SJV boys hoops team has focus set on play-off berth
Five seniors look to lead team to post-season
By Warren Rappleyea
Staff Writer

A little experience can go a long way toward helping a talented team reach its potential.

Five players with varsity experience return as the St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, boys’ basketball team looks to improve upon last year’s 11-13 record.

Coach David Emery said quickness and speed are his team’s strengths, and that the Lancers will try to play an up-tempo game whenever possible.

"We have some talented guys coming back this year, so I expect that our scoring will be by committee with different guys picking it up on different nights," he said. "That’s the kind of balance I like, but I will be looking for someone to step up and become the guy we go to late in the game."

That someone is likely to come from the five returning seniors — forwards Josh Grgas and Mike Collins, and guards Zak Cook, Jon Bill and Danny DiMino.

Cook will be the point guard, and the 6-7 Grgas gives the Lancers a solid presence in the pivot. Bill and DiMino are solid from the outside, while Collins, a strong rebounder, can score underneath.

Other key players include 6-4 junior forward Tom Putnoky and sophomore point guard Gerard Genevieve, who gives the Lancers a three-point threat off the bench. Emery will also work juniors Chris Soria and Jim Oliver, both guards, into the lineup.

As part of his plan to increase the tempo, Emery said St. John’s will press often. Otherwise, the Lancers will employ a man-to-man defensive setup.

"We’re going to go after teams," the fifth-year coach said. "Our goal is to make other teams play our game. To do that, we’ll have to stay away from injuries and out of foul trouble."

The Lancers already have had their share of minor injuries. Cook and Bill are both nursing sprained fingers, DiMino suffered a six-stitch gash under his chin during a scrimmage, and Collins and Grgas have foot injuries.

Emery said that all five will be ready when St. John’s hosts Matawan in the season-opener for both teams Friday at 7 p.m.

From there, the Lancers will travel to Red Bank to take on Red Bank Regional Tuesday before hosting Monmouth Regional Dec. 20 in what will be their final warm-up for the annual Bayshore Holiday Christmas Tournament.

While Emery believes his team has what it takes to qualify for the Shore Conference and NJSIAA Parochial A tourneys, the coach is not looking that far ahead.

"We have to take each game as it comes and be focused as a team," he said.

The Lancers are hoping a fast start will propel them to the type of successful season they feel they are capable of. With some early wins and a solid appearance in the holiday tournament, St. John Vianney could be well on its way to a return to the state play-offs.