From EssexNewsDaily.com written by Joe Ragozzino
GLEN RIDGE — The Glen Ridge High School boys basketball team is excited to be led by its three senior captains — Ryan Law, Jayraj Pasricha and Max Pockriss – this upcoming winter season.
The captains were key contributors to last season’s 17-11 team. Law, a forward, was named the NJ.com Super Essex Conference–Independence Division Player of the Year after averaging 18.1 points and 9.9 rebounds a game. Law enters the season with 1,085 career points.
Law and Pasricha this summer have been playing AAU basketball for the Jersey Shore Predators and United, respectively. The Predators recently won the Hoop Group Academic League 17U tournament title in Pittsburgh.
Pasricha had an impressive AAU season, averaging 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.25 steals, while shooting 42 % from three-point range. Both Law and Pasricha have received interest from Division II and Division III collegiate programs
GRHS head coach Mike Salvatelli is thrilled about his new captains.
“We’re really excited for those three,” Salvatelli said. “Ryan, Jayraj and Max had big junior years and big offseasons coming into this upcoming senior season. They were the ones showing up at open gyms, leading the team in the (Bloomfield) summer league. They are all great leaders, they are all great kids and they are all great friends, which makes it that much easier for me. We’re excited. We lost a big group of seniors, but these guys are excited for the challenge and they know their roles became bigger and that they got to take on that senior leadership with a lot of young guys coming in. We’re excited. We know it’s going to be a big year.”
The Ridgers last summer won the Bloomfield summer league title. This summer, they were missing quite a few players due to other commitments, but the freshmen took advantage of the opportunity to gain valuable experience, much to Salvatelli’s delight.
Salvatelli has directed the Glen Ridge M.V.P. Sports Camps each summer for the past several years.
The following is a Q&A with the three captains:
Q: How does it feel to be named a captain?
Pasricha: It’s an incredible honor to lead a program that has meant so much to me since my freshman year. I’m focused on setting a strong example and helping us achieve our goals.
Law: I feel honored and grateful to be named captain of the basketball team. It has been a goal of mine ever since I put on a Glen Ridge jersey for the first time, and feels rewarding knowing all the hard work and sacrifice is being recognized.
Pockriss: Being named captain means a lot to me. It’s a role I’ve wanted to earn through how I show up for my teammates, not just what I do on the court. I’m excited for this upcoming season and ready to take on the responsibility that comes with it.
Q: What are your hopes and goals for the team?
Pasricha: I hope to win our division and become a state champion, while continuing to build the culture of Glen Ridge Basketball so that we set the standard for years to come.
Law: The goal for this season is a sectional and state championship. Alongside that, the holiday tournament is also a box we are looking to check off.
Pockriss: My biggest goal is to make a deep playoff run and build on what this program has already done. But most importantly, I want us to have a team culture where everyone holds each other accountable and shows up every single day. If we do that, the results will follow.
Q: What factors will help achieve a successful season?
Pasricha: A buy-in from everyone. We’re a young team after losing a bunch of seniors and we need to continue to grow as a group from the rest of summer into fall to prepare us for the season.
Law: We graduated a lot last year and people are counting us out, but we have all the talent we need to win games this year. If we can come together and buy into what coach is telling us, we are going to be a hard team to beat this year.
Pockriss: Team chemistry and buying in are the two biggest factors to achieving success this season. Everyone on the roster knowing their role and putting the team first will also be super important. Bringing focus and energy everyday in practice will translate to games.
Q: Describe the bond you have with your fellow captains and the rest of your teammates.
Pasricha: Ryan, Max and I have been teammates since the fourth grade. Our friendship and chemistry has been built over those years and that carries over to the rest of the team. We have a strong bond, on and off the court, which allows us to hold each other accountable and execute effectively.
Law: I have a very close bond with my fellow captains; we’ve played together since fourth grade. The connections and memories that we have made in the years playing together have built so much trust and chemistry between the three of us. I also have an inseparable bond with the rest of my teammates; the team as a whole is a very tight-knit group. There’s nobody else I would rather wake up early with to go to a 7 a.m. practice. The connection and bonds that we have as a team is one of our greatest strengths.
Pockriss: My fellow captains and I have played together for years, so we know each other really well – our strengths, our weaknesses and our styles of play. That trust makes leading so much easier because we’re always on the same page. As for the rest of the team, a lot of us have that same history together, too. We’re not only teammates, but also friends who want to see each other succeed.
Q: What role do the fans, student section and local community play in your home-game atmosphere?
Pockriss: The student and community support means a lot to us, and I’m hopeful that even more people will turn out for our games this year. Having people in the stands cheering gives us an extra boost of energy, and it reminds us we’re playing for more than ourselves. We’re looking forward to earning support as the season goes on.
