When one thinks of Saint John Vianney basketball they normally think about the Lady Lancers and their storied history since the 1980s, however the 2014-15 season is a bit different. Although the Lady Lancers are off to a fast start as usual at 6- 1, it the SJV Boys basketball team who is making headlines and through their first seven games the Lancers sit at 5-2. Early on the Lancers have wins over St. Rose, Pinelands, Holmdel, Absegami and southern New Jersey power Pemberton.

Led by senior John-Michael Broderick and junior Zach Howarth, the Lancers have a different identity than previous years. Along with Grant Goode, Kevin Callari, Matt Debrizzi, and Ryan Simmonds the Lancers are able to score in bunches with every player being able to contribute offensively.

I was able to speak with Broderick a few days ago and ask him a few things about the new and improved Lancers. I had asked John if being the lone senior on the team feels as if you have taken an ‘older brother’ role this season?

He replied by saying “Definitely.  I think as the only senior on the team and as the captain it is my job to look out for everyone and show everyone the way. I think that when I am gone next year that the juniors that are here now will have a really good shot at winning a Shore conference title, so for me I am showing these guys how to win and not get cocky and to stay humble and to do things the right way.”

One thing that is very prevalent in the 2014-15 Lancers is that they have great team chemistry. In years past a few teams have struggled buying in to Coach Conklin’s system but this year it seems as if the team has been able to tie everything together and become a tight knit team.

“I think coming into the season we knew that we were going to have a lot of talent on this year’s team. So we made it a point to play with each other in the summer and in the fall, and even during AAU season to gain chemistry and really get to know each other well both on and off the floor.” said Broderick.,. Chemistry for any team is a key aspect for success.

Fast starts are also key to a team’s success and that’s exactly what the Lancers have gotten off to this season “It’s huge because it sets the tone for the rest of the season, and I think that it gives us confidence as well, for the rest of the season saying that we can play with and beat anybody on any given night.”

Perhaps the most important thing for the Lancers this season will be to take their fast start and translate that into the second half of the season and divisional play.

With a big game coming up just this Friday against divisional opponent Manasquan the Lancers look to stay hot. “We are going to continue to work hard in practice and stay motivated and stay hungry to win.”

The Lancers have made great strides early on and it is evident that these Lancers are better than past teams and they look to continue their successes in the rest of the 2015 campaign.