MHS defeats Bound Brook for third time this season
By: Shawn Tyrrell
It wasn’t easy, but the Manville High boys’ basketball team did what was necessary to come away with a decisive 63-45 victory over rival Bound Brook in the opening round of the Somerset County Tournament on Monday night in Manville.
Going into this game, few expected the Mustangs to have any trouble gaining their straight win over the Crusaders this season. After all, Manville had already defeated Bound Brook by scores of 64-35 and 60-32. Just two weeks ago, the Mustangs roared out to a 29-1 lead en route to that second victory.
But the third time around was a whole different ball game. The Crusaders have been playing more competitive ball of late and despite the team’s 2-12 record, Bound Brook was looking for the upset. Manville managed to control the action with a few big surges and advanced to the second round of the tournament.
"Of course, I am pleased to get a win," MHS first-year head coach Larry Blasi said afterward. "Bound Brook was prepared and the team came ready to play. Basketball is a game of runs and tonight our runs were more consistent. When we ran our offense the way we were supposed to we had good success."
The Mustangs jumping out to a 10-4 advantage early in the first period. Chris Wass got the home team on the board first when he drove the lane and scored. After a turnover by Bound Brook, Brian Teryek hit consecutive 3-pointers and Mark Maychrich banked one home on a nice pass from Joe Adamcik for the six-point lead. The lead grew to nine points at the end of the first quarter as baskets by Teryek, Maychrich and junior guard Eddie Gryzeski gave the Mustangs what seemed to be a comfortable lead.
MHS kept up the pressure in the second period and after a tip-in by Maychrich, another two minutes went by before another point was scored as neither team shot particularly well in the quarter. Five missed shots and a traveling violation later, the next basket was scored by MHS sophomore Brian Hahn, who nailed a three to make it 21-8 in favor of Manville.
The Crusaders did make a run, cutting the lead to 25-18 with 3:40 to go. Bound Brook center Osario Sabis, who had 11 points on the night, converted two tough baskets inside. But the Mustangs seemed unfazed and went on a 7-2 run to close out the half as Maychrich hit on consecutive baskets on a tip-in and another off a nice pass from Adamcik underneath. Over the final two and half minutes, the Manville defense forced four steals and owned a 32-20 advantage at the intermission.
The third period saw the Mustangs take control of the game. Everyone on the team contributed, whether it was a rebound, a blocked shot or an unselfish pass. After a Crusader miss early in the period, Teryek drained yet another 3-point shot, his third on the night, and by the end of the quarter it was pretty much over as the MHS had a commanding 53-27 lead.
Teryek has been Manville’s most consistent shooter all season, averaging close to 16 points per game. The senior forward, who finished the evening with 14 points, gave credit to Bound Brook for the team’s effort.
"They played real well and their press did a good job against us," Teryek said. "They surprised us a bit by how well they played and it caught us off guard. But we regrouped and had some really good ball movement during the course of the night. When we ran our offense, we were very successful."
Playing a team like Bound Brook three times in a season can have its disadvantages. Add to that the fact that the Manville players were already under pressure with midterms going on. Blasi was obviously not happy facing the Crusaders again under these circumstances.
"In all the years I have been coaching I hate playing games during exam week," Blasi said. "I have never had good success and I am afraid of games like this because the players are not especially focused our opponent."
It was a good way for Manville to start off the tournament. Of course, the road gets tougher as the Mustangs travel down Route 206 to take on Montgomery in next Monday night’s second round. Can the Mustangs win?
"If we play like we a team and stay focused we can give them a run for their money," Teryek said.

