Name On The Court A Fitting Tribute To Nastase

Bob Nastase loved being in a gym coaching and teaching basketball.  Like many great coaches he liked practices more than games because that was his domain.  I’m not sure all his former players have wonderful memories of his legendary and long practice sessions where he would run plays and situations time and time again.  For him being on the court for 3 or 4 hours teaching was about as good as it gets and that work ethic transferred to game nights where his teams were very successful.

Nastase, who died last March in Charlotte, North Carolina at the age of 86, is best remembered for his 13 years at Lakewood High School starting in 1965.  He coached the Piners to memorable Group 3 state championships in 1967 & 1975, two other state sectional titles and 13 consecutive Shore Conference division crowns.

Nastase who continued a long coaching resume after leaving Lakewood including two stints at Toms River North, has certainly not been forgotten by the Piner faithful.  This Friday before their game with Keansburg the basketball court will be dedicated to Nastase.  There is somewhat of an irony in that the gym itself is now named after John “Pott” Richardson who was a captain on the 1967 championship team, later coached with Bob and would go on to have great success as Lakewood’s head coach for many years.  Now the two all-time greats will be linked together in a place that was magical on many games nights over the years.

The dedication ceremony will take place at 5:15 Friday and before that from 3:30-4:30 there will be an alumni social hour in the gym. Bob's wife Aggie and his five children will all be in attendance.