BERKELEY TOWNSHIP – The Central Regional Golden Eagles have been one of the more consistent teams on the Shore Conference boys tennis scene over the past several years. With the recent history of success on the courts in Berkeley Township, there was much head scratching among those associated with the program in 2018.Central Regional is coming off a 4-14 showing just a year ago, and came into this season without the services of last year’s number one, JT Murray. Central Regional head coach Troy Van Hise says the reason behind the rare losing season was the lack of depth the Golden Eagles employed the seasons prior.
“The big difference this year is the varsity depth is there,” Van Hise said while commending the current Eagles squad. “My seniors bring some varsity experience that we were lacking last year with the exception of JT Murray.”
Replacing Murray – the third-place finalist at the Ocean County Tournament at first singles – was certainly a big question mark entering the 2019 campaign, but the majority of last year’s supporting cast have returned – mostly in new roles.
Jake Wilfrid, a second-year starting senior, has slotted up from second singles to fill the void left by Murray. Wilfrid is coming off a solid debut in 2018, which saw him place third in the Ocean County Tournament at second singles.
“We had confidence that Jake would step up for us, and it was a help with adding more depth in other returners like AJ Abode, Luke Tallman and Shane Scarella.” Van Hise said.
Abode and Tallman have been instrumental pieces to the successful turnaround by the Golden Eagles as well. Both have made the transition from playing on each of the double pairs last season to fill voids in the lineup. The trio of Wilfred, Abode and Tallman has been the ignition needed.
“All three of our singles players have stepped up numerous levels this season, and have improved on their performances,” Van Hise said. “Wilfrid was solid last season and finished about .500, but this year he is up over 10 wins at first singles. Abode and Tallman went to playing at second and third singles, and they are winning some big matches as well.”
Following the trio at the top of the lineup, Central employs two doubles pairs at different points in their scholastic careers. The first pair of sophomores Gavin McPartland and Jason Trapp are making their varsity debuts this season. The second pairing of seniors Pheonix LaRocca and Shane Scarella provides the Eagles with more experience from players entrenched in the program since freshman year. Scarella also received some playing time at second doubles as a junior with Tallman.
“Our first doubles pair of Trapp and McPartland have shown great improvement every step of the way. They are simply just natural athletes,” Van Hise said. “As for second doubles, LaRocca and Scarella have been with the program for all four years and have consistently been improving their games over that time.”
Kwando Bekoe has also provided the Eagles with another option to slot in where needed, and has gotten most of his playing time this year at second doubles. Bekoe also filled third singles during the 2018 season.
Van Hise credits the team’s string of successful seasons to the program itself.
“We always field a solid junior varsity team. I have been lucky over the past few seasons to be able to have a JV program and a coach who helps keep the program moving in this direction,” Van Hise said. “We also have a strong base of alumni who are always willing to come back to work with our guys during the offseason, and to really keep tennis alive and well in a community that really isn’t considered to be known as a tennis hot bed.”
With the regular season in the rear view mirror, Central Regional can shift its attention to postseason play – something that the program did not get much experience with last year. Central qualified for the Shore Conference Tournament as the 22nd seed, setting up a first-round matchup with 11th-seeded Manasquan. Central lost the match 5-0, but being able to participate in the tournament and to put up respectable scores against a quality opponent in the Warriors shows the strides that were made during the offseason.
“Every year, one of the goals set as a team is to qualify for the SCT and for the state tournament,” Van Hise said. “Qualifying for the SCT and putting up respectable individual scores against a very solid Manasquan team was a nice spring board moving forward.”
Central has also qualified to compete in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III tournament, claiming the seventh seed. Central defeated Winslow in their first-round matchup on May 8, but will most likely need to find success away from home to advance deeper into the tournament.
The Golden Eagles will also take part in the Ocean County Tournament, in which Murray and Wilfrid each placed third individually just a season ago. In this year’s tournament, Wilfrid will slot in at first singles.
“I am looking forward to our matchups in the state tournament, as well as the OCT coming up.” Van Hise said.
Regardless of the time spent in the NJSIAA tournament, or the individual or team success at the OCT, Central Regional has proven that it can take a few hits, but it will always find a way to get back up quickly.
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