GLEN RIDGE, NJ – The Glen Ridge High School boys’ varsity basketball team had no seniors last season as the relatively young Ridgers gained valuable experience en route to finishing with a competitive 12-14 record.
With everyone back this season, the Ridgers have reason to feel optimistic.
The Ridgers, under 11th-year head coach Liam Carr, will tip off the season Friday, Dec. 16, when they host Weequahic at 7 p.m. in a Super Essex Conference-Freedom Division game.
GRHS key returning players:
- Tyler Liddy, junior guard.
- Charlie DeLuca, senior forward.
- Max Thompson, senior guard.
- Ryan Liddy, senior forward.
- David Weissenberger, junior guard.
- George Kinzler, junior forward.
Last season, Tyler Liddy made First Team; DeLuca made Second Team; and Ryan Liddy made Honorable Mention on the All-SEC-Freedom Division.
Other returning players who will contribute and have their roles expanded include:
- Liam Gunnarsson, sophomore guard.
- Simon Low, sophomore forward.
- Nick Weber-Zazzu, senior small forward.
Offensively, the Ridgers will rely on Tyler Liddy’s abilities. “He already has a lot of big game experience under his belt,” Carr said. “Remember, he was a freshman starter on our conference championship team two seasons ago.”
Carr expects several other players to increase their offensive statistics.
Defensively, Thompson continues to play tough on-the-ball defense for the team, Carr noted. Carr hopes to see other players step up their defense as they get ready for the season.
The Ridgers this summer formed a close bond, something that Carr hopes will serve as an edge. Other intangibles that will help the Ridgers are their hard work and toughness.
“The best teams have talent, but the special ones have talent plus X-factors, like togetherness,” Carr said.
Each day in practice, Carr preaches to his team to practice hard, practice spacing, and practice skill development. Practice sessions during the season, as well as in the offseason, will be key to winning games, Carr said.
Carr’s assistant coaches are
Joe Mazzarella, third season
Rich Kennedy, 11th season
PJ DuWors, first season
Brian Dorflaufer, first season
Schedule
Dec. 16, Weequahic, 7 p.m.
Dec. 17, Boonton, 1 p.m.
Dec. 20, at Science, 4 p.m.
Dec. 22, Arts, 4 p.m.
Dec. 27, Glen Ridge Holiday Tournament, vs. Bishop Ahr, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 28, Glen Ridge Holiday Tournament, consolation, 3:30 p.m.; final, 7 p.m.
Jan. 5, Technology, 4 p.m.
Jan. 7, at Belleville, 1 p.m.
Jan. 10, Newark Academy, 4 p.m.
Jan. 12, at Caldwell, 4 p.m.
Jan. 17, at Weequahic, 7 p.m.
Jan. 19, Science, 4 p.m.
Jan. 21, at Verona, 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 24, Montclair Kimberley Academy, 4 p.m.
Jan. 26, at Arts, 7 p.m.
Jan. 30, at Kinnelon, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 31, at Technology, 4 p.m.
Feb. 7, Belleville, 7 p.m.
Feb. 14, at Newark Academy, 4 p.m.
Feb. 16, Caldwell, 4 p.m.
Feb. 18, at Roselle Park, noon
Feb. 21, at Cedar Grove, 7 p.m.
Feb. 24, at Oratory Prep, 7 p.m.
Glen Ridge HS boys’ basketball team optimistic for successful season added by Joe Ragozzino on
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