Davison carries PHS into postseason
By: Bob Nuse
The Bobby Davison that has helped the Princeton High boys’ basketball team win eight of nine games prior to Thursday night’s Central Jersey Group III tournament game against Nottingham is a different player than the Bobby Davison who played for the Little Tigers earlier in the season.
"The second half of the season he has taken his game to a whole other level, both on and off the court," Princeton coach Gene Mosley said. "Inside, outside, on the boards. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him and everything we need from him he’s given us.
"He’s shown a willingness to take responsibility and he’s taken the team on his shoulders. He’s put us on his shoulders and carried us at times when we needed it. He’s really shown a lot of maturity."
That maturity has meant improved play from Davison and more wins for the Little Tigers. Over the last four games, the Princeton High senior has averaged over 25 points a game, including 32 in a win over Hopewell that matched his season high.
Bobby Davison is the Gold’s Gym/Princeton Packet Athlete of the Week.
"My shot has really been coming on lately," said Davison, who is in his third year with the Princeton varsity. "I’m getting some great looks at the basket, which has a lot to do with my teammates. With the offense we run, my teammates really help me get open with screens and moving the ball.
"I don’t do anything different. They’ll set me a screen and I’ll be wide open. There is nothing one-on-one, it’s just our motion offense. I’d struggle without the help of my teammates."
Over the second half of the season, Davison and his teammates have been doing just fine. The Little Tigers entered Thursday’s game with five straight wins. Princeton’s success has come about through solid teamwork, and a red-hot scorer in Davison.
"I would not trade him for anyone in the league for what he does for us all-around," said Mosley, whose team took a 16-7 record into Thursday’s game against Nottingham. "He is the complete package for what we need. He does it on both ends of the floor, plus he has become a leader for us."
"I’ve been putting up a bulk of the points, but it’s been the whole team," said Davison, who has scored at least 23 points in each of the Little Tigers’ last four games. "Mark (Rosenthal) has been handling the ball better than he ever has before. Buddy (Thomas) is scoring eight to 10 points a game and grabbing boards like crazy. Jon (Trapasso) has been great handling the ball and doing his thing. And Jake (Uitti) has been playing great.
"Plus, the guys we have coming off the bench, Tony (Cipriano), Noah (Savage) and Bill (Freeman) have been doing a great job."
But the leader has been Davison, who has taken his game to a whole other level over the course of this season.
"He’s been playing fantastic basketball," Mosley said. "I can’t say enough about what he’s done for us. I’ve been so impressed by his maturity. He’s meant a lot to this team."
Next year, Davison will mean a lot to some college program somewhere, although he’s undecided about where that might be.
"I know I can play somewhere," Davison said. "It’s just a matter of seeing the schools and getting a feel of where I belong. After the season is over I’ll start to look at that more. It’s tough during the season when you have school, then practice for two hours and then have to talk to coaches and fill out applications."
For Davison that should be a piece of cake after all he’s been able to accomplish this basketball season.