Ridge Boys Basketball 2009-10 Season Preview

Ask Ridge boys basketball coach Mark Taylor what the strength of the 2009-10 team is and he will reply with one word – resiliency.

The surprise, unexplained transfer of team starter Ishaq Pitt to St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel, NJ and senior Andrew Madlinger's wrist injury leave the team down two key players before the season tips off.

The team however, has handled the losses in stride, according to Taylor. "We have kids that are just resilient. They don't seem to get bothered by anything that is thrown at them. They can just keep going and conquer," Taylor said.

Along with Madlinger – expected to be out four to five weeks – the team returns two senior starters. Senior football star Nick Cefalo will run the point and senior Christian Frisoli will spend time at guard and forward.

"[Cefalo] and Frisoli are the guys leading us, and they will lead us early on [in the season] as well," Taylor said.

Junior power forward Conor Skea and 6'7" junior center Tom Gambino will provide the low post muscle and scoring for the team to start the season, according to Taylor.

"We want to play hard every night... that is the number one team goal," Taylor said. With Madlinger gone, Taylor said, "We're going to have to carry the torch as a team and other guys are going to have to step up. ... We are going to have to work as hard as we can and when [Madlinger] gets back, hopefully we'll be the better for it."

2009-2010 Ridge Boys Basketball Team Roster
NO.             Name                                POS               Year
4                 JB Kole                              G-F                Jr
11                Andrew Madlinger          G-F                Sr
12               Ryan Gerrity                     G                    Sr
13               Kyle Stanzel                      G                    Sr
15               John Legband                   G                    Sr
20              Conor Skea                        G-F                Jr
21               Nick Cefalo                        G-F                Sr
23              Dylan Kerwin                    G                    So
31              JD Moore                           G                    So
32              Jack Kerwin                      G                    So
34              Christian Frisoli               G-F                Sr
35              Rob McCarthy                  G-F                Sr
42              TJ Brady                            F                    Jr
44              Tom Gambino                  F                    Jr
45              Dillon Mahon                   G                    So