That would be the difference as Gloucester Catholic picked up where it ended last season with Friday's 41-39 win over host Penns Grove in a Tri-County Conference Diamond Division game between serious contenders.
It was the opener for both teams, which means Gloucester Catholic enjoys the early upper hand.
Senior guard Robbie Alessandrine had 15 points to lead Gloucester Catholic, but the Monmouth baseball recruit is used to coming up big in crucial situations.
The 6-foot-2 Sacchetti is new to the surroundings, at least on the varsity level. And yet when the game was on the line, he couldn't contain his excitement when his coach asked that simple question in the huddle.
"It pumped me up, and I knew he had confidence in me," Sacchetti said.
So did the rest of the team.
"In that spot, we could have anybody take that shot, and I wouldn't want anybody else," junior center Mike Shawaryn said.
It takes program players to make a program, and in this case, Sacchetti fits the bill. He patiently waited his turn, honed his skills on the junior varsity, and came out firing in Friday's opener.
"Playing JV made me want to work harder," Sacchetti said. "I felt I would have a chance to step up this year."
Gloucester Catholic was 15-13 last year but came on strong at the end, reaching the South Jersey Non-Public B final before losing, 40-38, to Cardinal McCarrick.
It was a team under the radar, because it plays a style that probably earns more Ws than headlines.
The Rams are built on grinders, a team that plays relentless defense, attempts to control tempo, and tries to develop players who can hit big shots in big games as the season goes along.
The defense against Penns Grove was stellar. The Red Devils, who have the potential to make some noise in South Jersey Group 1, were often forced to play a half-court offense.
That the Red Devils were 3 for 12 from the foul line didn't help matters.
