Men's Basketball Preview; Team Drowns Ocean in Victory

Article is courtesy of Mike Ready, a journalist for the Jersey Sporting News and Middletown Patch, who covers Brookdale Community College athletics.

Lincroft, NJ- In Tuesday night's 105-60 win over Ocean County, 14 players were in the scoring column for Brookdale. With that type of versatility and depth, this team has the potential to be a very dangerous opponent for anyone it faces. It was a festive atmosphere Tuesday night at Brookdale's Collins Arena. Last year's National Championship team received their official championship rings in a pregame ceremony prior to their game against Ocean County Community College.

With five out of eight players returning to play this season, and last year's Region XIX Player of the Year Neil Thompson in attendance, the championship team was well represented.

A packed Collins Arena crowd watched a highlight film of last season's amazing run to the title and then showed its appreciation as each player was introduced to receive his ring.

There is reason for optimism again this season with two starters and five players returning from a team that won 31 games en route to the national championship.

Last year's team, as talented as it was, lacked depth with only eight players on the squad. This year's team suits up 17 players and will give head coach Paul Cisek the opportunity to rest his starters this season.

Starting three guard, David Rosado (Saddle River Day School), returns to add leadership and experience and will counted on to add scoring punch after averaging 13.2 points last season. Rosado also averaged 5.5 rebounds/game and 2.1/steals. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the Region XIX Tournament after leading the Blues to the title.

Joe Nickerson will be back at forward after being named Most Valuable Player of the National Tournament and averaged 14.8 points and 6.5 rebounds/ game last year along with 2.6 steals and 2.8 assists on the year. Nickerson is a big-time player with DI potential.

Last season's sixth man, Cory Soanes (Matawan H.S.), will start at the two guard this season for the Blues after averaging 5.7 points and 3.2 rebounds a game last season. At 5-foot-10, Soanes has the nickname 'Air Soanes' and possesses the leaping ability to bring down the house with his highlight-reel dunks. Soanes hit the three-point shot as time expired to beat Herkimer in the semifinal round to send Brookdale into the championship game.

Bryan Adams (Manalapan H.S.) gets the start at forward after coming off the bench last season and brings toughness to the game under the basket that the Blues will count on. Adams pulled down 2.7 rebounds and scored 3.6 points/game last season. Expect to see those numbers increase dramatically this season.

Ricky Stephens (Monmouth Regional), who played the first half of last season and was ineligible the second half, will start and run the show from the point guard position. He's quick and see's the floor well according to Cisek.

Cisek likes his bench and depending on the game situation, the first four off the bench will be freshmen: Jaimik Moore (Hackensack H.S.), Rahsaan Johnson (Passaic H.S.), Mason Jones (Manchester H.S.) and Tevon Bennett (Orange H.S.).

Moore is an athletic player, who is not a great leaper, but is a rebound machine that grabs double digits off the glass; he'll line up at forward. As a senior, he averaged 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He had a monster 35 point, 16-rebound game against Medford Tech.

Johnson is a 6-foot-5 leaper and a great offensive rebounder, who is also very athletic, has a quick first step and can score. He'll come off the bench as a forward at the four spot. Johnson averaged 17.8 points/game last year as a senior.

At 6-foot-2, Jones can jump, score and is another very athletic player. He will play both the two and three guard positions. Jones was an All-Class B South selection last season and was second in the Shore Conference in scoring with a 21.9 average in 23 games.

Bennett has earned the back-up point guard spot with solid preseason play and in Brookdale's three wins this season.

Freshman guard Jaleel Chain (Union H.S.) is a pure shooter and averaged 17.5 points a game as a senior at Union H.S. and 6-foot-3 freshman forward James Jenkins (Hillside H.S.) is an inside guy and both have  earned playing time as well.

Freshmen Tyler Kearny (Englewood H.S.), Aubrey Dozier (Abbeville La.), Erick Davis (Asbury Park H.S.),Tyler Gurczeski  (Raritan H.S.), Delonte Grant (Perth Amboy H.S.) and Tyrone Curry (Charlotte NC) provide the depth Brookdale basketball hasn't seen in years.

"The way teams play us will determine who plays," Cisek said. "That will change from game to game, whether we're up against zone or man-to-man or if they're pressing us or playing half court. With this extremely athletic group of players, we have the talent to match up against anyone. We play great pressure defense and rebound really well, which allows us run our trademark fast-break offense; we feel we can break down anything thrown at us."

"It took us 21 years to get a national title," Cisek added. "It's not a priority; our first priority is to three- peat in Region XIX. That would be a great accomplishment and I think it would be the first time ever that would occur in the region. The main factor for us is that everyone is coming to play us. Everyone wants to beat the national champions, so every game for us will be like a playoff game. If we can get through the region we'll be in good shape."

Brookdale is 4-0 this season and ranked No.1 in NJCAA DIII basketball.

By: Michael Ready