Bulldogs show maturity against Allentown

Boys basketball

By: Mike Molaro
   How far has the Hopewell Valley Central High School boys basketball squad come this season?
   Bulldogs coach Tony Mormile feels the outcome of Tuesday’s exciting 35-33 buzzer-beating triumph at Allentown might have been different a few games ago.
   "We may not have won this game earlier in the season," Mormile said. "This team has improved a great deal from day one, both physically in the way we play and mentally in how we play."
   In taking its third straight game, HoVal (7-3 overall and 5-2 in the Colonial Valley Conference) again proved it has what it takes to win the close ones and emphasized the fact it is going to be a factor in the Colonial Valley Conference Valley Division race.
   After the Redbirds tied the score at 33-33 with 18 seconds remaining in regulation, the Bulldogs called a timeout. The play was drawn up for sophomore guard Jeff Molinelli to take the ball to the basket.
   "I felt real good about our chances after looking at the guys during the timeout and seeing the look in their eyes," Mormile said. "I knew we were going to win this game.
   "We designed the play for Jeff (Molinelli) because we knew they were keying on Brett (Reese). It was set up to go against a specific Allentown defense. When they came out in a different defensive scheme, we decided to keep the play."
   Molinelli caught the ball with four seconds remaining, checked the clock to see how much time was left and made the lay-up right before the final buzzer sounded.
   "Allentown controlled the tempo in this game," Mormile said. "We couldn’t finish our plays. We tried to break it open, but Allentown wouldn’t let us."
   With the Redbirds keying on Reese and holding the senior forward to 11 points (well under his CVC-leading 23.2 average), Molinelli (10 points and eight rebounds), sophomore center Brendan Rutledge (nine points, 11 rebounds and three blocks) and senior guard Jeff DiNatale stepped up for HoVal, which led 17-12 at halftime.
   "Jeff (Molinelli) did a tremendous job on (senior point guard) Ron Gonzales," Mormile said. "He (Gonzales) came into the game averaging 16 points, and Jeff held him to four. That definitely was one of the keys to our winning this game."
   Reese exploded for 25 points last Friday, including 14 in the fourth quarter, to lead HoVal to a 51-47 home victory over Steinert. Molinelli added 18 for the Bulldogs, who overcame a 23-21 halftime deficit.
   "We played tough defense throughout the game," Mormile said. "(Junior forward) Keith Balerno held Anthony DaBronzo to 14 points and (senior guard) Chris Borkowski did a great job on their point guard, Brian Chester. That stopped Steinert from running its offense. Jeff (Molinelli) also played good defense. Our goal was to shut down their top three scorers, and we did that.
   "Brett (Reese) hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter. A couple of them were from about 24 feet out."
   The Bulldogs have taken the mental aspect of their game to a new level, and Mormile has enjoyed watching the maturation process.
   "We are doing a nice job of executing down the stretch," Mormile said. "We are playing together as a team. Our confidence is growing as a team. Everyone believes in each other, and people are stepping up when needed.
   "Against Allentown, they were keying on Brett (Reese), and Jeff (Molinelli) and Brendan (Rutledge) were there. That might not have happened earlier in the season. This team has come along nicely."
   Although they’ve had the luxury of playing most of their games at home, HoVal must prove it can win on the road.
   "Beginning with Allentown, we play eight of our next 10 games on the road," Mormile said. "We benefited from being at home. Now we have to play on the road. We did a nice job against Allentown. We need to build on that and keep it going."
   Note: The Bulldogs visit West Windsor-Plainsboro South Friday and host Ewing next Tuesday.