Goetz hoopsters end campaign with 12-12 record
The Goetz Middle School boys basketball team of Jackson recently capped its 2008-09 season with a solid showing in the St. Dominic School, Brick Township, tournament.

The Goetz cagers from Jackson won two games before losing in the semifinals.

"I was really proud of the way this team played in this tournament," coach Steve Bado said. "I thought that we played with a lot of heart and showed plenty of guts. We were able to put up a respectable showing and we even gained revenge on a team that we had lost to earlier in the year."

After knocking off Holy Cross, 42-32, in the opening round, Goetz took Southern to overtime before escaping with a dramatic 48-44 victory. It was a game that Bado said his players had a special interest in winning.

"We were looking forward to playing them again," Bado said. "We had gotten beaten by them pretty handily twice during the regular season. This time, however, was a different story. We really played well and we were able to make plays and get stops at the end of the game."

The Goetz hoopsters showed their poise from the free throw line in the overtime period, hitting 9 of 10 free throws to post the final margin of victory. Pete Hetzel emerged as the key shooter from the charity stripe, making 6 of 9 free throws in the extra session.

"Our free throw shooting in that overtime period was the difference in the game," Bado said. "Our guys did a great job taking advantage of the situation. We were able to step up and knock down key shots. When you have two teams that are evenly matched, defense and free throws usually determine the outcome. This time we were better in both departments."

Hetzel finished with a team-high 18 points, while teammate Jake Harlinski chipped in with 10 points. Pat Duggan added 8 and Matt Hogan had 6 for Goetz, which captured its 12th win of the season.

"Hetzel had an outstanding game for us," Bado said. "He got it done at both ends of the floor. It was his free throw shooting in overtime that really sealed it for us. Plus, we had other guys contribute at the offensive end. When we come at teams with a more balanced attack, it seems that we have more success."

The last time the teams played each other, the Goetz players shot poorly from the field and the charity stripe.

"I think [Southern] may have been surprised at how well we shot the ball in this game," Bado said. "We caught them a little off-guard. We got good shots and took full advantage at the free throw line. Against a team like Southern, you have to play defense and shoot well to give yourself a chance to win at the end."

Goetz's run came to an end in the tournament semifinals with a loss to its Jackson crosstown rival McAuliffe. Harlinski was named to the all-tournament team.

The Goetz basketball team closed the year with a record of 12-12, which included a third-place finish in the Ocean County Intermediate School League Red Division.

"It was great to close out the year in this fashion," Bado said. "We encountered a number of tough losses this season, and to have a run like this puts a positive spin to our season."

— Mike White