Photo Courtesy of Vinny Carchietta
MONTCLAIR, NJ — Belleville resident Anthony Rea has been busy as an interim co-head coach for the Montclair Kimberley Academy boys basketball team. He has stepped in, alongside Josh Cherry, to guide the Cougars as veteran head coach Tony Jones takes a season away during COVID-19 times. Rea, who is also MKA’s head football coach, had been a basketball assistant coach for the past eight years. The Cougar hoopsters, who entered recent action with a 2-3 record, are looking to compete for a Super Essex Conference Freedom Division title.
The Cougars, coming off a 10-15 — including 6-8 in the SEC Independence Division — season in 2019-2020, have an experienced, core group leading the way this abbreviated winter season, with two seniors and three juniors who all have at least two seasons of varsity experience under their belts.
“I think right now for the players that is the goal,” Rea said of the SEC Freedom Division championship. “I know from a coaching perspective, it is important for us to focus on one game at a time, but I also know we as a program believe that we have the ability to compete with the best the Freedom has to offer. With no prep or state tournament this season, that would be the ultimate accomplishment for our program.”
Not having Jones in the Fairleigh Dickinson Gymnasium at the upper school for practice and games is an adjustment for everyone, including the coaches who value working with their veteran hoops mentor each winter.
“Obviously, given the circumstances, it’s a tough situation with Coach Jones not being able to coach in person this year,” Rea said. “He means so much to this program and has built it into one of the top small school programs in Essex County over the last 20 years.
“I am enjoying the opportunity to lead this group of young men, along with Josh Cherry and Tony helping us from behind the scenes,” he continued. “I think we have done a nice job dividing up the responsibilities and working together to do the best we can for our players. Through Tony’s leadership, we’ve developed consistency, where players come prepared, already knowing what is expected of them.”
Nevertheless, coaching the team without Jones, with whom Rea has worked for nearly a decade, is tough.
“I know that this is what he loves to do, and I know he wishes every day that he could be in the gym,” Rea said. “He’s still involved in the program in as many ways as possible, and he has been invaluable to myself and Josh as he continues to work with us throughout the week to plan for practice and games.”
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