Hahn plays well in two losses
By: Shawn Tyrrell
Prior to the start of the 2004-05 boys’ basketball season, the Manville High Mustangs knew it would be somewhat of a challenge to have a .500 record or better.
Seven games in and MHS boys have struggled to play four quarters of solid basketball in any of their games. So far the young Mustangs have only been able to string together a half here and there, making the chances for victory a bit challenging. Last week against the likes of Roselle Park and David Brearley, Manville demonstrated again why it hasn’t been able to win a game this season.
Against Roselle Park, the Mustangs tallied six and five points in the first two quarters, while the Panthers managed 37 total. The second half was a different story, but when MHS outscored Roselle Park 45-34, it was too late to make a difference in a 71-56 defeat.
"We played our worst half of the season," Manville head coach Larry Blasi said. "We couldn’t put the ball in the hoop, and had a hard time rebounding. Every time they missed, they (Roselle Park) got two and three chances."
While the Mustangs did struggle in the first half, Blasi was happy with what he saw in the second. It’s more of what he expects his team to do.
"By coming back in the second half we showed everyone we are capable of doing some things," Blasi said. "At one point in the game we were down by 30 points, and despite the Panther lead we were able to rally and cut it to nine. In the end we just ran out of gas."
MHS got a big game from Brian Hahn, who continued to play well on both sides of the court. The senior guard tallied 21 points and added five steals and four rebounds to lead the Mustangs in defeat. Hahn also nailed four of the team’s nine 3-pointers. Manville also got solid contributions from sophomore Rob Wood and Kyle Sopko, who added 12 and eight points, respectively. Wood and Sopko each drained a pair of threes.
Against Brearley it was very much the same story as the Bears used their height advantage and pulled away in the second half. MHS played the Bears even at 17-17 in the first period and trailed by only seven points at the half.
"We played well in the first half," Blasi said. "They were a physical team that got a lot of second and third shots because of their height advantage. It seems everyone in the league is taller than us. We just have to continue to work hard and do the things we need in order to get better."
Hahn led the way again with 16 points, while Sopko and Mike Knitowski hit a pair of threes and joined him in double figures with 10 points apiece.
Blasi continues to work his young Mustangs hard and can only hope they mature and can get better as the season moves on. Without a doubt the effort is there, but when a young team goes up against a senior-dominated squad the results will be similar to what has occurred so far.
The Mustangs were scheduled to host Union Catholic and then play a big game on the road tonight at Bound Brook. Manville has talent the team just needs to put it together and play a complete game.

