Dawgs hope summer sweat pays off

Hopewell Valley boys basketball

By: Mike Molaro
   If the summer competition was any indication, fans can expect good things from the Hopewell Valley Central High School boys basketball squad this season.
   The Bulldogs (12-11 a year ago) open at The Dawg Pound on Dec. 17 against a talented Trenton team. It is the sweat and desire exhibited during the sweltering summer that could pay huge dividends over the next few months.
   "Trenton will be a good test for us," sixth-year HoVal coach Tony Mormile said. "They are better than usual, and they have a player (Nick Wilson) who has already signed with a Division I school (Bowling Green).
   "I’ve seen a lot with this group. We played 33 games this summer. We were in three summer leagues and participated in a camp. We’ve had great leadership and participation from the guys. We wanted to get the focus back on basketball."
   The Bulldog world was rocked last winter with the death of John Molinelli — father of senior guard Jeff Molinelli — who suffered a fatal heart attack during a Central Jersey Group III sectional tournament game against Lawrence.
   Things will never be the same for HoVal, but getting back on the basketball court has been a tremendous blessing.
   "The closeness and camaraderie of the team is a huge plus," Mormile said. "The guys support each other. There are no egos, and they are all humble players.
   "Playing basketball again has been good for all of us. The support of the parents and the community has been phenomenal."
   If tragedy brought this team closer, the mental toughness of the Bulldogs is something no coach can diagram on a chalkboard.
   "I was really impressed with what I saw over the summer," Mormile said. "We competed against teams that are probably better than what we will see this season. We won 21 of those 33 games.
   "A lot of the good from the summer has carried over to the practices and scrimmages."
   The Bulldogs lost forwards Satish Naadimuthu and Keith Balerno and guard Andrew Borden to graduation but return a veteran group ready to make their mark in the Colonial Valley Conference. Twelve of the 16 players are seniors, and HoVal will rely on this veteran leadership.
   Senior captains Brendan Rutledge, a center who added 30 pounds to his frame during the offseason, and Molinelli will start, along with classmates Aksel Gungor, a guard, and forwards Chris Gardner and Dave Coville.
   Other seniors include Andrew Bruno (C/F), Brian Noyes (G/F), guards Rickey Gomez and Brad Bartolino, forwards Odeani McBean and Nick Passanante and center Nick Hogan.
   Juniors who should see key minutes are forwards Kevin Osagie and Matt Lanouette and center Craig O’Shea, a transfer from Pennington who is not eligible until midseason. Sophomore guard Pat Jablonski should be the sixth man and first player off the bench.
   The Bulldogs, who finished a game behind Ewing for the Patriot Division title, are determined not to be denied this year.
   "During our scrimmages, we have shown great team defense and a lot of energy," Mormile said. "A huge plus is that we have been communicating with each other on the court. That is important because communication makes everything else go.
   "We have great balance and ball movement on offense. We have shown great team play."
   HoVal is looking to improve on making the plays during crunch time.
   "We need to focus and be able to win close games," Mormile said. "That was a weakness last year. We have improved on that in the summer and I am confident that will carry over into the season. We need to focus on the little things that can help us win games."
   The Bulldogs right now aren’t concerned about goals. They want to ensure that they are physically and mentally prepared for what they hope is a successful and exciting season.
   "As a coach, you get involved in the Xs and Os in preseason and look at the smaller picture," Mormile said. "We will let the captains (Rutledge and Molinelli) and the team determine our goals. The guys are mature enough to set realistic goals.
   "I’d like for us to make a run at the Patriot Division title and make a run in the county and state tournaments. This team is capable of doing all three."
   Based on what he saw in the summer and the scrimmages and practices, Mormile is on target.