By Wayne Witkowski
Guard Jon Pitlak has returned to Jackson Memorial High School’s boys’ basketball team from a painful shoulder injury that sidelined him for nine games, and it has raised the Jaguars’ confidence for the upcoming Shore Conference and NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group IV tournaments.
At 8-8 on the cutoff this past weekend, Jackson Memorial has lost its last three games, but the losses come by a combined nine points. The Jaguars come into the week off a 62-58 loss to a 14-3 Central Regional High School team Feb. 3.
They lost, 64-61, to Shore Conference A South Division leader Toms River High School North, which went on a 23-18 rally in the fourth quarter Jan. 31. Calvin Blue scored 18 points, and Pitlak and Ryan Lucas added 14 and 12 points, respectively. Toms River North comes into the week 19-1.
Howell High School (5-13) pulled out a 49-47 victory over the Jaguars the previous day. Lucas led the way for Jackson Memorial with 18 points, and Blue and Pitlak finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
“Since he’s returned, he’s jumped back into the flow of things,” coach Kevin McQuade said of Pitlak, who has averaged 10.8 points in the 10 games in which he has played. “He was in the training room getting treatment and cardio workouts, but we’ve wanted to make sure he doesn’t overdo it. His overall health is the No. 1 priority.”
The Jaguars played Toms River High School East Feb. 6 and has games scheduled this week at home against Brick Memorial High School (6-12) Feb. 9 and at Brick Township High School (13-5) the following day, both starting at 5:30 p.m. Jackson Memorial lost to Brick Memorial, 36-33, and Brick Township, 58-49, earlier this season.
This team has better depth from filling in for Pitlak and other players sidelined for short stints with lesser injuries. Juniors A.J. Tomachewich and Alex Cabrera had stepped in for Pitlak, which also gave other backup players more playing time.
“We had guys step up and play valuable minutes in their absence,” McQuade said. “Right now, we feel really good with the way we’ve been playing, losing to a team like Toms River North with one loss and playing Central Regional [close in a three-point loss]. We lost, 61-31, to Toms River North the first time and had the lead this time going into the fourth quarter. We’re capable of playing with anybody. We’ve showed we’re capable of hanging with the best of them. This has been a shot of confidence.”
Jackson Memorial clinched a qualifying .500 record (or better) for the state tournament when it won back-to-back games against Southern Regional High School, 44-31, on Jan. 20, as Blue scored 15 points and Lucas put in 14, and Toms River High School South, 53-46, Jan. 24, as forward Andrew Trent fired in 17 points and Lucas scored 16. Three victories came over Toms River South, including in the WOBM tournament over the holiday break.
The players look forward to the tournament challenges.
“This is really exciting. Our group has been together for seven years and finally we’re seniors (including all five starters) and are putting the team on our backs for the Shore Conference and states,” said Blue, the point guard who has averaged 7.3 points over the first 14 games. “We just need to come out with energy every game. Nothing can set us back.”
“He’s our leader. He doesn’t say much but in games, he gives 100 percent and tries to outwork everybody,” McQuade said.
Lucas, who averages 10.6 points as a guard, also is looking forward to Jackson Memorial’s second straight trip to both tournaments.
“This feels good. We’re returning a lot of guys with experience and more depth now. We can compete with anybody,” Lucas said.
Lucas has averaged 14.3 points over the last eight games, scoring in double figures in every outing.
“He had been our No. 3 option and now he’s our No. 1 or No. 2,” McQuade said. “He’s gotten into shape and been in the weight room working above and beyond [expectations].”
Trent, who scores at an average of just under 10 points, and center Nick Barba have bolstered the defensive end, which also is part of the Jaguars’ improvement.
“I believe we’re ready to go with the way we’ve all played together,” Barba said. “I think this is a great time [to be in the tournaments]. We have to stay together, leave our hearts on the court and play with as much energy as we can. Everyone needs to box out and put in an effort. We have to keep everyone engaged and positive.”
McQuade said Nick Kinsler, a sophomore, also has done yeoman’s work.
“I’m thrilled with what he’s given us,” the coach said.
Junior forward Sean Klag and sophomore guard Jason Lee round out the team.
“We have to play solid defense — not allowing teams second and third opportunities,” McQuade said. “Offensively, it’s not settling for the first shot but for people getting open to get the ball for the best possible shot. We have to make our free throws and get balanced scoring and not turn the ball over.”
