Ryan Finch is not shy about his expectations for the 2018-19 Saint John Vianney High School boys’ basketball season.
The coach, who will enter his third season with the Lancers, anticipates a deep postseason run in the Shore Conference Tournament and in the NJSIAA Non-Public A tournament.
Saint John Vianney will serve as the host to Middletown High School North in its season opener on Dec. 14 at 6:45 p.m. in Holmdel.
“We want to make the Shore Conference Tournament, get a home game and make a run,” Finch said. “The state as well. Get a home game and make a run out of it.”
It’s an ambitious goal for a team coming off an 11-17 season. But that season was a big step forward for a program that finished 7-18 in 2016-17.
Finch is merely projecting another step forward, but a much bigger one.
“We have a lot of experience returning that got varsity minutes,” Finch said. “This will be the deepest team I’ve coached here as well. Our practices are competitive.”
Senior James Rapley is the only starter returning from 2017-18. Rapley is a defensive ace, a rebounder and a hustle player. He also spent the offseason working on his offensive game.
Finch will need him to score more this year, since the Lancers lost their top two scorers from last year, Zach Moran and Chris Mikos, to graduation.
“We didn’t have to rely on James to score last year,” Finch said. “But he took steps to improve his scoring in the offseason, so we’ll rely on him a lot this year as a senior.”
Senior Christian Booker will run point for Saint John Vianney. He spent his first three years playing off the ball, so he can score in addition to handling and passing.
“This will be first time he’s had the ball and point guard responsibilities. He has matured a lot and I trust him. We will rely on him to score as well,” Finch said. “We have some other guys who can handle, so we can get him off the ball. But for a majority of the time, he’ll handle the basketball.”
Another senior, Justin Steuerer, is the Lancers’ best shooter. He can stroke it from anywhere on the court.
“We’ll rely on him a lot, scoring and stretching the defense,” Finch said. “He definitely has that skill and it’s very helpful.”
Two juniors, Jahmal Garraway and Kevin Greene, have solid all around games and the energy to back them up. Both also have plenty of varsity experience.
Garraway is an especially enticing talent. He enjoyed a few 20 plus point games in 2017-18.
“He’s that guy who makes something happen when he goes in. Defensively or offensively,” Finch said. “He has a quick first step, can attack the rim and his shot has improved. He just needs to be more consistent this year.”
Finch has a strong group of upperclassmen, but he also has an exciting freshman, Nate Williams, who should become a rotation player this winter. Williams fills the box score.
“Nate is one of those guys who will have three or four things in every category,” Finch said.
It’s an athletic, guard heavy team with a lot of scoring options. Rebounding is a concern, but if the Lancers can figure that out, they have a chance to live up to their coach’s expectations.
“We will definitely play at a quicker pace and be a fun team to watch,” Finch said.
