Ibraham always looking to improve
Forward is averaging 22 points a game
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY staff Manalapan’s Omar Ibraham puts in two of his 22 points during the Braves’ loss to Ocean Township on Saturday in Ocean.

MANALAPAN — Rick Garretson could see it coming.

Even though forward Omar Ibraham earned All-Freehold Regional District honors, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds a game, it wasn’t enough for him. He still wasn’t satisfied; still wanted to get better.

Since the conclusion of the 2003-04 season last March, Ibraham has transformed himself into an even more complete player.

The change began as soon as the scholastic season came to an end in the state playoffs last March.

“We sat down after the season and talked about his strengths and what he needed to work on,” Garretson said. “He has a passion for basketball. In the off-season, his work ethic was tremendous. When he wasn’t shooting baskets, he was in the weight room.”

The weight room has turned Ibraham into a new player — one who can’t be pushed out of position in the post. He can pound teams in the blocks and can rely on his strength just as much as his finesse.

“He worked a lot on his post moves in the summer,” Garretson pointed out. “He now has strong power moves to go with his finesses. He can slash and drive to the basket, go to the post or go outside and shoot the three. He’s also a very good passer. He has the full arsenal.”

The senior, who averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds a game last year, is averaging 22 points a game. In the recent Kuhnert Holiday Tournament, he had the highest scoring average (27.5) after scoring 55 points in two games, including the highest single game total (30).

Ibraham has endeared himself to his coach for more than his basketball talents.

“He’s a pleasure to coach,” Garretson noted. “He’s a nice kid with a huge heart.”

With Ibraham on the top of his game, the Braves (3-3 overall) find themselves with a chance in the A North Division public school’s title chase.

“It’s wide open,” Garretson said. “It’s nuts. We have a very good shot if we can bring our A game. That’s what we have to learn, that we have to bring our A game every night.”

The Braves learned that lesson the hard way twice last week, falling to Howell Dec. 4 on a buzzer-beater, 52-51, and again on Friday, when they lost at Ocean Township, 57-55.

Still, at 2-2 in the division, the Braves are just one game behind front-runner Freehold Township, last year’s champion.

Freehold Township may have lost Manny Ubilla and his explosiveness, but they remain dangerous because of the team’s depth. Coach Brian Golub has a deep rotation that can wear teams down. Marcus Roberson is beginning to show his talent on a consistent basis, and T.J. LaFalace has proven to be the top newcomer in the area.

Roberson and LaFalace each netted a game-high 14 Friday night when Freehold Township beat Howell, 63-49, and improved to 3-1 in the division and 4-3 overall.

With a deep bench, the Patriots have been able to dictate the pace of games.

This week, Freehold Township hosts Ocean, one of four teams with a 2-2 divisional record, on Tuesday and will be at Middletown North Jan. 14. The Pats meet Manalapan for the first time on Jan. 18 and that will be the halfway point of the A North season.

Then there is Marlboro, the Kuhnert Holiday Tournament champions, which incredibly, lost its first three division games.

Friday, the Mustangs avoided eliminating themselves by beating Middletown North, 67-58. It was a solid effort by the Mustangs, with Rodney Salomon scoring a game-high 21 and pulling down 10 rebounds as well as Marlboro improved to 4-3 overall.

The Mustangs’ 0-3 start includes a loss at Freehold Township. For the ’Stangs to get back in the race, they have to go on a serious winning streak and hope that Township falters so that their Jan. 28 game in Marlboro will have meaning for both teams.

Howell (2-6 overall) is another of the 2-2 teams. The young Rebels may not be ready to be in the hunt for the long haul, but as they reminded Manalapan on Miguel Madina’s last-second shot, they are more than capable of being the spoiler.