Taking a sip of red Gatorade, he watched from the bench as Camden Catholic started to pull away.
When the Irish scored a big basket, he was as enthusiastic as any of the other reserves. When the opponent called a timeout to slow the pace, he jumped to his feet and found himself in the middle of the huddle.
It was another basketball game and there's no place he'd rather be.
Shane Gallagher wants to be on the floor as much as the next guy. He knows how hard it was to become part of this stroried program as a freshman and now, as a senior, his time is coming to an end.
"As a freshman, there were 30 kids that tried out for the team," coach Matt Crawford recalled. "We had to make some cuts and some things happened over the years. He's the only one that made it all four years without leaving the team."
As Camden Catholic put the wraps on another victory, Gallagher never got the chance to take off his warmups. He's played limited minutes this season and estimates he's scored 11 points.
But there he was, congratulating his teammates on another job well done and doing exactly what you'd expect from an upperclassman, a captain.
Gallagher is a program kid, someone who's dedicated to the team concept and puts in the time and effort. It's what he's always done, knowing full well that his opportunities would be limited. Often the only basket he makes on game day comes while going through the pre-game layup line or during halftime.
It's a role many might pass on, but one No. 11 has grown to understand and appreciate even if he rarely gets the chance to dribble the ball or take a shot.
"I love basketball and the teammates around me have been so supportive," Gallagher says. "When I say something, they don't look down at me because they know how much I care.
"My dad instilled in me never to give up and whatever your position is on the team, you're going to contribute. If I don't give 100%, Colin Merriman isn't going to give 100%. I just look at it that it's not about me, it's about the team."
The student body vice president, Gallagher is a leader on and off the court.
Camden Catholic senior Shane Gallagher cheers on his teammates during a recent game.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
"He's a true captain. He wears the band with honor and works hard every day at practice," junior guard Lucas Dunn said. "He pushes myself and Colin, diving for loose balls and stuff.
"He shows Camden Catholic style. It doesn't matter if you play two minutes or 100, everyone plays hard."
Crawford says Gallagher always brings a smile and can be counted on to give everything he's got each and every day.
"His demeanor has never changed," the coach said. "He could have pouted or been negative, but he never has. He has a good foundation at home and has never wavered. He's never asked for anything and we're proud to have him in our program."
While the player who scores the winning basket grabs the headlines, there's something to be said for the guy on the bench who enthusiastically makes his contributions in other ways.
"My freshman coach (Brian O'Donnell) said there would be two seniors left when it came to Senior Night, and there's two seniors on the team," Gallagher said. "I looked around that day and told myself I was going to be one of those two seniors. I've made it all the way to the end.
“I don’t give up. When I see a challenge, I go right at it. I want to play, but I accept my role. I take it as trying to make the starters and other kids off the bench better. That’s what a team is like.”
Kevin Minnick focuses on South Jersey and can be reached at kminnick@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kminnicksports. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.
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