By Ken Weingartner, Special Writer
Winning might not come easy for the South Brunswick High boys basketball team, but as the season progresses it might come more frequently.
The young Vikings – who have only one senior on the roster – were off to a 2-3 start to the campaign entering last night’s contest against Old Bridge. On Monday, South Brunswick won 59-56 in overtime at Edison.
Nick Muha had 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Vikings against Edison. Kory Sanders, who saw his minutes limited by foul trouble, added 14 points and Michael Green had 11. Green’s 3-pointer in the final minute of regulation forced the extra session.
The win snapped a three-game skid for the Vikings, who were coming off setbacks to North Brunswick (63-57) and New Brunswick (64-53) in the Brunswick Tournament over the holidays.
”(Edison) was a big game for us,” South Brunswick coach Joe Hoehman said. “We had a couple tight games over the holidays and we just didn’t know how to win. We just couldn’t execute and get things done.
”This was a growing experience. We’re a young team. We’re a work in progress. The last two losses were tough. We have to find ways to win and learn what are good possessions and what are not. I think (the Edison game) was a stepping stone in that direction.”
Green, with 15 points, and Jevon Tyree, with 12, led the way against North Brunswick. The Vikings held a two-point edge entering the final period, but the Raiders rallied behind Tait Pirkle’s 30 points (12 in the fourth quarter). Danny Strickland led the Vikings in the New Brunswick game, scoring 13 points.
Muha, Green, Tyree and Strickland are all sophomores.
”Our goal this year is to finish above .500 and I think it’s something that can be done,” Hoehman said. “Do I think it’s going to be easy? No. The main thing for our guys is to find some consistency. If we can find that and play with the energy that we did at the end (of the Edison game), then I think a lot of good things can happen.
”Maybe by the end of the year we can sneak up on somebody come tournament time. I like the way we’re progressing.”
