Monroe players have plenty on their mind
Heading into new season, boys hoops team thinking of fallen forrmer teammate
BY JIMMY ALLINDER Correspondent
Members of the Monroe boys basketball team will carry heartfelt memories of the late Ryan Walp into this season. But the hope is that the best tribute the players can exhibit will be the way they conduct themselves on the court.

That is the expectation of their head coach, Bob Turco, as his Falcons prepare for the upcoming campaign, which opens Dec. 19 with a home game against Colonia.

Walp, a former Falcon player who graduated in June, succumbed to cancer last week. He was first diagnosed with the disease three years ago, and even though Walp endured periodic bouts of chemotherapy, he continued to practice and play with the team.

"Ryan never complained about what he was going through," said Turco, who had to stop several times to compose himself as he spoke about his former player. "He was unselfish and actually built us up when we felt down. The seniors and juniors on our team were especially close to Ryan and they want to conduct themselves this season the way Ryan did when he was with us."

The memory of Ryan Walp will be evident in other ways. First, Turco was to address the Board of Education meeting last night in an effort to have the high school gym named after Walp. Secondly, on Dec. 27, 29 and 30, a holiday tournament will be held at the high school with all proceeds going to the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Make-AWish Foundation.

"The games will be played in a roundrobin format with North Brunswick, South Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Sayreville and Woodbridge joining us," Turco said. "Games will start at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on each day."

Turco, in his fourth year as head coach, is in the midst of putting together his team for their opener with Colonia in just over two weeks. The Falcons finished 16-12 last season, including third place in the Greater Middlesex Conference White Division.

"We had tryouts last Friday," he said, "and that was the day of the viewing for Ryan. It was kind of tough to play basketball after saying goodbye to him."

Monroe will return a lineup dominated by seniors but will also receive contributions from a group of juniors and sophomores. Senior Steve Blish, a 6-foot shooting guard, is described by Turco as Monroe's go-to guy. "If he stays healthy and plays like we know he can play, he has an opportunity to get a college scholarship."

Blish will be joined by fellow seniors Joe Ruopoli (5-foot-8) and D'Meetri Wilson (5-foot-9) at point guard, Brian Rudowitz (6-foot-4) at center, with Randall Abrenica (6-foot), a small forward, playing in reserve.

The junior contingent consists of Kenny Pace (6-foot-3) and Tim Brix (6- foot-2) at guard-forward, centers Travis Dufner (6-foot-3) and Matt Stolte (6-foot- 3) and Blake Bascom (5-foot-11) at guard. Danny Brix (6-foot-2) and Amid Williams (5-foot-8), point guards, are sophomores who may see action.

"We're small so we'll likely play a four out, one in continuous running offense," Turco said. "Steve is going to be the guy to carry us, so we'll depend a lot on him for points."

As for this season's White Division prospects, the major challenge will come from perennial power Colonia, but with Cardinal McCarrick moving up from the Blue to White, the South Amboy parochial school will also be included in the mix.

"Our goal is to win the Division," said Turco, "but beyond that, we want to do [Ryan's] memory proud by playing with the same unselfishness that he displayed when he was with us. If we do that, the wins and losses will take care of themselves."