Belleville turns to new head coach Jim Stoeckel to lead the Buccaneers through some tough times. From l. are Shakhi Tanner, Joel Ayala, Henry Ayala, head coach Jim Stoeckel, Jacob Dabon and Wilbert Then.
By Jim Hague
Observer Sports Writer
Once again, the Belleville boys’ basketball head coaching position was open and Jim Stoeckel was poised, ready for the challenge.
“I felt it was a good opportunity to build something from scratch,” said Stoeckel, who was hired in September to replace Kurt Villani. “I live in the area. I know Essex County basketball. I know Belleville. I remember going to Belleville games when I was younger.”
Stoeckel’s father, Jim Sr., is a long-time high school basketball referee in Essex County, so the familiarity has always been there.
The younger Stoeckel was the head coach at Newark Academy for five years and spent the last three years at Bloomfield under Patrick Brunner.
“I wanted the chance to get back to being a head coach again,” Stoeckel said. “I know it’s a challenge, but I want to get in Belleville and get kids interested at the lower levels, like middle school and take it from there. I know Belleville could be a good program and when we get it there, we want to keep it there.”
Stoeckel said that he’s been encouraged by the turnout and the effort of the players.
“It’s been very good,” Stoeckel said. “We have to put this all together in two weeks. I’ve never dealt with anything like this before. No one knows anything. The kids are all learning to play. It’s a lot to take in, with such a short period of time.”
Nearly 60 kids attended tryouts and Stoeckel had to weed through the numbers and get his 15- man roster.
“Those first two days with the 60 kids were hectic,” Stoeckel said. “I had to get through it. We’re now pretty much set. We’re still waiting for a few kids to pass their physicals. Things are a little different now.”
Stoeckel said that he has been impressed with how hard the players have performed.
“I’m encouraged by the effort,” Stoeckel said. “They have responded well. I think we have to give it time and we’ll see. But if the effort is already there, that’s the first step. If they’re willing to learn, then they can become a better basketball team.” Stoeckel said that he didn’t see the Buccaneers play last year, so he’s starting with a clean slate.
“I just heard that one kid came off the bench and played a little,” Stoeckel said. “That’s all I knew. I was happy that there were so many freshmen and sophomores came to tryouts. I want to lay down the ground work now, so the kids can learn. We have five seniors, not like having 20 seniors. So we have to build from the bottom up.”
Leading the returnees is Jacob Dabon, a 5-foot-11 senior with good range from the outside.
“He definitely can shoot it,” Stoeckel said.
Senior Wilbert Then is a 5-foot-10 guard who is a tough defender. Senior Shakhi Tanner is a 6-foot-2 guard with long arms.
“He’s long and wiry,” Stoeckel said. “He can play a little.”
Nelson Pichardo is a junior guard with decent skills. Antonio Tyler is a 5-foot-9 senior guard. Chris Torres and Wally Battle are both 6-foot-2 junior forwards who will help on the inside.
The Ayala twins, namely Henry and Joel, help the Buccaneers’ depth.
Ande Velez is a 5-foot-7 sophomore with a ton of promise.
Stoeckel is still getting to know his team, learning their positives and negatives, pluses and minuses. He deserves the chance to learn what he’s coaching. It’s been a whirlwind since he was hired less than two months ago.
“It’s not going to happen overnight,” Stoeckel said. “We do have excellent effort thus far. That’s the first step.”
