By Jimmy Allinder
Before the season began last April, Spotswood High School junior J.T. Vento was considered just another average player.
But then head coach Glenn Fredricks offered a different assessment about the outfielder when he previewed his team.
“Watch [J.T.],” Fredricks said. “He’s developed into a well-rounded player, and we expect him to be special.”
As it turns out, Vento, whose only varsity experience was a few at-bats as a sophomore, was more than special and earned numerous postseason honors. One was the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) first team, a major achievement considering the county’s abundance of quality outfielders. He was also named to the GMC Blue Division first team and tabbed as one of the Top 100 Garden State Underclassmen. The exclamation point was being named to the state Group II first team by NJ.com, a statewide media outlet.
Vento’s offensive numbers were a major reason he was named to multiple all-star teams, but he was also recognized for being a quality outfielder.
Vento combined a strong arm with above-average range, which made baserunners think twice about advancing a base on him. At the plate, he hit .412 with a team-leading 35 hits, 12 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 22 RBIs and 24 runs scored. Those stats added up to .469 and .812 on-base and slugging percentages, respectively.
“J.T. is a tremendous athlete, and it’s been fun watching him become one of the premier players in the GMC and the entire state,” Fredricks said. “It’s not often I get to see his kind of natural ability. He’s been extremely coachable, and that has helped [him] become an outstanding player.”
Vento was asked what was most responsible for the dramatic improvement between his sophomore and junior seasons. He shrugged his shoulders and admitted the reason was hard work.
“I really focused on working out and becoming stronger and faster during the offseason,” he said. “I tried to remain faithful to a regular routine, and [it] helped me become a better player.”
The truth is Vento has always been driven by an intense desire to succeed, because that’s what his father, John, instilled in his son. Vento’s mother, Lori, made sure he applied the same effort to schoolwork, and the result has been outstanding grades throughout high school. Vento maintains a 3.6 grade-point average, he is a member of the school’s National Honor Society chapter and he has earned GMC academic awards every year in high school.
As his grades demonstrate, Vento knows how to enjoy varsity sports and still get schoolwork done.
“I always leave time after practice for studying,” he said. “I complete my homework first and if I have free time, that’s when I go out with friends.”
Vento has an older brother, Nick, and a younger brother, Matt, who plays for Spotswood. Both have followed him closely throughout his sports career.
Vento also plays for Spotswood’s basketball team, and Chargers coach Steve Mate appreciates the experience he brings to the rotation as a small forward. He averaged 7.8 points per game last season and was a defensive stalwart for a team that finished 22-6 and captured the GMC Blue Division title.
Vento is expected to experience many memorable moments playing sports but for now, his favorite recollection was a summer vacation a few years ago. It was then, he, his family and cousins spent a week together playing cards, baseball, board games and enjoying water sports while lodging at a rented house on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
“There were like 22 of my closest relatives at that place, and we all talk about how great an experience that was,” Vento said.
His senior year begins after the summer recess, and he will be wrapped up in schoolwork and sports (he has not decided a major or where he will go to college). Basketball comes first in the winter and following that season, Vento will focus on his final year on the diamond in a Spotswood uniform.
“We lost some great players [due to graduation], but we still have a lot of quality guys I have played with since I started [here],” he said. “Our team has bonded well together, and I’m looking forward to a great year.”
And an even brighter future after high school, wherever that is.