Balanced North opens hoops season with win

Knight boys hope to build on start

By: Bob Nuse
   Eric Becker likes the balance on his West Windsor-Plainsboro High North boys’ basketball team this year.
   In the Knights’ opener on Friday, that faith was rewarded.
   WW-P North had four players score in double figures and used a strong defensive effort to top Hopewell Valley, 64-49. Conor Hayes led the way with 22 points, while John Byrnes chipped in with 16 and Jerome Leslie and Brian Smith added 11 apiece.
   "We had nice balance by everybody," said Becker, whose team was scheduled to host Howell on Monday night and will play at Hightstown tonight. "Even the guys who didn’t score, they had big games for us. Corey Collins didn’t score a point, but he played a great floor game. He rebounded and moved the ball on offense.
   "I was pleased with the whole performance of the team. We played with a lot of energy. We started off getting down, 6-1, but by the end of the first quarter we were up, 18-8. Brian Smith got us going with a few three-pointers in the first half."
   Becker likes the idea of having a team that is so balanced this year. At any time, different players are capable of stepping up and taking charge in the game.
   "Our four captains, Conor Hayes, John Byrnes, Brian Smith and Corey Collins, at some point each guy took control in the game," Becker said. "You have to like when you see that happen. It takes the pressure off the other guys. Conor Hayes had 18 points in the second half, but I thought his first half was great even though he only scored four points.
   "He played defense like you wouldn’t believe. He moved the ball on offense well. The same thing with Brian. I’m just real pleased with our depth this year. We ran guys in and out and everybody contributed."
   Becker knows that for the Knights to be successful this year, that’s the type of team they’ll need to be.
   "We have a good defensive team this year," Becker said. "We’re not that big, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be physical at the guards and in the front court. That’s what I’ve been trying to preach to the guys. Jerome Leslie did a nice job rebounding the ball and kicking it out for second and third possessions. Alex Crawford came off the bench and did a nice job.
   "The whole team played well as a unit, which is good. It was a nice game, but it’s only one game. I think the kids know that and will keep it in perspective."
   Of the three other Packet-area public school teams, only one emerged with a win in its opener on Friday. Montgomery gave first-year coach Kris Grundy a win as the Cougars topped Voorhees, 44-34. Chris Fischer had 20 points and Chris Rogers added 11 for the Cougars, who rallied after falling behind by eight at the end of the first quarter. The Cougars are at Ridge tonight and Hopewell Valley on Thursday.
   Princeton dropped a 63-46 decision at Hamilton in its opener. Marc Andre scored 12 points to lead the Little Tigers on offense. Will Rogers, Clinton Winder, Casey Huckel and Ben Guervil scored eight points apiece. The Little Tigers will host Trenton today at 4 p.m.
   WW-P South lost its opener under first-year coach Bob Schurtz, 63-37, to Ewing. The Pirates led, 14-11, after the first quarter before Ewing outscored them 37-9 over the next two quarters. Matt Howell led South with 15 points. The Pirates will play at Nottingham tonight.