The Wood-Ridge Blue Devils in warm-ups, posed in the school gymnasium

Wood-Ridge, New Jersey · A Documentary Film

The Checkered
Jacket

The story explores the transformation of a defunct 0-34 Wood-Ridge basketball program in 1968 with the worst record in New Jersey that, one decade later, delivered a remarkable 28-1 season, one of the best records in the country along with a State Championship that still stands as the only one in any sport in school history. This small, close-knit community's growing pride and fervent support fueled this team and players to the pinnacle of high school basketball in New Jersey.

Donate NowWatch the Sizzle Reel

0-34

Where the program started in 1968

28-1

The 1979 season

1

State title — the only one in school history

$150K

Needed by September 30, 2026

Where the Legacy Began

The Story

In 1968, in the small town of Wood-Ridge, where basketball had largely faded from relevance, Herb Cohen took over a struggling 0-34 program — the worst record in the state. Through relentless work, conviction, and development of their players, he and assistant coach Ken Schoener rebuilt the basketball program and culture from the ground up.

Ten years later, that once-forgotten team became New Jersey State Champions, capping a 28-1 season and finishing among the best teams in the nation. It remains the only state title in any sport in school history — nearly 50 years later.

The documentary tracks the long climb. The losing years. The first signs of belief. The resurgence of small town community pride and intense excitement rallying behind these players. The gym filling up again. The arrival of the group that becomes the 1979 team. A painful late-season loss that forces them to reset. And finally the run that ends in a championship.

Finally, a closer look at where some of these players are at today to better understand how these important youth experiences have helped to shape their lives.

Wood-Ridge High School basketball team portrait, 1970s
Wood-Ridge, 1970s. One square mile, one high school, one gym.
A Wood-Ridge residential street with the New York City skyline in the distance
Wood-Ridge today — the Manhattan skyline eight miles east.

First Look · 4 Minutes

Watch the Sizzle Reel

The Wood-Ridge Blue Devils in warm-ups, posed in the school gymnasium

The Clock Is Running

Why Now

This story is disappearing in real time. Key people from the Wood-Ridge run are getting older, and some have already passed. Others are sick. Every year more of the firsthand memory goes with them, and this is the last window to capture the story from the people who lived it.

Where Your Donation Goes

01

Production Costs

The final story outline and documentary film title, remaining shoot: interviews, crew, gear, travel, and recreations.

02

Archival Licensing

Rights for the game film, photographs, and newspaper archives that put you back in the '70s.

03

Insurance

Production insurance and the business essentials required to shoot on location.

04

Post-Production

Editing and finishing — color, sound, and score — through the winter premiere.

Wood-Ridge didn't become a champion because of a shortcut. It took years of losing, doubt, discipline, and hard work. For young people growing up in a culture built on shortcuts, instant results, and quick rewards, this is a story about putting in the work effort required, life-long learning and development, and believing in your teammates, teachers, coaches, mentors, and communities for support — it's needed now more than ever!

Beyond the Film

A Partnership with MarbleJam

Producing this documentary also advances the mission of our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor, the MarbleJam Center for Creative Arts & Enrichment — film education, workforce development, and arts-enrichment programs serving autistic, neurodivergent, uniquely abled, and emerging creatives.

MarbleJam's Vision Arts students will be directly involved in planning and executing our next production shoot, collaborating with our film team on set. We're using this partnership to help build their ongoing educational curricula while offering professional film-industry mentoring throughout the process.

Visit MarbleJam.org →
MarbleJam Center for Creative Arts & Enrichment logoA MarbleJam arts student holding a paintbrush and palette beside an easel