By Warren Rappleyea
With several key players back from a squad that went 18-10 last winter, expectations are high this year for Sayreville War Memorial High School’s boys’ basketball team.
The Bombers, who are slated to open the season at Greater Middlesex Conference White Division rival North Brunswick Township High School Dec. 16, are deep and talented.
“It’s really hard for me to say right now who our starters are,” coach John Wojcik said. “We’re going to rotate and sub a lot. I can see us playing 10 guys regularly. We have the depth and athleticism across the board to consistently go up and down the court. That will give us an advantage.”
With a few football players just easing into practice following Sayreville’s NJSIAA North Jersey, Section II, Group IV championship, Wojcik said his players will need some time to develop a team chemistry. That should not take too long given that the Blue and Gray’s roster is made up entirely of seniors and juniors.
A year ago, shooting guard Ryan O’Leary and 6-foot-7 Jahsim Floyd paced the Sayreville attack, and they will again be key components. The 6-foot-4 O’Leary averaged 20 points and led the team in steals with 27. Floyd, meanwhile, averaged 12.5 points and was a force under the hoop, pulling down nearly nine rebounds per game. He also led the Bombers with 49 blocked shots.
Hard-working Henderson Mautes is back after averaging 5.5 points and making his presence felt all over the court. A solid defender, Mautes will serve as Sayreville’s captain. Junior point guard Derek Astarita brings energy and speed as he enter his second year up top.
The Bombers will also have a healthy Jayson DeMild back full time. DeMild, who quarterbacked the football team, was limited to 14 games and relatively light duty last winter after suffering an injury during the grid season. Ope Olaloko, at 6 feet 4 inches tall, will add rebounding as a small forward.
Senior guard Michael Gray emerged as a 3-point threat down the stretch last year, and junior guard Elijah Clarke averaged 6.3 points a year ago. Junior Zac Kaczmarek is yet another speedy guard. In addition, Sayreville will benefit from the presence of Xavier Townes, who transferred from Saint Joseph High School of Metuchen.
“We’re excited about this team” Wojcik said. “They have a lot of experience and potential. They learned a lot last year. Right now, we’re a little behind working the football guys in, so we’re not quite at full strength yet. I don’t think it will take them too long to get comfortable though.”
Last year, Sayreville got past the opening round in both the GMC and NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group IV tournaments before losing to Woodbridge High School and Hunterdon Central Regional High School, respectively.
Following its opener at North Brunswick, Sayreville will visit South Plainfield High School Dec. 19 in a non-divisional encounter before hosting division rival John F. Kennedy Memorial High School Dec. 20.