three wins in the regular season, made it to the quarterfinals and upset St. Joe’s
”Anything can happen. It’s all about getting hot at the right time. Our guys are starting to come together now. A lot of games we won weren’t against strong opponents, but it shows promise to these guys that as long as we keep working, good things will happen.”
If you don’t believe Hoehman, just taste his lemonade.
BUZZER BEATERS: The Vikes had a game with South Plainfield on Wednesday and a possible game with Piscataway on Friday. It’s a makeup game, but Hoehman is still unsure if the Chiefs will want to play it, since it would occur after the GMCT seedings.

