By Garrett Hemmerich
WEST MILFORD – The West Milford High School boys basketball team kicks off the 2018-19 season Dec. 14 in a home game against Mahwah.
The Highlanders look to improve on last season’s 10-13 record with four starters returning, including 1st Team All Country player Josiah Basket.
As a junior, Basket averaged 21 points per game last season and, according to head coach John Finke, the 3-year starter will be the next Highlander to score 1,000 points.
In addition to Basket, 4-year starting point guard Chris Gomez is returning to lead the team, as are bigs Brandon Licursi, Zack Milko, Kevin DeRaffele, and Billy Vogt.
All four players are 6’3” or taller and all have valuable varsity experience, Finke said.
According to Finke, having four players of that size who can rebound as well as score inside will also create mismatches for opposing teams that the Highlanders can exploit.
Returning senior shooting guard Jack Vreeland will provide toughness and experience off the bench, while seniors Pat LeBart, Noah Anderson, and Jack Tolnai will add depth and athleticism, he said.
The team also added returning letter winners Dan DiMinno and Ramy Abdelkader to help with their running-and-press style.
This will be Finke’s 30th season as head coach and considering the team’s experience, size, and ability to score in a variety of ways, he said he firmly believes it could be one of his all-time best.
Finke said the team has formed a close bond that he hopes will carry them not just through the season, but all the way to a championship.