A new start

Green, Mighty Oaks restock roster, mold an athletic team ‘geared’ for the nationals looking to create its own legacy

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT — Mike Green looks like a guy who knows something and can’t wait to spring it on folks.

The Salem CC basketball coach had that same feeling last year, but had to wait until the calendar turned to turn it all loose – with historic results. 

His instincts proved right and with the emergence of three second-semester eligibles the Mighty Oaks soared to their first-ever JUCO district championship and a top five finish in the national tournament.

This year, with virtually an entire new roster – such is the churn in junior college basketball – and without some of the elements that made last season special, the third-year Salem coach feels even better about the product he can put on the court next winter.

And this time he can put it all on the floor without having to hold anything back.

“I’m high on all these kids,” Green said after one of the team’s recent summer workouts. “I think this team is more talented than last year, but that doesn’t mean anything. 

“We got out to the nationals (last year) and saw parts that we needed (and) we picked them up. But it’s a long road before you even get to nationals. Last year let us know we’ve got to turn it up even more. I think this team is more geared for nationals, but you’ve got to get there. You’ve got to take care of all the stuff in between. Brand new team, brand new year.”

The Mighty Oaks return only three players from last year’s 26-8 team that won three games in the national tournament In Herkimer, N.Y., and in some ways Green is OK with that because he sees as his job to get his players to the next level as quickly as possible.

To replenish the roster Green went back to his roots, digging deep into Philadelphia and Delaware to steal players either overlooked in the process or late bloomers and even snatching others away from programs too slow to pull the trigger.

“Our town, Philadelphia, picked up on (their vision) big time,” Green said. “We promoted it well. It’s a thing now. Salem is a thing now. We did more turning guys down than anything.”

There are 10 newcomers in total. Some even came over from region rivals.

Kamari Brasher played five games at Northampton last year, going for a double-double in his college debut. Nyeem Johnson, a 6-3 guard perhaps the biggest catch of the signing class, averaged 14.9 points in 15 second-semester games for Montgomery County CC last year. He scored 15 points in 32 minutes in the Feb. 4 win over Salem that was the Mighty Oaks’ last loss before the national tournament, but didn’t play in the district championship game Salem won by eight.

Johnson already has two Division I offers – Cal State-Bakersfield (which showed interest early last year in Jyheim Spencer) and Louisiana Tech. Naseem Wright is another projected Division I talent.

“Seeing their success, I only plan to continue that,” Johnson said. “Coming in, I’ve seen the type of team they are. They play fast, they play hard, everybody is talented. This is a way more talented team, so I plan to win everything.”

Now that he’s here, he’s all in with the Mighty Oaks.

“It’s all love,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s no bad blood or anything (when the Mighty Oaks face Montco again). I just plan to step on the court and do what I do.”

The Mighty Oaks are expected to raise their district championship/national tournament banner before their Nov. 13 game against Bergen CC. They’re also expected to unveil a new set of green road uniforms, designed by Green, during their picture day.

“The talent level is high,” Green said. “Now, we just have to get these guys to buy in like we did last year and get them trusting each other.”

SALEM CC BASKETBALL SIGNEES
Lenar Anderson, 6-2 SG, Wilmington, Del. (McKean)
Kamari Brasher, 6-5 F, Roslyn, Pa. (Abington/Northampton)
Zy’Aire Gibson, 6-3 SG, New Castle, Del. (William Penn)
Paul Glants, 6-4 G, Abington (Abington)
Nayeem Johnson, 6-3 G, Philadelphia (CMS/E. Stroudsburg/Montco CC)
Saadi Lee, 6-0 PG, Philadelphia (West Catholic)
Jarrell Little, 6-3 G, Philadelphia (Dobbins)
Taavi Mateen, 6-3 G, Philadelphia (Cheltenham/Wood/Camden)
Idris Rines, 6-6 F, Upper Dublin (Upper Dublin)
Quadeair Smith, 6-4 F, Philadelphia (Audenried)
Nasseem Wright, 6-6 SG, Philadelphia (Lincoln/Girard)

SALEM CC RETURNEES
Xavier Brewington, PG, 34 GP, 10.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 45-145 3FG, 47 steals, 99 assists
Julian Jones, PG, 12 GP (inj.), 3.4 ppg, 21 assists
Stefan Phillips, F-C, 27 GP, 5.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 45-73 FG, 45-51 FT

Photo: Salem CC basketball coach Mike Green talks with his team at the end of a recent summer workout.