Boys Basketball Notebook: Ansaldi, Roxbury a work in progress
On Tuesday night, the Roxbury boys basketball team went into Chatham and gave the top team in Morris County a run for its money.
The Gaels held a 30-28 lead at the half, and at the end of the third quarter, they only trailed by three. Down four with just under three minutes to go, the Gaels had a few opportunities, but they couldn’t convert possessions into made-baskets, and the Cougars pulled away to a 56-46 victory.
Despite the loss, first-year head coach Joe Ansaldi felt positive about his team moving forward.
“It was a hard fought, well-played game,” he said. “Our guys competed the whole time, and we were right in the game. That’s all you could ask for.”
You would think a 10-point loss to undefeated Chatham would mean Roxbury has it figured out, but with only eight games under their belt, Ansaldi believes the Gaels are still a work in progress.
“I think the guys have done a great job embracing the process,” Ansaldi said. “If we had our choice, we wouldn’t be 3-5, we would be 8-0. We thought the third week of January we could assess how we are as a basketball team. We are still a week away from that, and we’re just trying to get better.”
For the senior-heavy Gaels, it has been a different player making contributions each night.
“Grant Dixon has had some good nights,” Ansaldi said. “Stephen Loreng, Jack Clevenger, Brandon Lessig and Dante Sworn have all made contributions. For me to pinpoint one guy, I don’t think I can do that. We are fortunate to throw out 10-12 guys, and they all take turns having good nights.”
Ansaldi, head coach of Morris Hills from 2006-2010, was an assistant coach under Ken Ferrare at Morris Knolls the last three seasons. However, when the Roxbury head coaching position presented itself, Ansaldi felt it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“I came running to it,” he said. “I applied for the job and luckily everything worked out for me. The guys have done a great job keeping the big picture in perspective and our goal is to just get better every day."
Lakers make splash
After a 52-32 loss to Dover on Dec. 23, Mountain Lakes quietly has won four-straight games. Senior point guard Chris Boyhan has taken matters into his own hands, averaging 19.3 points per game during the Lakers’ winning streak, including a 27-point performance in a 48-42 win over NJAC-Liberty rival Hanover Park.
"Our defense is getting better,” Mountain Lakes head coach John Bydook said. “Chris (Boyhan) has done a really good job. We are playing more man defense, and I’ve been putting him on the best player on each team we face. His defense is what’s carrying us through this winning streak.”
Weekend games and predictions
Whippany Park at Delbarton: Senior Ryan Gaynor will carry the Wildcats into Delbarton against a Green Wave team that is yet to find its stride. The outcome will depend upon one player’s shoulders: Delbarton senior Stephen Clapp. I say Clapp outduels Gaynor, and the Green Wave roll to a victory over Whippany Park.
Montville at Boonton: Something’s got to give. The Mustangs are on a two-game losing streak, and the Bombers are on a five-game losing streak. I think Montville senior Maxwell Carus and company will head into Boonton and come out with a win.
Hanover Park at Mount Olive: This is an interesting game. Mount Olive scored an impressive 84 points in a win over Morris Hills, and they took down West Morris earlier in the season, but the Marauders suffered a surprising loss to Jefferson on Monday. Hanover Park had wins over Morristown-Beard and Morris Knolls, but fell to Mountain Lakes. In an even matchup, I’ll roll with the home team.
Morristown-Beard at Chatham: A trio consisting of seniors Colin McKenna and Tristan LeMon, and sophomore Jack Rooney will be too much for the Crimson. Morristown-Beard junior Brian Monaghan is one of the best players in the county, but he alone will not be able to take down the Cougars at their place.
Staff Writer Dan Canova: 862-240-2878; dcanova@gannettnj.com
Dan’s Dozen
- Chatham (9-0)
- Randolph (8-1)
- Morris Catholic (7-2)
- Morristown (5-4)
- Mendham (6-4)
- Whippany Park (5-3)
- Hanover Park (7-3)
- Delbarton (4-5)
- Mount Olive (4-4)
- Dover (8-1)
- Mountain Lakes (6-1)
- West Morris (4-4)
Records and statistics through Wednesday