SJ Sports: Inside Gloucester Sports

Team Time
Township Hoops and Timber Creek Softball Thrive Rich Bratelli knows the infatuation that kids have with the sport of basketball. "There's tons of fast-paced action in the game, that's what kids want these days," he said. "The sport is exploding."

The younger generation of hoopsters, that has grown to record numbers, needs a place to sharpen their skills. That's where Bratelli comes in. Bratelli, the father of three sons, led a reorganization of the Gloucester Township Boys' Basketball League (GTBBL) eight years ago and has blossomed by incredible proportions.

The GTBBL houses more than 600 kids, ranging in ages from 7 to 17, and has more than 100 volunteer coaches. Last season, much to Bratelli's regret, the league actually had to turn away several players. The league has more than 55 teams that play an average of 65 games per week during the regular basketball season that begins in December.

Among the biggest changes during the past few seasons has been the addition of the GTBBL Stars Summer Basketball Camp, the High School Developmental Program and the Collegiate Player Developmental Program that is headed by Ted Davis, who has heavy connections to the longstanding and infamous Sonny Hill League in Philadelphia. "The collegiate player developmental program is an incredible opportunity for some of the league's premier players," said Bratelli. "In the first season, 16 players were invited to join the program and it was a success. It's an intensive training program."

Five of the league's players have gone on to play collegiate ball, including Highland's Gene Mergenthal and Matt Roarke. Both of whom are playing at Rutgers University-Camden Campus. Bratelli has also established a summer league for high school and collegiate players. "The high school program is for players that weren't on the varsity team at their high school," Bratelli said. "It gives them an excellent opportunity to strengthen their skills and take their game to the next level. The collegiate division is for the more experienced players."

The GTBBL also has strong ties to the community. The league awarded seven college scholarships to deserving athletes and run a charity named "Hoop Dreams." "We want to be very active in the community," said Bratelli, who has also managed to organize an annual Night with the Philadelphia 76ers, a March Madness Week and a fun day at Clementon Lake Park. The league will have another strong point for the younger kids thanks to one of its current players, Kevin Haines. Haines, the starting point guard for Highland's varsity team, is being courted to star in an upcoming season of MTV's Real World.

The league, which was originally formed in 1978, will celebrate its silver anniversary next season. For more information, the GTBBL has an excellent web site located at http://www.pics.com/gtbbl. The site is loaded with tidbits including the history of the league, an in-depth monthly newsletter, league forms, camp and special progam information, as well as pictures and details on special events.

Lightning Bolts
South Jersey's biggest surprise softball team of the spring resided right in Gloucester Township. The Timber Creek Chargers, with no seniors and very limited varsity experience in the lineup, finished its inaugural season at 16-9. The remarkable run included a playoff victory and a trip to the South Jersey Group 3 semifinals. "I really didn't know what to expect in the beginning of the season," said Timber Creek coach Diane Nelson, who was at the helm of Triton last season. "The girls gelled quickly," Nelson said of her fledgling team. "They played incredible defense, which I thought was the biggest key, and put together a great season."

Junior Alison Lang electrified the Chargers lineup. The shortstop, who played at Highland in 2001, put together a team-high .541 batting average with an eye-popping 41 hits. Eighteen hits went for extra-bases including 13 doubles and three home runs. "We're just a bunch of small-town girls that work well together and play really strong defense," said Lang, who went a combined 9 for 9 in a two combined games in May. Lang's defense also shined according to Nelson. "If she had two errors for the entire season, I'd be suprised," she said. "She gets a ton of plays her way and she makes them all."

Ironically, Lang never played shortstop until her freshman season when Highland coach Jan Johnston moved her from the catcher spot. "At first, I wasn't happy about moving to shortstop, but now I love the position," Lang said. Lang anchors a strong infield defense that includes first baseman Boni Cunningham and third baseman Cara Floyd. Sophomore catcher Tina Faust has been a steady compliment to the strong pitching of sophomore Stacey Warren. Warren won 11 games, including a no-hitter. "Stacey has decent speed but she isn't going to overpower hitters," Nelson said. "She hits her spots, that's how she gets hitters out." Timber Creek's success has already created much excitement for next year. "We're pumped," Lang said. "We accomplished a lot this season and we're only going to get better."

Other Happenings
Around the township, Highland enjoyed a successful season with a 15-5 record. The Tartans exited the playoffs with a 3-0 loss to Clearview in the South Jersey Group 3 semifinal round.

Triton's Greta Holmgren, daughter of former Philadelphia Flyers player and coach and now the assistant general manager Paul Holmgren, put together an incredible offensive season. The sophomore registered team-highs in average (.453), hits (29), RBIs (21), homers (3), doubles (8), slugging percentage (.750) and multi-hit games (11). Triton finished its season at 8-10 under first-year coach Glenn Smith.

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Author: SJ Sports Club-Tom McGurk