Metuchen High School’s Sam Nihal grimaces as he completes his 400-meter dash at the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Indoor Track and Field Championships on Feb. 5 at the John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River. Nihal, who finished 12th at the GMC meet, qualified for the NJSIAA Group I state championship meet on Feb. 14 in Toms River when he finished sixth in the 400 at the Central Jersey Group I sectional meet, also in Toms River on Feb. 1. He also helped the Metuchen 4×400 relay qualify for the group meet by finishing third. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR BISHOP AHR
In many respects, the similarities are striking between this year’s 13-5 Bishop George Ahr High School girls basketball team and the one that played for the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Tournament championship last season.
The Trojans have two contests remaining on the regular schedule — the first on Feb. 10 at Monroe Township High School, an opponent that handed them a crunching 65-37 loss three weeks ago. On Feb. 12, Bishop Ahr hosts Woodbridge High School, and then the GMC Tournament begins two days later.
Last season, the Trojans entered the GMCs with a 12-8 record and were relegated to the 12th seed. While this year’s team owns a respectable — but not great — record, Bishop Ahr should not expect any favors from the seeding committee when it meets on Feb. 13 to decide the brackets. In fact, as many as five teams could be seeded higher than the Trojans.
What seed his team receives is of little concern to head coach Kevin Harper. After all, his team knocked off four strong opponents a year ago before a tough 50-45 loss to Piscataway Township High School in the title game.
Can Bishop Ahr repeat that impressive run?
“We need to continue to improve our consistency for 32 minutes to rise to our potential,” Harper said. “That means taking care of the ball and rebounding much better [than we have]. If we do that, [I’m confident] we can compete with any team in the GMC.”
Harper points out three of his team’s losses came in the first two weeks of the season, including two to Hillside High School during a holiday tournament. In addition to the Monroe loss, the Trojans dropped White Division games to South Plainfield High School and Sayreville War Memorial High School. Another meeting with one or more of those teams is likely if they entertain hopes of returning to the title game.
Another issue that hampered the Trojans early was the condition of Jenna Harsh, who underwent shoulder surgery last summer.
“Jenna is rounding into shape, and that should give us better scoring balance with her and junior Lauren Barlow (16.5 points per game), who also provides an inside presence to go with her strong outside game.”
Harper said senior Sarah Harman has been a surprise in her first year (as a regular) and has taken up some of the rebounding slack (7.2 per game) caused by the graduation of Brianna Foster. Sophomore Elle Cimilluca is among the state leaders in assists (5.6 per game), and senior Ragen Reddick is an effective on-the-ball defender.
The Bishop Ahr boys team hoped to finish strong with games at Spotswood High School on Feb. 9 and at home against Middlesex High School on Feb. 11. The Trojans have been led by senior Tom Weiler (17.1 ppg) and Harry Gelpe, who head coach Dennis O’Keefe said has been effective with his court leadership.
J.P. STEVENS
J.P. Stevens High School boys basketball coach Bobby Jones, in his sixth season, said this is the first year his team genuinely enjoys being around each other.
Jones admitted the Hawks’ record (9-10) probably has something to do with that since they have already surpassed last season’s (6-17) win total. However, the players developed a close bond during last year’s summer league, and the chemistry has continued into the regular season.
“We have a good blend of characters,” Jones said. “Our leaders stretch from the starters to the last player on the bench.”
Jones said his team’s leading boosters haven’t always been the ones who see quality minutes.
“[Seniors] Zach Valbrun and Marquis Crawford rarely play but have turned out to be great leaders,” Jones said. “You can’t coach that.”
Junior Alex Corrigan (14 ppg), senior Nick Dooley (10.2 ppg) and junior Mike Lionikis (8.3 ppg) are the scoring leaders, but others have contributed in different ways. Dooley and Corrigan are strengths on the boards, and senior Francis Ballou continues to be a valuable contributor. Senior Jay’von Blacknall is among the team leaders in assists.
EDISON
Crosstown rival Edison High School is 5-13 after losing to Woodbridge High School, 74-39, on Feb. 8.
Charlie Mohr, in his 12th season, believes the boys’ record is due to a lack of experience, but he sees daily improvement he hopes bodes well for the rest of the season and beyond.
Edison has been led in scoring with no fewer than five players bunched together with nearly the same average: senior Al Newcombe (8.5 ppg), junior Brandon Radd (7.6 ppg), senior Ishmael Treadwell (7.4 ppg), senior Justin Payne (6.1 ppg) and sophomore Justin Turner (6.4 ppg).
Treadwell is the leading rebounder (six per game), and Radd has contributed a team-leading 46 assists.
Junior John Zanfordino has also made contributions on offense and defense.