Let’s Talk Hoops.

First of all, a happy and healthy New Year to everybody. There was a lot of basketball played in the last week and here are some of my thoughts as we head into 2012. I just read Scott Stump’s new Top Ten and I have to tell you I think he’s right on the money. My main criteria in judging these basketball teams is who can put the most quality players on the floor at one time. So a team that I think has 5 quality kids automatically moves up near the top. Then, as the season progresses, I watch to see who underachieves with the most talent and who overachieves with the least. For now, this early in the season, I think Stumpy has nailed it. Here’s why.

Lakewood- I love this team. They are not the most talented. That accolade goes to Neptune or Colts Neck. But they are the toughest team I’ve seen and they play together. They can also put 5 quality players on the floor and they have a physically tough backcourt. Their downside is they don’t have a big time scoring threat at crunch time but they are mentally tough enough to pull out close games anyway. Randy Holmes has done a nice job with this team and you just get the feeling these kids would run through a wall for him.

Colts Neck- Think about this. The Cougars have a 6’5 scoring threat in Hunter Wysocki, a 6’10″ center with incredible length in Steven Faust, a 6’3″ shooting guard in Brandon Federici who is one of the top 5 pure shooters at the Shore, ANOTHER pure scorer in 4 year letterman Sean O’ Reilly and a versatile swingman in 6’3″ junior Tim Vangeles, a 3 sport star who adds scoring and athleticism to an already potent lineup. The Cougars have been loaded for three years now. Time to step it up and send a message on Tuesday against Neptune.

Manalapan- Manalapan Number 3 at the Shore? Are you kidding? Nope. It’s early but quality wins count. I’m not sure the Braves have enough size or talent to carry them much farther but Anthony Firkser is top notch and that victory against Middletown North is no surprise. It’s all about match-ups and the Braves can match the Lions in speed and intensity. Manalapan Coach Rick Garretson also doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He’s a solid bench coach and his kids always play hard.

Middletown North -This is a team that can play and a team with supporters who aren’t afraid to tell you that. My take on the Lions? I think they are very talented. I think they have a lot of parts that mesh very, very well together. I think Huelbig is their irreplaceable part, a tremendously gifted athlete who plays with incredible lift and can be remarkably good when his outside shot is clicking. I think Youncofski and Frawley are good players who have made themselves better. I was very impressed with Cody Thompson, a junior guard who does a lot of things right on the floor. Where Middletown will fall short is that they are just that. Short. There is no inside presence, nobody to deter dribble penetration. I think their supporters are right. They are good and they work hard. But that may not be enough in the long haul.

Asbury Park- Somehow I haven’t seen the Blue Bishops yet. But I am very familiar with the Conover twins and any team with those two kids should scare any opponent. I will absolutely see Asbury this week and give you a more updated report. So far they’ve won the games they’re supposed to win and that’s all you can ask. I’m looking forward to seeing them play. My apologies to Bluestone for taking this long.

Jackson Memorial- Hey, I’ll give myself a minor pat on the back here. I said in my last blog that Brandon Holup would be Jackson’s secret weapon because of his ability to knock down the three and he went out and nailed five treys in the  WOBM championship against a good TRN team. Jackson has the two other killer “B”s in Brandon McDonnell and Brian Kenny and an athletic supporting cast but I’m not sure they have enough full-time basketball talent to compete with the top-tier teams.

Neptune- Boy, oh boy, Neptune at 7. Two jet quick guards, a D-1 small forward, a 6’8″ power forward, another 6’5″ forward who can sky and an army of reserve guards who should flat out wear down opposing teams. So what’s wrong with the Fliers? Well, I can understand them losing to Seton Hall. What I can’t understand were the ridiculous amount of unforced turnovers. Somebody needs to get across to the Neptune players that every possession is valuable. I don’t care who they played the other day, I saw very little positives in that game . And one last point. Keith Kirkwood is one of the top 3 talents in the Shore in my opinion. I’d like to see him get the ball in better spots. Tuesday night is a statement game for both CN and Neptune. Let’s see who responds.

Freehold Township- Ok, raise your hand if you thought Freehold Township would be a Top Ten team this year. I think in my first post as the Shore Scout 3 years ago I said that Brian Golub was one of the best coaches at the Shore because his kids play so hard. Obviously, I still think that. Frankly, this is a team that will get blown out on some nights because they probably don’t have kids who will play college basketball. But every time I watch Freehold Township play I find myself shaking my head in admiration. Every team at the Shore should go to one Freehold Township game and ask themselves ” do I play this hard”?

CBA- CBA at 9. Sadly,yes. But not for long in my estimation. This is a team that will get better as the year goes on. They don’t have a big time player for the first time in forever but they can put 5-7 quality kids on the floor. That gives them an advantage over most of their Shore competition. I think they give Mid North all they can handle in Class A North and don’t be surprised one bit if CBA doesn’t knock off the Lions at least once.

Toms River North- Those of you who have read my blog for the last three years know I haven’t exactly been the biggest supporter of Class A South. Now they have two teams in the Top Ten. They belong here too. The Mariners are big with 6’5 Karl Blum, 6’6″ Solly Stansbury, 6’5″ Sean Martin and 6’8″ Billy Wrightson. Alex Levchenko and Damion Singleton are solid at the guard spot. This is another team that I think will get better as the year goes on.

That’s enough for now. It’s been a pretty exciting opening couple of weeks and it will only get better. Once again, all the best to everyone in the upcoming year. Remember, it’s a kid’s game. I’m the Shore Scout and I’ll see you at the gym.

 

 

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