24 - Twp. Sports The Patriot - W.T.H.S. May, 2011 Township Sports The Patriot Washington Township High School, Boys tennis team seeking success Vol. XVI, Issue 6 529 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, Sewell, NJ May, 2011 Anthony Dentino ‘11 Of course, experience and even coaching role as varsity members of the team and takes ability can be for naught in any sport if the players their leadership responsibilities seriously. As the harsh winter weather is starting to do not buy into the system. However, it is evident Sharma stated, “As a senior I definitely try give way to the warmth and sunshine, excitement that this is not the case for Washington to encourage the underclassmen as much I can. Sibert’s success Ally Gallo ‘11 is brewing about many of Washington Township Township. While it has certainly been an Tennis can become a very frustrating sport High School’s spring sports teams. And while adjustment period, the players all agree that because your technique has to be dead on, you When walking through the doors of many people associate spring with the ping of Surplus runs the program similarly to Flemming, need to have a good head on your shoulders and Washington Township High School on the first balls flying off of aluminum bats, a certain group and whatever differences there may be, are all a lot of teams [we play throughout the season] day of his freshman year, little did Shane Sibert of athletes is focused on the pop of balls positive. are really tough. Whenever we do exercises I try realize he would be crowned the 2011 Mr. WT smashing off of a racket. Prasun Sharma ‘11 said, “[As a team] we to push the team to finish it out. If someone hits his senior year. The Washington Township High School love messing around, but with Coach Surplus we a nice shot I’ll give them encouragement or if “First I remember holding hands with Boys Tennis team enters the 2011 campaign get serious and try to learn as much from her as someone hits a bad shot I try to point out what everyone waiting for the runner’s up to be called, under new leadership, with Ms. Cindy Surplus possible because she knows a lot about tennis. they did wrong. And most importantly if then getting bum rushed by everyone and not taking over the helm for longtime coach Mr. Rich But a lot of times she goofs off with us too. We someone needs help with their technique then being able to breathe,” said Sibert. “I’ll never Flemming. have also have lot more technique drills with I’ll definitely help them.” forget Meghna’s voice and the exact way she Nevertheless, Surplus, a former tennis Coach Surplus and game play strategy.” Another crucial element needed to ensure said my name.” player at Haddon Township High School, East Not surprisingly, Coach Surplus also feels the Washington Township Boys Tennis team’s Sibert is known for many things here at Carolina University, and The College of New that the team has responded well and is glad that success is goal setting. This year, the athletes Washington Township High School. He was voted Jersey, has plenty of tennis experience. the transition has been swift, stating “The team have lofty goals and hope to build upon last by his classmates for “Best Smile” back in “Coach Surplus has been a volunteer is responding very well; having Coach Rearick season’s strengths and chip away at their November, and he is an active member of DECA. assistant for the girls’ tennis team the last 3 with me has helped them transition. I made it weaknesses. You can also catch him on the morning years. She has been an invaluable asset to the clear that I want us to be successful in many The team hopes to qualify for the South announcements, and some of the most well girls’ team, and my biggest wish is that she different areas, and the boys are all on board Jersey Open and play deep into the Gloucester favored and remembered commercials from this returns to continue and help the team in the fall. with this. I am really enjoying getting to know County Tournament while also proving year were made by him. Having played as a singles player at Haddon my players and am thankful for all the positive themselves worthy adversaries to other Olympic His peers believe he couldn’t have deserved Township and The College of New Jersey, Ms. comments and responses I receive from both Conference foes. In addition, qualifying for the the honor of Mr. WT more. “Shane is probably the most genuine guy I Surplus brings an enormous amount of playing parents and players.” state tournament looms as a distant yet attainable Photo courtesy of LINDA HANFORD ‘11 and coaching experience to WTHS boys’ team. In addition, the team returns a slew of mark, and the ultimate goal of the squad is to know,” said Mandy Verno ’11. “He is talented, Shane Sibert was crowned the 2011 Mr. Washington Township on April 28. The other [She is] a confident leader and amazing instructor, veteran players such as seniors Prasun Sharma, compete and work diligently to reach their goals but modest, and is such a reliable friend to anyone Mr. WT boys raise him on their shoulders to celebrate. and the boys will benefit from the wealth of Jason Melfi, and Nick DeVito, who are while having fun. who chooses to become his.” knowledge she brings to the team. I look complimented by underclassmen Derek Alfinito With a different yet far from inexperienced Sibert was crowned Mr. WT during the night the next Nickelodeon star, in this case the 2011 routines to perform the night of the show. forward to watching the boys succeed under Ms. ’12, Raghav Sahni ’12, and Steve Hauser ‘13 as coach, veteran leadership, and a high morale, the of the Mr. Washington Township show on Mr. Washington Township. “The most ironic part about it all is that I Surplus’s tutelage,” said Flemming of Surplus’s well as first year senior player Mike Osborne. 2011 campaign stands to be a successful one for Thursday, April 28. The theme of this year’s “I feel that performing in Mr. WT was a actually don’t know what I’m going to do now knowledge of tennis and coaching ability. This core group of players understands their the Minutemen. show was Nickelodeon. Throughout the night, great experience,” said Ryan Francisco ’11. “My that it’s over,” said Richards. “I never thought the 12 most well rounded boys that the senior favorite part was just being able to share that I’d say this then, but I would do it all over again class of 2011 voted for showed off their night with 11 great guys.” in a second. All in all, love-hate relationship or personalities and dancing skills competing to be The entire show is put on by Student not, it was definitely one of the greatest things Minutemen baseball making a move to the playoffs Council. Advisors Ms. Elizabeth Longo and Mrs. I’ve experienced in high school.” Francesca Muscelli started planning around the After an opening video to introduce the Anthony Dentino ‘11 Tyler Bright ‘11 said, “Our So far, so good for Township, With this core group of seniors December before the show. This year, the boys, the 12 candidates came on stage performing goal for this season is the same as as part one, taking home the coveted and a strong nucleus of Dancers choreographers that were chosen were seniors a large group dance. Following the dance, the boys It is often said that the only every year: to win states.” Grand Slam Classic trophy, has been underclassmen, the Minutemen feel Alexandra Richards, Nicoleta Sinagridis and Ally were introduced one by one each representing a place success comes before work is While few programs are able accomplished. Winning the that they are poised to make a deep tell their Gallo. They worked with the boys for 2-3 nights different month of the year, where they then were in the dictionary. Another truth to continually set this goal with Olympic Conference and Diamond run into the postseason while a week since February, teaching them dance about sports is that a team will get realistic hopes of actually achieving Classic will not be easy, but the continuing to make history as a part See MR. WT page 3 out of their season what they put it, Washington Township is one of experienced and senior-laden of an already storied program. story into it. Based off of the recent those teams. Of course, the journey Minutemen feel their attitude will The Arts - Page 14 successes of the Washington to a state title is long and arduous help them be up to the task. Township Minutemen Baseball one, and along the way the team “The biggest strength of the Next Issue: Inside... team, it is apparent that they are no hopes to accomplish other goals. team is our ability to not take Entertainment - p. 18 strangers to dedication. Senior pitcher and outfielder ourselves out of the game through News - pages 1-3 Books - p. 10 Fresh off of a South Jersey Jonny Morad said [in addition to errors or attitude. We don’t get The Patriot Features - p.4 Lifestyles - p. 12 Group IV Sectional crown in the winning states] “My goals for this down on ourselves when we are sits down with Opinions: 2010 campaign, and only four years season are to win the Grand Slam behind and we don’t get complacent starting pitcher National Sports - p.