Defense is the calling card for Brookdale men’s team Jersey Blues home opener tomorrow in Lincroft By tim morris Staff Writer There will be some subtle changes on the court this year for the Brookdale Community College men’s basketball team. However, one thing remains unchanged — high expectations. Paul Cisek’s Jersey Blues are coming off another winning season, 19-12, and have five sophomores returning, all of whom saw significant playing time in 2001-02. Point guard Dennis DelliSanti (Brick Memorial), forwards Chris Brown (Howell), Peter Richardson (Red Bank, Hun School), Bob Varno (Mater Dei) and Marcus Flower (Passaic) are proven players who now have a year’s experience under their belts. To go along with this foundation, Cisek, starting his 11th year at Brookdale, has brought in a talented recruiting class that makes the Blues versatile and deep. Cisek was looking for shooters and size and got it with this group. Manasquan’s Todd Eastmond and Andrew Sigrist, Howell’s Rich Aldiero, Passaic’s Miguel Rodriguez, Manalapan’s Andre Russel (Bronx High School grad), Middletown North’s Joe Leone, Perth Amboy’s Kelvin DeLossantos and transfer Mark Kelly (Ocean Township) make up the 2002 recruiting class that has Cisek excited about this season. "We should be pretty good," said Cisek. "I like this team a lot. I’m very optimistic. "We have so many players who are interchangeable," he added. "I can use different combinations. I can go big or small depending on who we are playing and what we need to do. I’ve never had that before." Up front, the Blues are talented, led by the 6-4 Brown, a proven scorer. The 6-6 Rodriguez, 6-5 Richardson, 6-4 Flowers and 6-4 Leone give the Blues both size and athleticism. They provide a post presence that will force defenses to guard the paint, opening things for the team’s capable shooters. "Rodriguez is a real solid rebounder," noted Cisek. "We’ll have more glass action this year." In the backcourt, DelliSanti will run the show. He’s experienced and a proven leader. The team has depth here with Aldiero more than capable of being put in charge. Eastmond is a very good shooter with three-point and beyond range. Kelly brings the same thing to the table. Unfortunately, Eastmond has a back injury that has him on the sidelines for the start of the season. "We have pretty sound shooting ability," Cisek remarked. One of the reasons for Cisek’s optimism this year is a result of summer ball. For the first time, BCC played as a team in the Belmar League and that has made the team more cohesive. "The kids have been together for awhile and that helps," Cisek pointed out. Cisek has already seen three areas of improvement on the offense. "We running the offense better, getting better shots," he explained. "We run the floor real well and we can shoot the ball. "If a team goes zone we can shoot, if they play man-to-man we’re running our offense well, setting screens well and getting lay-ups and open shots. We have all angles covered." As for the subtle change, that will be on the defensive end where the Jersey Blues won’t play at such a frantic, up-tempo pace. "We’ve spent a lot of time on our half-court, man-to-man defense," said Cisek. "We’ll still press a bit and play a little zone but we’ll be more disciplined. "I’ve noticed in the last few years that the teams that have won the Region have played the best half-court defense," he added. As a result, Cisek has his team working hard so that, come crunch time in a big spot, the defense can make stops and pull down the big rebound. Cisek has set the bar high for his club this year. "Our goal is to win the Region," he said. To help his club achieve that, Brookdale has toughened its non-Garden State Athletic Conference and Region XIX schedule. During the Christmas holiday, the team will be in Florida, playing a number of Division I teams. "We’re going to get beat up a bit early, but it will help us when we begin league play," he noted. Another factor going for the Blues is the fact that the Region XIX semi-finals and final will be in Lincroft. "The tournament is at our place," Cisek remarked. "We have to get to the semi-finals so that we can take advantage of it." The Region tournament, whose winner qualifies for the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament, will hold the first two rounds on Feb. 24 and 26 at the site of the highest seed. The semi-finals in Brookdale are Feb. 28 and the final, March 2. Brookdale’s home opener is tomorrow night at 7 p.m. against Burlington CC. On Dec. 14-15, the Blues are hosting the Brookdale Tournament. Brookdale will play Rockland in the first game at 1 p.m. followed by Globe vs. Essex at 3 p.m. The losers will play at 1 p.m. the next day and the final is next at 3.