Marc Narducci: McNamara finds his touch

Seneca senior Rich McNamara plays by a simple philosophy that has made him one of the more impressive, if still relatively unsung, players in South Jersey.

"If the shot isn't falling, keep working and maybe that shot will come back," McNamara said after Seneca's basketball team survived a 66-64 overtime win over host Kingsway last night.

No, the shot wasn't falling early, especially when he missed all seven first-quarter shots in the nonleague game, but to Kingsway's chagrin, McNamara found his scoring touch at the most inopportune time for the Dragons.

Entering the fourth period with just eight points, McNamara scored 11 in the quarter and added another six in the extra period as Seneca improved to 2-5. In addition to his 25 points, the 6-foot-3 McNamara added nine rebounds, four assists and three steals.

He is known to most as simply a jump shooter, but his game has become much more diversified, as the box score indicates.

McNamara is able to create his shot off the dribble. He also takes it to the hoop with authority.

"He did what all great players do, which is show up and take over in the fourth quarter," said Kingsway coach George Passante, whose team is now 6-3.

This is the fifth season that Seneca has had a basketball team, and the Golden Eagles are still looking for their first state tournament berth.

Playing in the lion's den known as the Olympic Conference Patriot Division, Seneca has struggled to keep pace with the rugged competition. Still, McNamara has kept plugging, even though he has faced every junk defense imaginable.

"He plays in the toughest league in South Jersey and could start for any team in the Olympic Conference," Seneca coach Eric Wiltsee said. "He means everything to our program."

He is averaging 21 points per game. McNamara thought nothing of hoisting up to 1,000 jumpers a day during the summer, a drill that is almost as tiring as trying to stay with him on the court.

And as well-rounded as his game is becoming, his signature remains that silky smooth jumper. And when the game is on the line, McNamara is the last person an opponent wants to see on the line. He hit all six foul shots last night.

"I just do the same routine every time and try to stay calm," he said.

That wasn't easy last night, especially when Kingsway had a 54-50 lead and the ball with a little over a minute left. The Dragons would commit one turnover, miss the front ends of two one-and-ones, and open the door for the Golden Eagles to get back in the game.

Seneca tied the score at 54-54 with 10 seconds left on James Burgess' driving layup. Kingsway missed at the buzzer and Seneca had a second life, which is one too many to give McNamara.

The senior says he has received mostly Division III interest, and he is looking forward to play in college. Of course, Wiltsee doesn't want to think just yet what life will be like without his star.

"People in South Jersey are missing something if they don't come to see Rich McNamara play," Wiltsee said.

Kingsway's Passante is one person who wishes he missed seeing McNamara perform.

"He's playing at such a high level that people are starting to know him," Passante said.

Then, Passante added, sadly: "We know him now at Kingsway."