After tough season, sophomores look ahead

For the seniors, their last game ended with a heart-breaking loss to Ramapo College. But for the younger players, it was the start of what could be a special team.

If Rowan’s men’s basketball team is going to be a serious contender in the New Jersey Athletic Conference in the next few seasons, they are going to need their younger players to step up.

Gary Foster and Steve Secula, both currently sophomores, will need to evolve their play and leadership roles as a young and talented Profs team looks to work off its 62-60 playoff loss to Ramapo on Feb. 20.

“We need to be smarter with the basketball,” Secula said. “We just need to get on the same page. In the offseason, we can take the next step.

“The cohesiveness needs to improve. We will have more time in the off season to do that. We have to knock the rust off before the season and not during.”

The Profs are only losing three seniors in the offseason: Allen Pritchett, Derek Piccini and Tyson Hartnett, who led the team in scoring and rebounding. Both Hartnett and Pritchett were named Honorable Mentions for the All-NJAC Team.

“There are so many returning players with experience like [freshman Kendall White], Gary and Steve,” Hartnett said. “Everybody has clicked together and that will be the most important thing for this team next year.”

Secula was a starter since the beginning of the season, gaining valuable playing time. He averaged 9.4 points per game and was second with 5.3 rebounds per game.

“Starting the game helps get me into a better flow as opposed to coming off the bench,” Secula said. “I like being in the game and seeing how the game is played, whether it’s a physical game or not and getting used to the referees.”

Foster didn’t see his minutes increase until Hartnett sustained a hand injury that kept him out for a few games. Even with Hartnett’s return, Foster impressed head coach Joe Cassidy and saw his playing time increase drastically.

“I saw [the playing time] as a confidence booster and that made me more comfortable on the court,” Foster said.

Foster averaged 6.1 points per game for the season, but averaged 11.2 in the final eight games. He also had 4.5 rebounds per game this season, and led the team with 35 steals. His best all-around effort came in their home game against The College of New Jersey, when he scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Despite the success towards the end of the season, Foster feels there is a lot of room for improvement in one aspect of his game.

“I need to develop more of an outside jump shot,” Foster said.

For Secula, it’s his leadership that needs the improving.

“I want to be a better leader and do so by leading by example on the court,” Secula said. “I want to show more hustle, play better defense and not turnover the ball.”

On a whole, Foster feels that the team has much more they need to work on.

“We have to maintain our energy and not take any plays off,” Foster said. “We have to make sure we keep our chemistry. If we all come out and play like we should, we will be alright.”

How the Profs prepare to rebound from a tough season is going to be huge for them. To add to that, Secula has set the bar pretty high for the rest of his team.

“I expect another first round home game but I want a first round bye,” Secula said. “Winning the NJAC is my ultimate goal and we have the team to do that.”