A year ago, the girls’ athletic teams at Secaucus High School enjoyed a wonderful year to remember, winning a state championship in volleyball and Bergen County Scholastic League National Division titles in both basketball and softball.
It could be said that one of the reasons for the Patriots’ success from season to season was that some of the players played on the same teams. People like Cory Roesing, Kristen Bronowich, and 2005-06 Hudson Reporter Female Athlete of the Year Nicole Degenhardt simply carried the winning ways from one sport to the next, that the winning attitude and aura became contagious.
Once the winning started and the championships started to flow, it was hard for it all to just simply stop.
Well, it looks as if the boys at Secaucus High are taking a page from the success the girls achieved a year ago.
In the fall, the Secaucus football team enjoyed perhaps their best grid season ever, winning nine games and losing just one, capturing the BCSL National title in the process, the first-ever in Patriots’ football history.
Now, six games into the basketball season, the Patriots own a 5-1 record, one of the best starts in recent memory. They captured the championship of the highly competitive Jack Reilly Holiday Tournament at Fort Lee High School last week, defeating much larger schools like Mahwah, Wayne Hills and BCSL National rival St. Mary’s of Rutherford in the title game, avenging an early season setback at the hands of the Gaels.
What makes it special is that most of the players on the basketball roster were also members of the successful football team in the fall.
If you ask Secaucus head coach Bill Millevoi, Jr., he’s counting on a positive carryover from the gridiron to the hardwood.
“We have a special group of kids who did well in football, and we’re hoping it just continues,” said Millevoi, who entered his eighth season as head coach of the Patriots. “We have five seniors who have been playing varsity with me for three years.”
When you’re coaching at a small Group I school like Secaucus, it’s natural to have athletes who compete in more than sport. The idea of specialization goes right out the window at schools like Secaucus. There’s no time to concentrate on just one sport. You’re called upon to participate in two, perhaps three sports. That’s the nature of the beast.
So that’s why this basketball team certainly has a football flavor and an attitude and air of success that began with the first kickoff in September.
“I’ve known these kids since they were in fifth grade,” Millevoi said. “I have a special bond with them. I’ve watched them grow up through the years and I knew that they were a special group when the season began.”
Especially since that these same Patriots won all of five games two years ago. That’s learning how to handle adversity, swallowing pride and trudging forward. A year ago, the Patriots were 13-11, making progress, building towards the success they hoped would take place this season.
“We knew we had a good team to start the year, but I really didn’t know how good,” said Millevoi, whose father, Bill, Sr., has been the head girls’ basketball coach at Ferris High School in Jersey City for the last two decades. “We went through some battles in the past.”
After losing the season opener to rival St. Mary’s, Millevoi had some concerns.
“We did everything right except make shots,” Millevoi said. “We changed up a few things and I had a better feeling about the team coming out for the second game.”
The Patriots won BCSL games against Harrison and Becton Regional, before capturing all three games in the holiday tourney, a place where Secaucus wasn’t exactly successful in years past.
“Two years ago, we lost both games in the tournament,” Millevoi said. “Last year, we won one game. We were just hoping to get our first win and maybe play three games.”
Sure enough, the Patriots played three games – and won all three.
And the stars of the team are almost exactly the same cast of characters that excelled on the gridiron.
Senior Kasey Kelly, who earned a bunch of accolades for his work as a defensive back in the fall, is averaging about 12 points and nine rebounds per game as a power forward. Ricky Nunez, another senior, who was the team’s top running back in the fall, is a fine off-guard, also averaging about 12 points per contest.
“Kasey does pretty much everything for us,” Millevoi said. “He’s very athletic and gets to the ball well. He also defends well. He’s just a good kid. Ricky is a pretty good basketball player and a tough kid. He’s probably our best 3-point threat and he’s also taken a leadership role.”
Fellow grid standouts like John Barnitt, Michael Nunez and Bekim Bujari are making their presence felt on the hardwood as well. All three are key bench people for the Patriots, but that’s just fine, because Millevoi plays about 11 kids every game.
“One night, it could be Ricky or Kasey and another night, it could be somebody else,” Millevoi said. “Everyone is stepping up. I emphasize that we play everyone, so it doesn’t matter if they play three minutes or 30 minutes. They all know their roles.”
Another key performer is 6-2 junior forward Zeke Wohlrab, who is averaging 10 points per game. Senior James Cocucci is the point guard. The fiery Cocucci is averaging six points and five assists per contest. The other starter is 6-4 senior forward Derek Bieber.
Other reserves include 6-5 senior forward Kyle Schlemm, 6-2 senior center/forward James Miller and 5-11 junior guard Kevin Williams.
Millevoi loves the way the Patriots all pull for each other.
“When the other six are on the bench, they have their arms locked, huddled together, hanging together,” Millevoi said. “They’re all pulling and rooting for each other. They have great spirit.”
They’ve also had great success, appearing to be a major continuation of a successful fall. It’s rubbing off in all areas. The Patriots’ junior varsity team, coached by Rich Kane, also won three games in their holiday tournament as well.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had the varsity and JV both win their Christmas tournaments before,” Millevoi said. “So we’re pretty happy with that. It’s pretty exciting around here.”
Sure seems that way. Seems as if the Secaucus boys just want to keep up with the girls. They’re well on their way.