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Sports

Patch Coach of the Year: Bill Librera

Madison basketball coach made all the right moves, connections with players, on the way to state semi-finals.

During an early season practice in December, Madison High School boys basketball head coach Bill Librera spoke about the upcoming season as he watched his senior heavy team run up and down the court.

While anyone familiar with hoops knew heading into the season that this Dodger team was special (they returned four starters from a 2010 season that saw Madison go 21-4), Librera didn’t want to talk about success, but rather improvement saying, "we just want to get better and better and better."

And with the Dodgers’ previous success and returning lettermen creating lofty expectations for 2011, Librera’s mindset never wavered, and the Madison head coach decided that a tougher regular season schedule would be the best way to get better.

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While the Dodgers 17-8 year end record may not appear to be an improvement from 2010, the increase in competition helped the Dodgers when it mattered most.

Not only did Madison win the Oratory Prep Booster Club Christmas Tournament in December, but they made an impressive run to the state sectional semifinals, losing by just one point to Ridgefield Park High.

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Librera’s 2011 success as Madison head coach has helped him win honors as Madison Patch's Winter Coach of the Year.

Energetic and fiery pacing in front of the Dodger bench, the fourth year Madison head coach resembles the product that he expects to see on the court, as he is rarely standing still and always passionate.

The passion and desire help Librera get the most out of his team day in and day out. And while he would more than likely defer any and all success to his players and assistant coaches, these traits are what really make the Dodger leader a special coach.

Librera expects the best out of his players, and his boys responded all season long, coming back from numerous first half deficits to earn wins, most recently as they overcame what appeared to be an insurmountable 22-9 halftime deficit to Newark Tech in the state sectional quarterfinals.

After a win, the players’ respect for their coach would always shine, as they regularly refereed to Librera’s pregame or halftime speeches helping to fuel them. And after a loss, many would share their regrets for not winning for Librera.

“I really wanted that one,” senior point guard Aaron Fant said after Madison’s season ending loss to Ridgefield Park. “For the school, the community and especially for coach. He’s been a really great coach the past four years.”

But Librera’s focus isn’t limited to success on the hardwood, as he works to help his players better themselves as men by preaching leadership and community awareness.

“We represent the community that we play for,” Librera said. “I grew up in a time when high school athletes were town leaders and role models and we strive for that.”

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