HHS boys’ basketball off to 2-0 start

By: Sean Moylan
   There’s no secret as to why the Hightstown High boys’ varsity basketball team won its first two games versus two solid opponents in Nottingham and West Windsor-Plainsboro North.
   It took defense, teamwork and makes from the free throw line. In fact, the Rams made 18-of-21 foul shots in both contests, which is over 85 percent. Most NBA teams would be ecstatic with those kind of numbers.
   The big win came in Friday night’s opener at Nottingham, when the Rams defeated the heavily-favored Northstars by a 51-43 score.
   "They (the Northstars) were picked by the papers to be one of the best teams in Mercer County," added Don Hess, Hightstown’s great longtime head coach. "We started out that game by missing our first 12 shots."
   The Northstars weren’t doing anything particularly special on the defensive end. Hightstown’s shots just weren’t falling. However, the Rams were so good on defensive end, they held the Northstars to just 5 first-quarter points and actually took a 1-point lead into the second quarter and the game was tied 16-16 at the half.
   Meanwhile Hightstown point guard Mike Williston was controlling the flow of the game and making good decisions on the floor. He also was hitting his shots and by the end of game he recorded a game-high 16 points.
   "Williston has been playing well, but we’re playing well as a team," Hess said. "We’re doing the right things and moving the basketball."
   Tim Lawson (12 points), Cory Smith (8 points) and Bryan Mino Worth (6 points) also had strong games for the Rams while Bobby Doughery canned Hightstown’s only three on his way to scoring 5 points and Terrell Choice netted 4 points.
   But on Hightstown one usually earns one’s playing time on the defensive end of the floor.
   "Kevin Sobkowiak added some very valuable minutes and he took a charge," said Hess, who was also pleased to see Lawson draw an offensive foul.
   Against Nottingham, Hightstown was able to stay in a zone defense the entire game because it was working.
   Still, Hightstown led by just a point going into the final quarter, but it showed poise down the stretch and was able to win the game at the line.
   "When you play basketball, it comes down to making foul shots," Hess remarked.
   Hightstown’s 60-40 road win over West Windsor-Plainsboro North this past Tuesday night was an entirely different type of game.
   "We got off to a good start and we led 17-8 after the first quarter (and we went from there)," said Hess. "Two kids had outstanding games. Michael Williston had 15 points and 10 assists and Bryan Worth ended up with 14 points and 18 rebounds."
   Off the top of his head, Hess couldn’t remember anyone ever having as many rebounds in a single contest, and 14 of Worth’s boards came on the defensive end of the court, where the Rams held West Windsor-Plainsboro North to just 14 first-half points while scoring 30 of their own.
   "Our defense is not too bad," added Hess.
   Hess also got a very good effort out of Smith, who netted 12 points in the contest. Smith went a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line. Lawson scored 7 points while Doughery and Sobkowiak each netted 4 points and Jason Brown had a field goal for the winning side. Williston, Worth, Smith and Lawson have been unbelievable but Hess is looking for at least one more guy to step up because Hightstown has a tough schedule ahead of it and most of its games will be on the road.
   "We’re winning because we’re not turning the ball over," noted Hess, whose club gave the ball away just 11 times versus Nottingham and posted similar numbers against West Windsor-Plainsboro North. Hess would love for that trend to continue.
   Hightstown (2-0) is scheduled to host Steinert today (Friday). It is scheduled to compete in a Holiday Tournament at Pitman next Wednesday and Thursday.