South River still shooting for a state playoff berth
BY RICHARD JEROME
Staff Writer

It's been a mixed bag for the South River High School boys basketball team thus far this year as the Rams have managed a 2-4 record.

That's not so bad, considering that coach Mike Delaversano's squad went 4-19 in a rebuilding campaign last winter. Still, Delaversano, who has his ambitious sights set on a state tournament bid, is far from satisfied.

"I'd like to see us be more consistent and play four good quarters," he said. "We've had games where we played three good ones and one bad, or two good and two bad, and so on. But we're really shooting for a full four."

In its quest to notch a third victory, South River faces a challenge, meeting up with Cardinal McCarrick, which is 5-1 through the early going. The Rams haven't played in a week, their last effort coming in the South Amboy Tournament, in which they edged Keansburg, 50-49, only to fall to Henry Hudson, 67-42, in the championship game.

Delaversano has made some changes in the team's style of play this season.

"I think our strengths are pushing the ball, playing a lot of up-tempo, with fast breaks and a high-pressure defense," he said. "It's different than the way we've done things in the past."

The Rams have a mix of youth and experience for their 2006-07 edition, with a complement of seven seniors who have varsity play under their belts, along with another five juniors and a sophomores. As for the starters, 5-9 senior Tony Gomes has exemplified the team's up-tempo style as much as anyone, pushing the ball and playing solid pressure defense. Gomes has also added some offense, having scored about eight points a game through the first six meetings.

"He's played very well for us so far this year," said his coach.

Another senior guard, 5-7 Mariano Rodriguez, was the only Ram to be named to the all-tournament team at South Amboy, while fellow senior Kwasi Bell, who stands 6-2, has made a capable adjustment, moving from guard to forward and averaging about nine points per game. He scored 13 points in the Keansburg game to lead the team.

"He has done everything we've asked him to do, playing forward and giving us a little more rebounding," says Delaversano.

Junior guard Jimmy Witkowski (6-2) may well be South River's most skilled player, according to his coach. Witkowski missed most of last year due to injury, but is picking up his game; he's being counted on to provide some more scoring punch this time around.

Another junior starter, Eric Seawright, who stands 5-9, is considered the Rams' best defender, always put on the other team's top scorer. Seawright, who didn't play last year, leads the team in steals with four nabs per game.

First off the bench, Delaversano has Eddie Dumas, a 5-9 junior guard, who has done a fine job, scoring around five tallies a game.

"He's in his first year with a lot of varsity play, and he's a streak shooter," said the coach.

Also a valued sub is 5-10 senior guard Mark Dobbins, who was high man in the loss to Henry Hudson, with a dozen points.

Looking over the rest of the team, the Rams have 6-3 senior Magdy Assawi, senior guard Brian Marcinczyk (5-6) and sophomore Michael Wilson, who stands 5-8.

As for assistants, the top man is Jerome Ogle, backed by volunteers Rob Hawk, who also coaches the St. Mary's CYO team, a feeder for the varsity; and Tom Cassidy.

"I still want to make the states," said Delaversano, whose Rams face Jonathan Dayton of Springfield on Saturday. "And if we start playing those four good quarters, we'll have a chance."