HHS boys put in extra time on basketball court

Team camps, clinics, pickup games provide opportunities

By: Rudy Brandl
   Hillsborough High boys’ basketball coach Ian Progin wants to make sure his players receive enough chances to improve their game before the next scholastic season begins in December. That’s why he’s providing ample opportunities for them to participate in team camps, individual improvement sessions and scrimmage games.
   The Raiders graduated most of their starting five and the core of their varsity team, leaving many younger guys to fill Progin’s roster for the 2007-2008 campaign. The summer has given this group of future varsity players a chance to gel as a unit and impress the head coach. So far, the participation and effort have been excellent.
   "It’s my responsibility as a coach to provide the players with opportunities over the summer," Progin said. "It’s the responsibility of the players to work on their game to help themselves become the best players they can be. We just want to get them to play as much basketball as possible. Things are open to everyone."
   Incoming HHS senior Steve Westphal, who showed flashes of brilliance last winter but will need to emerge as a consistent floor leader, understands the importance of working hard in the off-season.
   "It’s tough losing all those seniors, but the young kids are playing well and stepping up," Westphal said. "We have a young team and it’s definitely a work in progress. We are coming together as a team. Most of the team doesn’t have varsity experience, but everyone is working hard to find a spot."
   Hillsborough opened its summer at the Linden Team Camp from June 11-14. After a shaky start, the HHS boys recovered to finish 2-5. They didn’t play well on opening night vs. Bridgewater-Raritan and Watchung Hills but hung tough with the rest of the top-notch competition that included Plainfield, Colonia, South Brunswick and Linden.
   Five returning varsity players led the way at Linden, but Progin included players from last year’s jayvee and freshman teams. Westphal, incoming juniors Jason Smartt and Dennis McGill and rising sophomores Kyle Banfield and Frank Mitchell mixed with the sub-varsity guys for the first time in a competitive game. The Raiders took a little time to get organized but eventually played good ball.
   "We played everyone pretty much equal after the first night," Progin said. "We had a very large mix of guys and overall, it was very good for us. It was the first time this group played together. We got a chance to play seven games right off the bat against very good competition."
   The HHS boys attended the Rutgers Team Camp from June 24-28 and posted a very respectable 6-4 record. Progin was proud of the team’s victories against Edison Job Corps and Northern Burlington. The Raiders also beat Dunellen, St. Mary’s and two Piscataway teams. All games were played at the Rutgers Athletic Center. Mike Banaciski and E.J. Williams joined the varsity roster at Rutgers.
   Hillsborough’s victory over Northern Burlington was the most exciting of the summer. The Raiders trailed by two points with four seconds left but executed a play to send the game into overtime. Banfield hit Westphal with a touchdown pass nearly the length of the court and Westphal tossed it in at the buzzer. Hillsborough won the game in overtime.
   "I have to compliment the guys on how they’ve executed what I’ve drawn up during time-outs or coming out of breaks," Progin said. "It’s worked the majority of the time. They’ve been very coachable."
   Hillsborough also fielded a jayvee team in the Rutgers Camp. While these guys didn’t win many games, they benefited from facing better competition. Progin was proud of how the younger group battled against a field of varsity teams. He also enjoyed being back in the arena where he played as a walk-on at Rutgers. Head coach Fred Hill and assistant Jimmy Carr, who is bringing a Scarlet Knights player to the HHS Offensive Skills Camp in August, have been very supportive.
   "Fred and his staff do a great job reaching out to alumni," Progin said. "They’ve been great. I really like what Fred’s doing. It’s been great to reconnect with Rutgers."
   Progin will be taking a group of HHS boys back to Rutgers for another team camp July 27-29. They’ll play six or seven games over the weekend, which will run the summer total to around 24 games. He’s also looking to schedule scrimmages vs. Hunterdon Central, Middlesex and Mendham.
   Last summer, the HHS boys enjoyed a successful run in the competitive Plainfield League, which folded just before this season. At first, Progin was concerned that his team would suffer from not playing games on a regular basis. Then he took steps to make sure his guys were getting better without a regular slate of games. The combination of team camps, clinics and individual improvement sessions at HHS have given the players plenty reasons to pick up a basketball.
   "I’m really enjoying this format," Progin said. "It’s given me a chance to work with the players 1-on-1 and see where we need to improve. Doing skill and drill things will help guys get better at their weaknesses."
   In addition to the team camps and all the games they’ve provided, the Raiders also play organized pickup games on Sunday nights at Ann Van Middlesworth Park. Former HHS stars like Mike Malko and Jon Leonard are among those providing tough competition for the current varsity players. Progin also mixes it up with players of the past and present on the AVM courts.
   "It’s good for them to go against older guys who are a little bigger and more physical," Progin said. "The coaches and alumni playing with the current players in the program has been good for camaraderie. It helps everyone get to know each other better."
   "Playing against those guys who were varsity players is a great experience," Westphal said. "We’re not going to see a guy like Malko in the conference."
   The HHS players will continue their summer program well into August. After this weekend’s team camp at Rutgers, several youngsters will participate in the Offensive Skills Camp July 30-Aug. 2 and the Shooting School Aug. 6-7. Some players, including many younger boys, will attend the D’Em-Up Clinic in August. The pickup games and individual improvement sessions will continue.
   "I just want to open up the gym and give people opportunities," Progin said. "When the summer’s over, I want them to have played a lot of basketball in different forms."