RED BANK CATHOLIC’S KELLY BECOMING A DUAL THREAT THIS SEASON

If you are looking for a role model for an unselfish player, Red Bank Catholic boys basketball coach Tyler Schmelz would like to introduce you to senior center John Kelly. “John was a key member of our team last year, starting every game at center, but he has taken on big leadership role with our team this year as a senior. He works hard in practice every day and supports all of his teammates,” Schmelz said. “He is in great shape and all over the floor both offensively and defensively. As far as his role this year, John is a really good defender and team player. He is always hustling, thinking, and trying to help his teammates on the defensive end.” The biggest adjustment in Kelly’s game has been his ability to improve his scoring and that has now made him a dual threat, both on offense and defense, for the Caseys this season. “Offensively he went from 4.9 points per game last season to averaging 9.6 points per game this season. John is a very unselfish player. He is always looking to set a good screen or make an extra pass to a teammate.” Schmelz said. “When your senior leaders work as hard as John does and (they) play the game with such enthusiasm and unselfishness, it is a great influence on the team and the younger players.” The Caseys are off to 13-5 start and have complied a 8-3 record in the Class B North division as of Jan. 31. If you were to analyze the reasons the Caseys have been successful, John’s performance on the court is one of those factors. “John has really worked on his finishing around the basket. He is scoring more consistently around the hoop this season, but he is also quicker and more agile so he is creating more shots for teammates and scoring on more drives than he had in years past,” Schmelz said. “John is a really strong team defender. He guards big guys and he can switch onto guards when needed. He is always trying to make the right play on the defensive end. He has great length and timing. Combined with his readiness to help, this has led to a lot of blocked shots.” That ability was displayed recently when John Kelly had 19 points, five rebounds and two blocks in a 62-58 win over St. John Vianney in a nondivisional game on Jan. 20. The readers of the Asbury Park Press were so enamored with John Kelly’s performance they voted him as the Asbury Park Press Week 5 Player of the week via the fan poll with 2,419 of the 5,359 votes tallied that week (45.14 percent). “He blocked 30 shots last year. He already has 62 blocks this season and is averaging , 3.9 blocks per game this season, including four vs Manasquan and 11 against Wall this past week,” Schmelz said.

RED BANK CATHOLIC’S KELLY BECOMING A DUAL THREAT THIS SEASON

SHERLON CHRISTIE

App Sports | 2/2/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Peter Ackerman