New contributor aids WW-P South
By: Bob Nuse
Bob Schurtz had enough key players returning that he felt his West Windsor-Plainsboro South boys’ basketball team would be better this season.
Turns out the Pirates may be even better than Schurtz thought, as he got a great effort out of a newcomer that could help South do big things this year.
Andy McKeever played just three games for the Pirates a year ago, but on Friday night he looked like a seasoned veteran as South opened the season with a 72-65 win at Ewing. The junior guard finished with 13 points and seven steals as the Pirates knocked off what is expected to be one of the top teams in the Colonial Valley Conference this season.
"He did a wonderful job," said Schurtz, whose team will host Nottingham tonight. "He’s been a big surprise for us. It’s not that we didn’t know what he was capable of, but he didn’t even move up to the varsity last year until the last three games of the season. He has come a long way since last year. He makes good decisions with the ball and he’s a good defensive player.
"He’s just one of those kids who does all the little things. In football, as a receiver, he doesn’t get noticed a lot because he doesn’t have a lot of catches. But on those long (Ryan) Lupo runs or one of those J.B. (Fitzgerald) catches, he’s the one who is helping with the blocking. He’s just a real savvy athlete."
After a full season at the JV level last year, McKeever wasn’t sure what his role would be on the varsity this year, especially since the Pirates returned four of their five starters.
"It was a surprise to be starting," McKeever admitted. "But practices had been going well and I felt like I was ready to get in there and do the best I could. Our whole team, we’ve believed in ourselves and we have bought into the program.
"We feel like as long as we play the way we know we can play, we’ll be a better team than we were last year. We’ve got Jordan (Robinson), who is a great point guard. J.B. (Fitzgerald) is a monster on the boards. Our starting five, each person fits into a role. I just do whatever I can do to help the team win. I take a lot of pride in doing the little things."
That was certainly the case against Ewing. Robinson led the way with 26 points, while Jarrett Austin added 19. Fitzgerald got into foul trouble, but the players off the bench came on to pick up the slack.
"It was a great win for us," Schurtz said. "We knew coming in what Ewing had with all of the pre-season hype, and rightfully so because they have a real nice team. We had some problems with J.B. only playing about seven minutes because of foul trouble. But our senior leaders really came through for us. Colin (Dampier) and Dan (Jankoski) came into the game and they were a real calming influence. They did a good job in some pressure situations. Our depth is a great benefit for us."
And the Pirates have that depth because of a summer of hard work to prepare for this season. The entire team is looking to turn around last year’s disappointing 5-17 season.
"Our whole team did a lot over the summer," McKeever said. "We went to a couple camps and played summer league. We probably played 30 games over the summer and I think that really helped us.
"It was a great game to start the season. Everyone was real happy after the game and even the next day in practice. But we also know it’s only one win. We still need a whole bunch more if we are going to make the state tournament. So we have to focus on Nottingham and playing well in our next game."
And McKeever will focus on doing what he can to help the Pirates play well, whether that’s on offense or defense, where he made an impact against Ewing.
"They have a bunch of good shooters, who even with a hand in their face can be tough to stop because they’ll drain a three-point shot on you," McKeever said. "I just wanted to stay in their face and do the best I could."
WW-P South was the only Packet-area public school to win a game over the opening weekend of the season.
Montgomery went on the road to Immaculata and dropped a 52-33 decision. Kevin Tarca led the Cougars with 11 points and Connor Paladino added eight. Montgomery is back in action tonight at Warren Hills.
Princeton played two games over the weekend, coming up short in both. On Friday, Joe Rogers scored 23 points and Ross MacDonald added 20 but it wasn’t enough in a 58-47 loss to Hamilton. The game was the first for the Little Tigers in their new home gym.
Princeton was back in action on Saturday, falling on the road to Schalick, 71-50. Rogers led the Little Tigers with 18 points, while A.J. Dowers chipped in with 16. Princeton will be back in action today at Trenton.
WW-P North opened the season with a 47-32 loss at Hopewell Valley on Friday night. Jerome Leslie and Alex Crawford scored seven points apiece to lead the Knights, who are back in action tonight when they host Hightstown.