December 31, 2010
Boys' Basketball: Lions following DePalma's lead
The Sacred Heart High School basketball team may not win a Non-Public B state title this season, but that's not to say the Lions won't be competitive.
Still winless in three games to start the season under first-year coach Kevin Nash, Sacred Heart has gone toe-to-toe and performed admirably against some tough opponents.
The Lions were stopped by Cape-Atlantic League National rival Wildwood Catholic, 65-64 on opening night and dropped a 58-55 decision to Group III Pemberton on Dec. 20. On Wednesday, Sacred Heart hung tough in the first half against a St. Augustine team widely recognized as the best team in South Jersey.
One big reason the Lions are in games is guard Mike DePalma.
The senior is averaging 13 points through three games and is the team's lone returning starter from last year. DePalma admitted he was looking forward to taking on a leadership role.
"I've been waiting since I was a freshman to be in this position with the team and I'm really excited about it," DePalma said after the loss to St. Augustine. "My main thing is just to go out and try to lead by example."
DePalma scored 12 points, all in the first half, against the Hermits as Sacred Heart trailed just 13-10 after one quarter and 33-23 at halftime. He has already started heaping higher expectations onto his shoulders.
"Obviously we had a nice start to that game, but if I'm going to be someone my teammates can count on I can't be shut out in the second half like that," DePalma said.
One coach with a decent amount of success, Hermits' 700-game winner Paul Rodio, was impressed with the Lions at St. Augustine's Christmas Classic.
Rodio commented on the job Nash is doing and how Sacred Heart competed.
"Give those kids a lot credit, they did some real nice things and took it to us in the first half," Rodio said. "They didn't back down one bit and played hard for four quarters.
"I think they're going to be all right (with coach Nash). It seems like he's doing the right things, playing the right teams, and I would expect them to keep getting better in a short amount of time."
Paying tribute
Allen Gaskins hardly needed any extra motivation to give his best effort now that he has the chance to play varsity basketball for the Millville High School.
The sophomore have been solid for the Thunderbolts so far, averaging eight points per game in the season's first two weeks.
But Gaskins' play isn't the only thing getting him noticed.
He has been sporting a pair of pink Nike basketball shoes on the hardwood, a tribute to his mother Linda Lee, who according to Gaskins, has conquered breast cancer.
"It's something I thought to do before the season, that's when I got the sneakers," Gaskins said. "It's just a small tribute to my mom. Something to let her know I'm thinking about her."
The shoes are part Nike's "Think Pink" campaign to raise breast cancer awareness. National Basketball Association stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have sported similar styles already this season.
Gaskins is hoping his new kicks help bring the Bolts some more luck. The team is currently 2-3, and still adjusts to new coach Mike Jones and four new starters.
"We're just a younger team right now," Gaskins said of Millville's performance. "We're still trying to find the things we're best at and use them to our advantage."
Bolstered backcourt
The Schalick High School boys' basketball team isn't off to the start it had hoped for, but it's not because of the play of its guards.
Seniors Kyle Philo and Donte Johnson are carrying the load for the Cougars (1-4) in the early going. Philo leads the team in scoring, averaging 21.4 points per game, while Johnson is right behind him at 20.6 points per game.
The duo gives coach Eric Cassidy some peace of mind in the backcourt.
"Those two guys, they can do it all," Cassidy said prior to his team's game with Cumberland on Tuesday. "Donte has really stepped up so far. And Kyle, he could be the best guard in our division."
Cassidy is hoping Schalick can win the Tri-County Conference Classic, but in order to do so the team will need to get hot in a hurry.
Philo knows the team can't continue at its current pace and expect to find success.
"We should be better than we are right now," the guard said. "We need to tighten up some of the little things that make teams win games. It's really as simple as that."
The Cougars have an upcoming stretch that includes a pair of winnable games against Pennsville and Glassboro, but tough tests with Pitman and Gloucester.
Area Power Rankings*
1. St. Augustine (3-0)... Hermits have yet to fully click, but it has still resulted in wins.
2. Bridgeton (1-1)... The Bulldogs were snowed out of the Boardwalk Classic but look strong.
3. Vineland (1-2)... Now without their expected go-to player, the Fighting Clan have still played tough.
4. Millville (2-3)... The Bolts have managed to stay around .500 despite an overhaul from 2009-10.
5. Delsea (2-3)... Crusaders have won two of last three games and are seeing balanced contributions.
6. Sacred Heart (0-3)... Two losses by a combined four points, with another defeat at St. Augustine.
Through Wednesday
Area Leaders*
Scoring (per game average)
Frank Nock, Bridgeton 27.5
Isaiah Morton, St. Aug. 22.7
Kyle Philo, Schalick 21.4
Donte Johnson, Schalick 20.6
C. Monaghan, St. Aug. 16.0
Dalton Sterling, Vineland 15.7
Jaymere Hadden, Millville 15.6
Art Fields, Buena 15.0
Landy Panico, Buena 14.8
Mike DePalma, S. Heart 13.0
Dontae Stubbs, Bridgeton 11.0
from compiled results reported by teams through Wednesday.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
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