By: Sean Moylan
After losing an 86-74 home game to a speedy Burlington Township club last Thursday, the Northern Burlington County Regional High School boys’ varsity basketball team had its most productive group of practices of the season.
The most immediate result of those marathon "running" sessions was a glorious 76-71 win at Pemberton on Tuesday evening.
"In Saturday’s practice we put an emphasis on conditioning. I thought it really paid off. Today (Tuesday) we had the fresher legs," said NBC head coach Herman Johnson, who followed Saturday’s workout with a three-hour practice on Monday.
Of course Cedric "The Entertainer" Jackson was NBC’s "main man" with 13 rebounds and 38 big points. And win or lose, he always runs like a deer.
"When these games are in the balance, he (Jackson) takes them over," said Coach Johnson with pure admiration in his voice. "He had 19 in the fourth quarter (30 in the second half)."
NBC had an excellent 24-19 third quarter to get back in the game. Jackson made a key steal late in the quarter to help his team work the score back to 51-51 going into the final period.
In the fourth quarter Cornel Jones (15 points) came up with a critical rebound to help NBC close it out. He also shot a perfect seven-for-seven from the foul line.
"Anthony Barksdale (16 points) played a very good game," Coach Johnson added.
Meanwhile Durrell Whitmore (four points) and Danny Zimplemann (three-for-four from the charity stripe) contributed to the triumph too.
While Coach Johnson credited his club’s defense with the victory, he was pleased with the way it out ran Pemberton in the contest.
Although NBC’s home loss to Burlington Township last Thursday was disappointing, Jackson did deliver with a career high 46-point game.
"Of course he (Jackson) was magnificent. I kid him because he should have had 56," laughed Coach Johnson.
C. Jones had a dozen points in the loss. And some strong efforts by players like Zimplemann (six points), Whitmore (four more) and especially Irving Fryar Jr., kept NBC in the contest.
"We’ve been playing Irving Fryar Jr. and he’s been giving us a lift off the bench," noted Coach Johnson.
"Durrell (Whitmore) does a lot of things that don’t show up in the box score."
NBC (13-6) earned the fourth seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs. "It doesn’t really make a difference if you’re seeded first, second, third or fourth," noted Coach Johnson, whose club will host Freehold Boro on March 4 in a Group III Central Jersey playoff contest.
NBC is scheduled at Holy Cross today (Thursday). NBC is scheduled to compete in the Play by Play Classic on Sunday. On Monday, NBC is scheduled at Florence.
BRHS
Although it’s been a rare, tough year on the court, the Bordentown Regional High School boys’ varsity basketball squad is planning on making its remaining string of games special ones.
The Scotties’ younger players are going to be working for jobs for next season while the veterans will be trying to go out with a bang.
"We’re taking some looks at different people in different positions," said Bordentown head coach Mark Drew, who Scotties dropped a 81-41 home game to a solid Rancocas Valley team last Friday.
In that contest, junior Thomas Knapp, who could already be considered one of the veterans of the club, erupted for 10 points versus Rancocas Valley’s stingy defense.
"Tom Knapp is really coming on strong," noted Coach Drew. "RV is talented!"
Moreover, Bordentown junior Danny Sasso netted a trio of 3-pointers. He’s easily one of Burlington County’s best long-range shooter. "Danny Sassowhen he’s onhe’s amazing," Bordentown’s fine leader commented.
Seniors Tom Gutowski (nine points), Kevin Cumming (two points) and Kamal Patel (two points) also had their moments.
However, Mike Pracko (five points) and James Brotherton (three points) should play major roles in Bordentown’s wave of the future.
"We’re working hard to get better," said Coach Drew, who is more than willing to reward hard-working underclassmen with more playing time.
Bordentown (6-15) is scheduled at Florence today (Thursday) and it is scheduled to host Pemberton on Tuesday.
