Vitello A 'Short' Guard Playing 'Big' Role for Panthers

Bridgewater-Raritan junior guard Sal Vitello has heard it before—doubters have told him he is too short to play the game of basketball.

But hearing that only makes the Panthers point guard play better.

Last week was a big week for the two-sport athlete. In a 72-68 loss to Gil St. Bernards, Vitello had a game-high 25 points in a game where the Panthers played its best basketball.

Thursday, in a 63-49 win at Franklin, Vitello added 20 points and nine assists. 

After the game, head coach Gene McAteer referred to Vitello  as “The Floor General,” in a game where the shifty guard dictated the pace.

Vitello ended his strong week with 21 points against former Bridgewater-Raritan coach Tim Ortelli and Rutgers Prep in the Somerset County quarterfinals. The Panthers, however, lost the game 68-50.

After a busy week, Vitello sat down with Bridgewater Patch as he talked about his team, his game and his future.

Bridgewater Patch: When did you start playing basketball, and how did you get involved in the sport?

Sal Vitello: I probably started playing basketball when I was in first grade when I was about seven years old. I was playing recreation basketball and in the CYO league. My father also got me into it. He played basketball his whole life, and he is definitely one of my inspirations.

BP: Do you play any other sports?

SV: Yes, I play soccer for the team.

BP: Which one of the two is your favorite?

SV: Basketball.

BP: How do you use soccer to prepare yourself for the basketball season?

SV: Soccer involves a lot of footwork. It helps me with my lateral movement and makes me quick so I can play good defense. It is also very good for your conditioning. It helps me prepare for a long basketball season. 

BP: Has anyone ever told you you are too short to play basketball?

SV: Well yeah, there have been a few people who have been out there and told me ‘Oh, you’re too short, you’re never going to play division one basketball.’ All of these people think I’m not as good as say a 6’1” point guard, but I just try to go out there and do my best and prove all of them wrong.

BP: How do you use this as motivation on the court?

SV: It’s a huge motivation to me. Every time I’m working out doing drills, I just think about these people and proving them wrong. My goal is to go play basketball at the Division I level, and that’s what I hope to do one day.

BP: Your cousin is Andy August, a 2008 graduate of Bridgewater-Raritan who is having a great deal of success at the collegiate level at Montclair State. Would you say that basketball is a family thing?

SV: Yes it is definitely a family thing. My father has played his entire life and my little brother plays too. We all just have fun playing it and we love playing basketball. Andy is one of the best players to ever come out of Bridgewater-Raritan High School. He plays a different position than me, but obviously I look at him as inspiration and want to do my best too.

BP: Last year’s team was 9-17, and this year’s team is in a better position. What were your expectations for this year’s team?

SV: Last year, we were a young team that did not have a lot of experience. This year, people are maturing and growing up. We have a lot more kids this year that work harder and just want to get better throughout the year. I knew coming into this year we were going to do better, and our goal was to be above .500 and qualify for the state tournament, which we did. All we need to do is keep winning and get our record over .500 by the time the states come around. Every day in practice, coach pushes us so we can become the best players we can be.

BP: Right now, the team is playing arguably the best basketball of the season. With the state tournament around the corner, how dangerous do you think the team can be?

SV: I think we can make a good run in the states, especially with the road we have. We go to Franklin first where we have already gone and won, so as long as we play our style of basketball, we are confident we can win. As long as we work hard in practice and keep getting better, we can definitely make a run.

BP: What do you see as your future on the basketball court? I know you’re only a junior, but have you been looking at schools, and do you plan on playing basketball after high school?

SV: Well, I definitely want to play basketball in college. My goal is to play at the Division I level, but if not, I would want to play for a good educational Division III school. A few schools have contacted me about going to school and playing for them, and I’m definitely going to play at the collegiate level.