The Ridge boys basketball team opens its season Friday night at Ridge High School against first opponent, Somerville High School. Tip is slated for 7 p.m.

But the team already has been preparing for the season, and returns with some strong players from last year.

Overview

After a very successful five-year run under previous coach Mark Taylor, the Ridge High School Red Devils usher in a new era with coach Brian Feath, who previously coached Middlesex High School, his alma mater, the past six seasons.

Taylor left Ridge for St. Benedict’s Prep School in Newark. He led the Red Devils to extraordinary heights under his guidance, including winning the 2010 Somerset County Tournament Title.

Ridge went 15-12 last year—an impressive mark because former star center Tom Gambino battled a nagging Achilles injury throughout the season.

Feath, 37, has an overall career record of 83-60. Middlesex went 10-11 last year; the previous two years, they went 19-7 and 17-8.

Ridge loses several seniors from last season’s team, including guard Conor Skea, forward J.B. Kole and the aforementioned Gambino.

But the team returns a few stalwarts, led by identical twins in senior guard Dylan and Jack Kerwin, senior guard Dillon Mahon, senior guard Brett Matzen, senior J.D. Moore. They also have several promising youngsters, including sophomore guard Kevin Doolan, junior forward Matt Gerrity and junior center Hugh Morris.

The captains for the team this season are Dylan and Jack Kerwin, Moore and Mahon.

Last season’s results

Ridge went 15-12 on the season. They lost to Linden 58-32 in semifinals of the North 2, Group 4 state basketball playoffs.

Keep your eye on

Dylan Kerwin, senior, guard: Dylan started 25 games last year and was the team’s second leading scorer at 9.7 points a game. Dylan, who can drain the three and take his man off the dribble, finished last season on a tear. He scored in double-figures in eight of the team’s final ten games. Dylan was picked by coaches for the All-Skyland Conference Second-Team. He’s one of the team’s captains.

Jack Kerwin, senior, guard: The team’s leading scorer from last year (11.6), Jack was named to the All-Skyland Conference Second-Team and All-Area Honorable Mention. Jack, like his brother, is athletic and a dynamic offensive player. In a memorable performance, Jack scored a career-high of 22 points against highly ranked Plainfield last year. He scored in double-figures 13 times. Jack is a team captain.

Dillon Mahon, senior, guard: Dillon was second on the team last season with 2.7 assists a game. His playing time increased as the season went on. He averaged 6.5 points a game last year and developed into a solid floor general. Dillon will be a captain this season.

Brett Matzen, senior, guard/forward:  He’s in line for more playing time this season after coming off a solid junior season as a backup. Matzen averaged 2.6 points a game and 1.3 assists. Matzen will provide stability at the guard and small forward positions.

J.D. Moore, senior, guard: The type of player every good team needs. Moore is relentless on defense and provides solid ball-handling. Also a team captain, Moore will have a big role this season.

Hugh Morris, junior, center: The 6-7 Center played in six games on the varsity last season and was a key member of Ridge’s junior varsity team that won the Somerset County Tournament. Morris looks to be in tremendous shape and may provide the team with a solid rebounding presence down low.

Matt Gerrity, junior, forward: A 6-5 forward with a long wingspan, Gerrity provides the team with length at the forward positions. He played in six games on the varsity last season.

They’ll be missed

Conor Skea, guard/forward: The rugged and aggressive guard was an instrumental player for the Ridge program. He started all 27 games last season and averaged 9.4 points a game, and team-leading 6.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

J.B. Kole, center/forward: Kole, who according to previous coach Taylor, improved as much as any player he had under his tutelage, started 25 games. The baseball pitcher turned into a very solid interior player last year, finishing with averages of 6.3 points and 5.2 boards a game.

Tom Gambino, center: Gambino fought valiantly through a lingering Achilles injury that limited his performance. The six-foot-seven Gambino averaged a little over three points and three rebounds a game.

Coach’s Take

On this transition from Middlesex to Ridge: “The kids have made it very easy and are very committed. They are a hard working bunch and fun to be around. The transition has been really smooth. We had a great summer; great numbers in the summer leagues and individual workouts and carried that over to the fall.”

On being familiar with the roster he inherits: “It certainly makes its easier and it’s one of the main reasons I was interested in coming up here and coaching. I was familiar with the assistant coaches and familiar with Ridge in general from having played against them while I was in high school. I know some of the guys on the team from the AAU circuit. So I wasn’t coming in here blindfolded and knew what I was getting into.”

Embracing challenge of continuing the Ridge hoops legacy: “It’s very exciting and we’ve been working extremely hard in the summer and fall. We’re chopping at the bit to get started; its game time now and time to get out there.”

On the seniors: “When your seniors are your best players and your hardest workers; that makes the transition to the upcoming season that much more enjoyable. The seniors are unselfish and want to finish their high school careers very strong. They won’t remember their freshman, sophomore or junior seasons; you remember your senior year. What you did as a team in your senior year will be remembered and these guys are going to go at it very hard.”

They said it

“The way I’m looking at it is this is my last time to play for Ridge, so why not give it my all. I’m trying to push everybody else because we have a chance to do something really special this year.” — Guard Jack Kerwin

“We have a lot of seniors and we’ve been playing together since the second grade. We have great chemistry on this team. Coach (Feath) is intense and he’s brings young energy to our team. He’s brings an emphasis of hard work and we’re responding well.” — Guard Dylan Kerwin

Roster