Coming off a 7-16 season, the bright side for the JFK boys’ basketball team entering 2023-24 was the return guards Marcus Bullock and Matt Cook.

Bullock averaged a sliver under ten points a game last season – and was the second leading scorer on the team – while Cook saw limited action a year ago but was expected to see much more time.

But those hopes were dashed last week, officially, when both had surgery – Bullock for a knee injury that initially wasn’t thought to be as serious, and Cook for a fractured pinkie he suffered in gym class.

Yes, they’re student athletes, and don’t just get hurt playing their chosen varsity sport.

And so, it’s back to the drawing board somewhat, and next man up for the next four to six weeks in their absence. Because right now, for their opener Friday at Timothy Christian, their active roster will return just 3.6 points per game.

On the bright side, there’s Grant Lorentzen, who at least drilled 12 treys in 15 games last season, to give the Mustangs a fighting chance against the Tigers, in a game you can hear on Central Jersey Sports Radio. Tip-off is set for 5:30, with pregame at 5:15. Mike Pavlichko will call all the action; click here to listen.

Click below to hear JFK coach Sebastian de Voogd talk about the Mustangs’ early season challenges and their opener against Timothy Christian: