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The student news site of Colonia High School

The Declaration

The student news site of Colonia High School

The Declaration

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Spotlight on new Basketball head coach Jose Rodriguez

New to CHS, Jose Rodriguez takes the helm of the boys basketball team.
Photo Credit: Sasha
New to CHS, Jose Rodriguez takes the helm of the boys’ basketball team.

Since former boys’ basketball coach Brandon Hall is an assistant coach at Seton Hall, Coach Jose Rodriguez stepped in as Colonia High School’s new head coach for the boys’ basketball team.

There are so many different things that led him to take on the role as the new head basketball coach. To start, he is very familiar with Colonia High School and its reputable tradition since he’s from around the area. Knowing people from the community, he felt comfortable.

Rodriguez previously was the head coach at Plainfield for the past two years. According to My Central New Jersey, Rodriguez started his coaching career as an assistant basketball coach at Cateret and worked his way up to the head coaching position. Later, he became the head assistant boys’ basketball coach at St. Joe’s in Metuchen under Dave Turco.

So far he enjoys coaching. “It’s been a pleasure to coach these dedicated athletes.”

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Many believe that he has expectations to live up to from past seasons, but he wants to set his own and have a successful season. Last season the Patriots had a record of 17-10, went on to the Greater Middlesex Conference finals at the RAC and advanced to the NJSIAA North 2 Group III semifinals.

When asked how he felt towards this year’s group, Rodriguez said, “we have a really nice and unique group of kids, especially the seniors.” This years group of seniors are expected to show leadership qualities for the underclassmen.

With this year’s season approaching, Rodriguez  has been training the athletes and pushing them to do their best. Freshman Matthew Scherb said, “He pushes me to do better.”  Other students have also said that he has been pushing them to exceed their limits to help form them into the basketball players they wish to be.

After facing the defeating loss and falling short last year of a title, it was a definite confidence destroyer. Making it to states last season adds more pressure to the new coach and players. This year’s seniors are sure to try their hardest and accomplish what they couldn’t last year. Senior Tommy Mitch said, “this seasons goals are to win county championship and make it to states.”

A common goal this year for members of the basketball team is to win the state championship. The Patriots open their season on December 14 against Scotch Plains-Fanwood at 7 P.M.

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About the Contributor
Sasha Chiriboga, Reporter
Sasha Chiriboga is a 16 year old Junior who currently attends Colonia High School. Chiriboga plays volleyball for her high school team. Outside of school Chiriboga also dances and plays for a volleyball club team. She has three sisters, one of them just graduated from Colonia High School and the other two attend Pennsylvania Avenue School 27. Chiriboga loves to travel and has visited 7 different countries, having gone to some more than once. Some of her hobbies including reading, painting, and listening to music. In school, Chiriboga looks forward to going to English and History since they are her favorite subjects and finds them very interesting. In the future she hopes to attend the School of Professional and Extended Studies at American University in Washington, D.C.

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The student news site of Colonia High School
Spotlight on new Basketball head coach Jose Rodriguez