With their successful season opener in the books after their last-minute 45-42 win over Governor Livingston Friday night, the Cranford boys' varsity basketball team is looking forward to a good season, with a strong front line, quick guards and the deepest bench they have had in some time.
Head Coach Ryan Huber, in his fourth season at the helm, has confidence his team can make some noise in Union County this season. One player he'll be counting on is forward Will Green, who should be a major force under the boards this season.
"We're definitely pumped up," said senior forward Will Green. "We've been doing well. We still have a lot of work to do."
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The Cougars return three starters from last year's nine-win squad, including the 6'4 Green, who led the team in scoring with 10.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game last season. He'll be joined in the front of the court by sophomore Chris Gross, who came off the bench last year as a freshman, but earned a starting nod this season, giving the Cougars one of the best tandems in the county.
"Offensively, the key to our success is our big men, we think we have the best tandem around, people are going to try and shut that down, then it's going to be how well our guards play," said Huber. "Our big guys are talented, they have a lot of skill, they can both play with their back to the basket and facing up as well, up to 18 feet. So they create matchup problems for a lot of people."
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"I think we can do some damage," said Green. "I think whoever we play will have to play zone to match up with us, so yes, we do have the best big men."
According to senior guard Greg Goode, opposing teams will have matchup problems down low, which should give the backcourt good looks from the perimeter.
"They're going to open up both the inside and outside, teams are going to have to double them, so it's up to the guards to step up so they can play even better."
The tentative starting five consists of guards Sean Trotter, Kendall Grier and Greg Goode, along with Green and Gross up front. Coming off the bench will be Joey Papandrea, Nick Pace, Mark Osofsky, Spencer Friere, and Brian Fitzsimmons, giving Coach Huber plenty of solid options.
"We have a lot of guard speed, we have a lot of experience there," said Huber. "Hopefully we can put a lot of pressure on and wear them down by the end of the game."
"The chemistry is working, we're working on certain things," said Green. "We have to rebound better, we have to get the ball, move it around, get down low, we'll win games this year. Our defense will be a big part of that as well."
"We've improved from last year," said Goode. "The chemistry is good, but it's still early in the season, we're just going to keep on getting batter as the year goes on."
That said, the Cougars have set their goals for the season, looking to take it one game at a time.
"Obviously, everybody's goal is to get in to the state playoffs," said Huber. "We want to win the conference title, advance in the county tournament, but to win the county, it's almost unrealistic because the No. 1 team in the country is about one mile away from here in St. Patrick's. Let's just say we'd like to get to the county final."
"Every year, you want ot go to the states, that's our goal," said Green. "Get to the states, get deep in the playoffs, play into March, that's our huge goal right there."
Cranford, will put their 1-0 mark on the line at Rahway on Tuesday. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
