After dropping two games, Boys basketball
team clobbers Hunterdon Central, 60-49
By: Kyle Moylan
Although there still is a long time to go before the cutoff date to make the state tournament, Hightstown High boys’ basketball coach Don Hess is very aware that all games count the same.
Hightstown opened the season with a pair of wins, then dropped the next two. The second of those losses came in the opening game of the Tri-County Holiday Tournament and dropped Hightstown into the consolation game in the event.
"That was a big game for us," Hess noted. "We’re trying to keep a cushion above the .500 mark so we can make the playoffs."
Hightstown got back above the .500 mark with a 60-49 win over Hunterdon Central in the consolation game, held last Friday.
This day also happened to be Brett Rodgers birthday. He responded with his best game of the season. Rodgers finished with 13 points, three rebounds and he also took three charges.
"That was his best game by far," Hess noted. "He was five-for-five from the field and three-for-three from the foul line. He’s really lifted his game. He’s been helping us out a lot."
As usual, Andrew Whitmore had a great game. Whitmore recorded 15 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Steven Klose scored 17 points and also added five rebounds, a steal and an assist.
"We’re getting a lot of balance from the kids," Hess noted. "I’ve been playing a lot of kids. I’ve been playing at least nine kids a game, sometimes 10. We’ve been getting contributions from everyone. Even the kids who don’t score come in and play great defense, get an assist here or there. That’s important."
Against Hunterdon Central, Lance Gonzalez recorded three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Nate Kostar came off the bench and recorded five points, two rebounds and two assists. Glenn Sturman also chipped in with some solid play.
Hightstown will need continued great play from everyone on its team this week as it will be playing two very good teams. Hightstown will host Notre Dame at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Hightstown will also be home at 7 p.m. on Tuesday to face West Windsor South. West Windsor South and Notre Dame enter action this week with a combined mark of 8-3.
"The schedule is going to be difficult from here on out," Hess noted. "We have two big games coming up. We have to keep winning if we want to make the state tournament."
And the way to do that at Hightstown or anywhere else is to get as many good players involved as possible.