Brookdale men (20-3) are making it a season to enjoy

By tim morris
Staff Writer

FARRAH MAFFAI Brookdale’s Dennis Dellisanti, of Brick, drives past an Atlantic Cape Community College defender during the Jersey Blues’ win in Middletown on Thursday.

Winning has a way of making any season pleasurable. However, Brookdale Community College men’s basketball coach Paul Cisek insists that his team didn’t need to be 20-3 in order for him to having so much fun this year.

"This is the most enjoyable year I’ve had," said Cisek. "The wins are great, but that’s not all. It’s been a lot of fun. No. 1, I love these kids, and No. 2, I haven’t had a team that has worked this hard, and they all like each other.

"This team is all local kids," he added. "They are good players who first, realize their talent, second, want an education and third, are coachable."

Cisek credits the chemistry to a very strong sophomore class led by forward Chris Brown and guard Dennis DelliSanti.

"I’ve always believed on the junior college level that sophomores are the foundation of the team," he pointed out. "They drive the train. We have a real stable group of sophomores and a talented group of freshmen who have followed their lead."

Forward Chris Brown, point guard Dennis DelliSanti and guard Bobby Varno (Mater Dei High School, Middletown) have provided the veteran experience.

Brown, a 6-3 graduate of Howell High School, has been Brookdale’s most consistent scorer. Night-in and night-out he comes through with double-figures effort and is leading the team with a 20+ points per game average. He’s the team’s most versatile scorer with the ability to shoot from long range, score off the dribble, or take it to the basket.

"What is great about this team is that someone else steps up each night," said Cisek. "Chris Brown gets his points each night, but the other guys go with the flow of the game.

"Against Mercer, Bobby Varno came off the bench to hit two big threes and score eight straight points to open that game up. Joe Leone had 20 first-half points against Ocean, which kept us in that game."

DelliSanti, a Brick Memorial graduate, is the team’s glue.

"He’s one of the major reasons for our success," Cisek said. "He runs the offense and plays great defense. He gives you 110 percent and doesn’t ask for anything."

Freshman center Miguel Rodriguez, a 6-6 center, has been the key addition to the Blues.

"He brings us something we haven’t had before, offensive rebounding and offense down low," said Cisek.

Rodriguez is averaging a double-double, 13 points and 16 rebounds a game, as well as 3.5 blocked shots per contest.

On Saturday, Brookdale won its 14th straight game, beating Camden in Lincroft, 105-77. Rodriguez had 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Leone stepped up with 21, Brown chipped in with 19, and Varno added 17.

With the Region XIX Tournament (Feb. 24, 26, 28 and March 2) rapidly approaching, the Jersey Blues have the look of a team that could become the first from Brookdale to win the Region title. The fact that Brookdale is hosting the semi-finals (Feb. 28) and final (March 2) could prove to be a big edge for the Blues.

Brookdale is tied for first place in the Region with Gloucester with both teams sporting 7-1 records. But BCC holds the tie-breaker following a regular season win over Gloucester.

The top two teams from the regular season will get first-round byes, which is Brookdale’s goal for the rest of the regular season.

"We’re in good shape to get the bye," Cisek said.

Brookdale has had some very talented teams in the past that couldn’t get through the Region tournament. But this team seems to have a few more things going for it.

"Two years ago we had a great team that dominated," said Cisek. "We shot the ball well, but we were not good rebounding. This team can shoot the ball well, but it plays defense and rebounds as well as any team I’ve had."

The offensive rebounding, sparked by Rodriguez, can help the team overcome an off-night shooting from the outside. And more importantly, their defense can keep the Blues in games. These Blues also have their work ethic going for them.

"The whole key has been from day one, the kids have taken it one game at a time," said Cisek.

"All they want to do is win," he added. "That’s been the difference. This team comes to play every day."