Dec 6, 2007
Boys basketball preview: Bielizna stresses defense
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Last season, the Ridgefield High boys basketball team fell one victory short of qualifying for the state tournament.
For the Tigers to earn a berth this winter, head coach Ray Bielizna says something specific has to happen
“We have to play better defense,” said Bielizna. “We allowed too many points (68.7 per game) last year. I told the guys that we have to make a pact to keep games in the 50’s.”
Ridgefield lost two starters to graduation, including point guard Matt Weaton, who led the team in scoring (13.6), rebounds (6.8), assists (2.9) and steals (2.5). Also gone is promising 6’5 junior shooting guard Zach Messinger (8.7 ppg.), who transferred to Trinity Catholic in Stamford.
But the Tigers do return two talented frontcourt players in 6’4 senior Adam Carranza (10.6 ppg., 4.6 rbg.) and 6’3 Conor Loughlin (10.1 ppg., 3.7 rbg.).
“Both of those guys played well last season,” said Bielizna. “Conor is a good shooter and ballhandler, and Adam is a very good rebounder who can score inside.”
Grant McGrath, a 5’8 senior, will start at shooting guard after averaging 4.1 points per game last year.
“Grant has improved a lot,” said Bielizna. “He is a very confident player. He can heat up from three-point range and he plays tough defense.”
Another senior, 6’1 Lee Haberlein, takes over for Weaton at point guard. Haberlein averaged 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds a game last year.
“Lee handles the ball well and he’s also a rugged rebounder for a point guard,” said Bielizna.
The fifth starter is 6’2 junior small forward Patrick Blumling, the leading scorer on last season’s JV team.
“He’s a very good one-on-one defender,” said Bielizna about Blumling. “He can guard the other team’s best player. He’s a lockdown guy.”
A deep bench includes three seniors — 5’11 shooting guard Sean O’Dea (5.1 ppg.), 5’9 point guard Ryan Imparato and 6’4 center/forward Andrew Tuohy — and three juniors — 5’8 point guard Josh Lavardera, 5’10 shooting guard Tim Bruns and 6’3 forward Tommy Liederbach.
Several sophomores could also move up to varsity as the season progresses.
With Carranza and Tuohy the tallest players at 6’4, Bielizna knows his team won’t have a height advantage against most opponents.
“We’re not huge, although Adam does a good job under the boards,” he said. “We have to work on boxing out.”
The Tigers also need to find scoring options besides Carranza, Loughlin and McGrath.
“Points might be hard to come by after those three,” he said. “We have to get some other people involved offensively.”
Nevertheless, Bielizna believes Ridgefield can get the eight wins needed to qualify for the state tournament.
“If we don’t make states I’ll be disappointed,” he said. “I think we have enough talent to win eight games, even though we play in a real tough league.
“We just need to win some of the close games this season,” added Bielizna, whose team lost three contests by five or fewer points in 2006-07. “That can be the difference between making states and not.”
Notes: Ridgefield opens its season next Wednesday (Dec. 12) against Westhill at 5:30 in Stamford.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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