BOYS BASKETBALL
By: John E. Powers
Things are working as planned for the Hopewell Valley High School boy’s basketball team. The Bulldogs are pressing, trapping, hustling and winning.
The Bulldogs, who play host to first-year program Robbinsville Friday night, will enter the game with a 2-1 record after Tuesday night’s thrilling 47-45 comeback win at Steinert.
Mike Valcarel hit two late three-pointers and Brian Skevington had a game-high 17 points as the Bulldogs outscored Steinert 17-8 in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs trailed by seven after three.
"It was our defense that won it for us," Hopewell coach Tony Mormile said. "Steinert had a hard time playing with the league because we were in our trap. They wanted to be patient and we were aggressive. We forced five turnovers in the fourth quarter and we scored a lot of baskets off turnovers."
The Bulldogs learned something from a wild trip to Hunterdon County Saturday afternoon where they lost to Delaware Valley 65-53. Delaware Valley converted 30 of 36 free throws.
"I told my assistant coach on the bus ride home (from Steinert) that Saturday was a tough loss, but we probably wouldn’t have been tough enough to win at Steinert if we hadn’t experienced that on Saturday," Mormile said. "We learned a lesson. We did a much better job (Tuesday) with the trap. This time we played much smarter. That was the emphasis in practice Monday. You have somebody in a trap, don’t reach in, let them lob the ball and we’ll pick it off."
Skevington had a game-high 19 points Saturday, while Valcarel netted 16. Hopewell Valley made seven free throws.
Hopewell Valley had a three point lead early in the third period, but Delaware Valley had a big advantage in that the Terriers were already in the bonus spot in fouls.
"It was because of our pressing and trapping all over the court, but we were doing too much hand checking," Mormile said.
Mormile had to take Skevington out of the game midway through the second quarter because of foul trouble.
"I told the kids that I was happy with their effort," Mormile said. "They did everything we told them to do. But we have to adjust with the way the game is officiated. If we achieve our goal of making the states, we might play at a place where the officiating is different. Saturday’s game was a good lesson for it. We have to adjust to how a game is called; we can’t expect the refs to adjust to us."
The Bulldogs opened the season Friday night with a 47-32 home win over West Windsor-Plainsboro North. Skevington led the way with 21 points and Valcarel had 12. Hopewell had a 17-5 lead after one period.
"We caught them at the right time," Mormile said. "They are much bigger and athletic. We just did a great job in our half-court trap and kept them off balance. We must have forced 22 turnovers through the third period. We might have forced 30 for the game."
The Bulldogs will host the annual Molinelli Holiday Tournament next week. The Bulldogs play Pennington at 6 p.m. Wednesday. That game follows the 4 p.m. Lawrence-Hillsborough game. The consolation game is Thursday at 2 p.m. followed by the final at 6 p.m.

