Kevin Gardner regarded his team’s struggles as a learning experience in his first year as Brick Township High School boys basketball coach.
But he’s hopeful about this year’s team, which opens its season Dec. 18 at Toms River High School North.
“I tried to come in and change them to what I wanted them to do,” said Gardner, who has eight players back from last year’s 3-18 team. “That might’ve been a mistake. Now I let them play the way they are accustomed to. I changed my style to match them.”
For one thing, he said that means “a little more zone” defense and a little more running on offense.
“We’ll be more fun to watch,” Gardner said. “We may not have high octane full-court defense, but now we’ll have half-court pressure] defense and cut the game a bit.”
What helps, Gardner said, is that he had the players attuned to an off-season program and open gym during the summer as opposed to last season, when he was appointed coach in September.
Three starters return: Matt Coughlin, the tallest player at 6 feet, 4 inches; Dylan McDonnell, a 6-1 forward, and point guard John Applegate. But Gardner said the team is smaller this year.
“This year, we may start four guards and play more of an open game and get to the basket as much as we can,” he said.
If the Green Dragons have troubles trying to do that, seniors Matt Winters, a 6-1 forward, and Anthony DeSimone, a 5-10 guard, can shoot. Chris Golden at 6- 0 is the other senior, Gardner said.
Junior Julio Rivera has been making a big push to back up Applegate at point guard. Rivera may break into the lineup as a shooting guard.
“He has made great progress and come a long way,” Gardner said.
Kevin Bogert, a 6-2 junior, “has a big wing span,” Gardner said.
Nick Vitale, a 6-1 junior, can jump well. Vitale sat out the end of last season with an ankle injury after playing a lot of minutes. Sophomore James Walker has shown good ball handling, a knack for driving to the basket, and an accurate shot.
“I have eight or nine guys who can start,” Gardner said. “We have to find a good mix, a good substitution pattern and come up with a nice rotation. It’s a harder job of coaching for me.”
Charlie Bacon returns to coach the junior varsity and Walter Davis coaches the freshman team.