Hopewell shows balance in win over PDS

Boys basketball

By: Mike Molaro
   Early in this high school boys basketball season, the key to beating Hopewell Valley Central might have been stopping senior forward Brett Reese.
   Not any more.
   With Princeton Day School putting the clamps on Reese for 13 points Tuesday, nine other Bulldogs hit the scoring column in a solid 60-49 home triumph. Sophomore guard Jeff Molinelli added 10 points, while junior forward Saphish Naadimuthu scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds.
   Sophomore center Brendan Rutledge had a nice all-around game with nine points, seven rebounds, and five blocked shots. Hopewell Valley (4-2 overall, 3-1 in the Colonial Valley Conference) proved it no longer is a one-man scoring show.
   "We got a lot of production from a lot of players," Bulldogs coach Tony Mormile said. "A lot of other guys stepped up and picked up the scoring. Everyone who played had a real productive game."
   Hopewell Valley opened a 33-24 halftime lead over the Panthers, who were led in scoring by junior center Dave Pepperman of Hopewell Township, who had 11 points.
   "This was a good game for us (the Bulldogs)," Mormile said. "PDS is a good team. We found out that other guys can step up and be productive when they take away our first option in Brett Reese."
   Reese hit for a game-high 20 points last Friday as the Bulldogs picked up a clutch road victory, beating Nottingham, 50-37. Molinelli scored 13 points, including a 9-for-9 performance from the free-throw line.
   "We controlled the game from start to finish," Mormile said. "This was a big win for us. Nottingham is usually in the state tournament. This is the first time we’ve beaten them since I’ve been with the program, five-plus years. They usually beat us, and we defeated them on their home court."
   Six games into the season, the Bulldogs look like legitimate contenders for the CVC Valley Division title.
   "I like what I see from this team," Mormile said. "Guys understand their roles. They are working hard in practice and know what they need to do to make us a better team. This is a fun team to coach.
   "We have gotten tremendous leadership from our captains, (seniors) Brett Reese, (center) Jim Gilroy and (guard) Chris Borkowski. They are terrific vocal leaders and also lead by example."
   With their newfound balanced scoring attack complementing a smothering defense, HoVal confidently heads to fabled Tornado Alley on Friday to face Trenton.
   "Trenton is very athletic and very fast," Mormile said. "(Senior center) Eric Smith is a transfer from Franklin and might be the most talented player in the CVC. Playing Pemberton in the Christmas Tournament should help, as they play a similar game to Trenton. It should also take away a lot of the shock value of going to the Alley."
   It wouldn’t shock a lot of people if the Bulldogs come away with a victory.
   Notes: HoVal hosts West Windsor-Plainsboro North on Jan. 14.