Impastato ignites Patriots with his all-around game
Township boys in the hunt for state playoffs
By tim morris
Staff Writer

JERRY WOLKOWITZ Howell’s Chris Hurley tries to find an opening while being surrounded by Freehold Township players during a game on Friday.

At crunch time, Freehold Township turns to point guard Andrew Impastato. The Pats will spread the floor and get the ball into the hands of their slick ball handler with the quick first step to the basket. The junior will either take the ball to the basket and get fouled (he’s an 80 percent foul shooter) or get the ball to the open man.

Last Friday night was crunch time for Coach Brian Golub’s Patriots when they traveled to Howell for an A North Division game that was critical to the state playoff chances of both teams. And once again it was Impastato who was the sparkplug, leading Freehold Township to a big 60-48 win.

With the Saturday deadline to be .500 or better, the Pats climbed to 7-8, and with three games this week, they have the chance to get to that magic .500 level. (They will be at Middletown South on Friday).

Howell slipped to 6-8 and will have to win all three of its games this week, one of which is against Shore No. 1 Christian Brothers Academy, on Friday.

JERRY WOLKOWITZ Freehold Township’s Mike Popek goes up for a shot while being guarded by Howell’s Joe Hassas on Friday.

The Pats broke open a close game in the fourth quarter with Impastato scoring nine of his game-high 20 points.

When he wasn’t scoring, Impastato was making plays for everyone else, like finding Mike Popek and Tim Walker open for three-pointers that took the wind out of the Rebels’ sails.

The Pats spread the court and let Impastato run the show.

When he was doubled, he found the open man, and when he wasn’t, he took it hard to the basket, making three-point plays and drawing fouls.

It was a performance that Golub and the Pats have seen all winter as Impastato has developed into one of the top players in the Shore, averaging 17 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals a game.

"Andrew is a complete player," said Golub. "All he cares about is winning, not stats. He played a lot of AAU ball over the summer, and that has made him a better player.

"He gave up soccer and made a commitment to basketball, and that definitely made a difference," he added.

Impastato is fulfilling the potential that Golub first saw in the 5-11 point guard when he was a freshman.

"I was in Long Branch his freshman year," Golub recalled. "In the last minute he hit a big three-pointer and then made a steal and scored off it. That’s when I knew he would be special."

Last year, Impastato began to tap his potential, and this year he is running on all cylinders, showing an improved offensive game.

"Last year, Andrew was one of three on our offense with Brian Brach and Ben Allman," noted Golub. "He knew that with their graduation he had to take his game to the next level, and he has.

"His outside shooting has improved the most; he’s hitting 43 percent of his three-pointers and has 38 threes already," Golub added.

Impastato is also deadly penetrating to the basket, as he proved at Howell.

"Andrew is fearless going to the basket," Golub pointed out.

Despite the improved scoring output, Impastato remains a point guard at heart. His five assists per game are a testimony to his unselfish play.

Along with his physical and competitive gifts, Impastato has one other thing working for him, as he is a student of the game.

"Andrew takes the tape of every game we play home and reviews it," said Golub. "He looks for things that he and the team can do better. He’s like a coach on the court."

Impastato’s play and the steady improvement of the Pats as a team have given Freehold Township a chance to qualify for the state playoffs.

Ryan Brown backed Impastato up with 13 points as the Pats picked up their badly needed win.

Chris Hurley (16) and Chris Brown (14) led the Rebels, whose playoff hopes took a turn for the worse.

Freehold Borough and Colts Neck also have make-it-or-break-it weeks coming up, like Freehold Township and Howell.

The Colonials are 7-8 after beating Keyport, 61-41, behind Bilal Salahuddin’s 24 points last Thursday. The Colonials were at Manasquan (who at 6-6 is fighting for its playoff life as well) last night, and on Friday, Freehold hosts always-dangerous Holmdel (12-4) in what could be a play-in game for the Colonials.

Colts Neck lost a tough one at home to Holmdel Friday night, 38-37. That left the Cougars at 6-8, needing wins in both of its road games this week to qualify.

The Cougars were at Wall last night and are at Asbury Park on Friday.