By Kyle Moylan, Sports Editor
Whether they are measured by a ruler or expectations, this should be a big year for the members of the New Egypt High School boys’ basketball team.
New Egypt made the state playoffs in 2005-2006, but a loss to Holy Cross on the cutoff date last season kept the Warriors out. Now it falls upon Jay Corby, entering his seventh year as coach, to keep New Egypt healthy and standing tall.
”There are times we can go with two 6’ 8” guys,” Corby noted. “We are pretty lucky to have a couple of 6’ 8” guys on a Group One team.”
The two 6’ 8” players are Kevin Janowski, a junior, and Desmond Hubert, a freshman. Janowski averaged 12 points and nine rebounds a game last year as the team’s starting center.
Hubert is recuperating from an injury. His return should be sooner than later and Corby is excited to see what this pair can do individually and as a duo.
Dakota Havens, a 6’ 3” junior, averaged five points and five rebounds a game. According to Corby, he’s the team’s best rebounder and can play any position on the floor.
Davion Clanton, a senior, is the team’s point guard. The only problem is he broke his wrist during the football season and doesn’t figure to be cleared to play until sometime in January. Fortunately, Ron Tortoriello, a junior, is available to fill in at point guard.
”When Davion Clanton comes back, (Tortoriello) will move to the two guard,” Corby said. “He (Tortoriello is a good shooter.”
While not a starter last season, Dylan Rowley did get a lot of playing time. The senior will start this season at forward. He is an excellent defender.
Rowley, Tortoriello and Cody Shields all got to start a little at the end of the season after New Egypt had been eliminated from playoff contention. Shields, a junior that plays forward, is a very good defender.
”We’re young, but we still have a lot of experience,” Corby noted. “That’s a real positive.”
New Egypt also has Dan Leutwyler, a senior guard, who should see a lot of playing time.
Gone are Josh Howard, Rick Mackesy and Steve Panasuk, who all graduated. That trio helped build New Egypt basketball. The players left behind will continue to progress the program.
The key early in the season is to work around the injuries and not to get the season off to a bad start. This is especially true because New Egypt plays in a very difficult Freedom Division with Burlington City, Florence, Riverside, Palmyra and Maple Shade. New Egypt has had success against Maple Shade, but only has one total win against the other four teams combined in the history of the program.
”We just have to figure out a way to get all of our hurt guys back and find playing time for everyone,” Corby said.
”We hustle, are physical and a good rebounding team. We lack a little consistency on offense. If we can get that, we’ll be okay.”
New Egypt is scheduled to open the season at Florence on Friday at 6:15 p.m. On Monday, New Egypt will play at East Brunswick Vo-Tech in a 5:15 p.m. start. Its home opener will be 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20 against Maple Shade.
Once again, New Egypt will host a holiday tournament on Dec. 27 and 29. Keyport will face Lindenwold and New Egypt will face off against St. Mary in the openers on Dec. 27. The consolation and championship games will be played on Dec. 29.

