Sayreville War Memorial High School’s boys’ basketball team heads into its season opener Dec. 18 at home against Edison High School with a deep and athletic roster, as coach John Wojcik plans to play an up-tempo style this winter.
The Bombers are coming off a 12-14 showing a year ago, and the coach was generally pleased with his team’s showing in scrimmages against Rahway High School, William L. Dickinson High School, South Brunswick High School and Hamilton High School West. Wojcik did, however, note that his team still has some work to do. “We have a few guys who played varsity, but overall we don’t have a lot of experience,” Wojcik said. “That will come with a little time. I’m going to be looking for someone to step up and take control. We have a few guys who are capable of doing that. I think we’re set to have a strong year.”
Among the key returnees for the blue and gray is forward Jahsim Floyd. The 6- foot-8 junior often plays out on the wing to take advantage of his speed and accurate jump shot. A 3-point threat, Floyd averaged seven points and eight rebounds last year. Defensively, he’s a presence in the paint, where he averaged three blocked shots and, just as important, made opponents alter their shots countless times.
Senior swingman Zach Alessi and sharpshooting guard Andrew Gay are also back. The Bombers will be without junior Jayson DeMild, who was injured during the football season, for the first two weeks of the campaign. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 7.5 points and is also a team leader, Wojcik noted.
Derek Astarita, who got in a few varsity games last winter, will be the point guard. Wojcik has been impressed with the 5-foot- 10 sophomore’s poise. The versatile Gay may also see some time at the point.
“One of the most important things for us will be valuing the ball and not making turnovers,” Wojcik said. “That’s our first priority — taking care of the ball when we have it and then getting a quality shot.
Andrew Willie, left-handed shooting Mitch Strandberg, juniors Henderson Mautes and Michael Gray and sophomore Elijah Clark will also see time in the backcourt. Mautes and Gray are good t3-point shooters as well.
In addition, Ryan O’Leary, a 6-foot-4 junior who transferred from South Amboy High School, gives Sayreville another longrange threat. Ope Olalowka, a 6-foot-4 forward, will provide help up front.
“We have a lot of guards, and we want to use that to our advantage,” Wojcik said. “We have a very quick and athletic team, so we’re going to press and play aggressive defense and get ourselves up and down the court quickly. We’ll be moving guys in and out to maintain the pace.”
After the Edison game, Sayreville will play at South Amboy Dec. 19 in the “Friends of South Amboy” game to benefit former fire chief Ken Walczak. Wojcik’s team hosts Colonia High School Dec. 22. Over the holiday break, the Bombers compete in the Buc Classic at Red Bank Regional High School. Sayreville opens against the host school Dec. 27.