Schools
Absegami High School Boys' Basketball Ready to Contend
Braves believe they have the right mix of returners and new players to have a successful year.
At 6-feet, 3-inches tall, senior Daryl Loveland is usually among the tallest
players on any of his basketball teams.
Loveland will be among Absegami High School’s top players in the paint this year, but he is nowhere close to being the tallest.
That distinction will go to Russian-born transfer Vladimir Shustov, a junior who is listed at 6-9.
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“It makes me feel kind of small,” Loveland said. “I’m not one of the biggest
players like I was growing up.”
Loveland’s expectations aren’t small. The Braves forward expects the team to be among the top teams in the Cape-Atlantic League.
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“I know we can contend,” he said convincingly. “Some papers had us listed as spoilers but I feel like we aren’t getting the respect we should have. But we have to go out and prove it.”
Shustov, who is coming off a knee injury, moved to Galloway last school year. According to Absegami coach Mike Bult and Loveland, the transfer is a
force in the paint, but also has the skills to shoot from the outside.
“He has a lot of potential,” Bult said. “He is adjusting.”
“He is a good asset to the team,” Loveland said. “His height helps us out, but he is not just big, he can shoot. That will helps us when we spread the floor.”
Loveland and Shustov are expected to be in the starting lineup along with senior Richie Sandoval, who runs the point, and senior Lamar Monroe.
Junior Jaleel Christmon and sophomore Abdul Anderson may also win spots on the court for the opening tip-off.
Seniors Isaac Sullivan, Zack Fetske and Jon Witmer will also log minutes on the hardwood. Sullivan played in the program as a freshman, but moved to the West Coast for the last two years before returning this September. Fetske and Witmer give the Braves plenty of height.
“I’m really proud of how hard they work and their desire,” Bult said. “We have a couple of new guys in the program and it’s a matter of time until they completely gel.”
The Braves would like to contend, but their new division will be a challenge. The teams in the American Division include Holy Spirit and Atlantic City -- two perennial powers -- Mainland, Egg Harbor Township Millville and Vineland.
“I want the kids to give it their best and work their hardest and as a result, we can see some good things happen,” Bult said.
