Grinding through the busy summertime experience that ranges from the recent Bloomfield Team Camp to the 15-team Bloomfield Summer League is all part of a grand experiment in fitting together all the parts for veteran Caldwell coach Mike Fess.
“It’s really like a laboratory for us as we look to see how all the pieces fit, who can handle the pressure and who might be best suited for what roles,” said the 11th-year Chiefs head hoops honcho who has had much success, including three 20-win seasons in the last four winter campaigns, including a 22-4 mark and 9-1 while winning the Super Essex Conference-Colonial Division title last February. “We’re moving up to the SEC’s second division (the Liberty) and we know that the physicality and pressure we’ll face will be immense.
“Continuing to get out there as much as possible and playing together through July is going to be huge for us to find out a lot more about what we will bring into November.”
Caldwell basically graduated an entire starting five in June while bidding adieu to guards Joe Giannetta, Brodie Cook and Lucas Turner along with forwards Santiago Garces and Marco Sozio. However, Fess and his coaching staff did an excellent job of working in a number of youngsters under fire in the SEC-Colonial Division contests during the 2024-2025 season which means that a number of key performers are back this summer with at least some notable SEC varsity basketball experience to build on in preparation for the new season in December.
The Chiefs’ backcourt could once again be a strongpoint with the return of rising junior combo guards Joe Diorio and Dan Vybihal, who are both potential prominent scoring options, while solid floor play and persistent defense are evident qualities from quick and athletic senior Ryan Keenan and hustling junior Nico Sozio.
There are also two experienced senior forwards to rely on for the battles inside with the return of the solid 6-foot-3 tandem of Brad Pankiewicz and Aiden Nienstadt.
“We also had a strong freshmen class last season so we are busy sifting through how members of that group might help us along with other underclassmen,” added Fess. “Overall, we have a hard-working group of kids who love to play the game, and they come ready to compete hard out there each night.
“There are some good teams in the Bloomfield Summer League, including the Bengals with a couple of very talented and experienced junior guards (Sean Perrotta and AJ Cruz), a very big West Side team and Millburn with their outstanding guards (Chace Redler and Chase Plotkin).
“For us, the league is a big help in our development and Mike Passero does an outstanding job putting it all together each summer so we like having the opportunity there.
