BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer
After getting out of the gate at 0-4, the St. John Vianney High School boys basketball team has won four of its last six games and is looking to make a run at the NJSIAA Parochial A playoffs.
To get in the Lancers will need to win at least five of the eight games remaining before the Feb. 5 cutoff. Teams must be at or above .500 at the end of play that day to qualify.
“Right now we don’t have a large margin for error,” coach David Emery said. “The big thing is that our guys believe they can do what it takes to get in the state playoffs. Attitude is important, and they have a good one.”
Emery’s team has been struggling offensively, but the return of junior center Matt Mullery has added points. Mullery, who is recovering from a torn ACL, is still seeing somewhat limited action but has averaged 12 points in his six games.
Point guard Pat Dineen is leading the team with a 13-point average, and sophomore forward Eric Johannesen has been a bright spot as well, averaging nine points.
Meanwhile, the Gantner brothers, Tim and Tony, have been providing a spark. Tim Gantner is a strong defensive presence, while Tony Gantner, a freshman, has played well in backing up Dineen at the point.
“We’ve been playing well of late, but we’ll have to step our offense even more,” Emery said. “We’re 3-0 in games where we have at least three players in double figures in scoring. I’m using that to illustrate the need for balance.”
To make the Lancers’ challenge even more difficult, nine of St. John’s next 10 games are on the road, including three this week: Tuesday at Raritan, today in Manasquan and Saturday at St. Rose.
“We’ll just have to come out strong and hope for the best,” Emery said.