Raiders set to challenge Freehold next
By: Rudy Brandl
The Hillsborough High boys’ basketball team started its second season the same way it opened the first one back in December – with an impressive road victory.
Having lost eight of their last nine games, the Raiders didn’t exactly enter East Brunswick on a hot streak for Monday night’s Central Jersey Group 4 playoff game. But that didn’t stop Hillsborough from extending its season with a 60-50 victory.
"Everybody in the state tournament has a record of 0-0," HHS senior guard Tom Molarz said. "We had to forget about the past. This is the state tournament and we want to make a run."
The Hillsborough seniors played a starring role in Monday night’s victory. Molarz scored 12 points and hit two pivotal 3-pointers, one that started the team’s rally from a slow start in the first quarter and another that put the Raiders ahead to stay midway through the third period.
Fellow senior Pat Fedroff came off the bench to lead Hillsborough with 14 points. Fedroff’s biggest sequence came midway through the fourth quarter when he blocked a shot and hit two free throws at the other end after being hacked. The four-point swing produced a 49-40 lead and the Raiders clinched the victory at the free throw line.
"They’re a resilient group," Raider head coach Ian Progin said. "I’m very proud of the way they played tonight.".
Junior forward Rob Champouillon scored 14 points to lead the Raiders (11-11), who earned the right to challenge top-ranked Freehold Township in Wednesday night’s CJ 4 quarterfinals.
"It’s David vs. Goliath," Progin said. "I’m looking forward to the opportunity. As long as we have a heartbeat, we’re going to keep fighting."
For complete coverage of all the HHS teams in the state playoffs, see Thursday’s Hillsborough Beacon.