Team recovers from state elimination
by Rudy Brandl, Sports Editor
The season isn’t over for the Hillsborough High boys’ basketball team.
Although the Raiders just missed qualifying for the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs, they started a new run toward something meaningful with Saturday’s 72-61 triumph over Rutgers Prep in the Somerset County Tournament.
Hillsborough (9-10), which came up one victory short of making the state cut, will challenge Immaculata in Saturday’s county quarterfinals. The HHS boys erased the bad memories of a recent four-game skid that knocked them out of state playoff contention and built a new win streak with home victories over Franklin and Rutgers Prep.
”For these kids to lose four games in a row against one of the toughest stretches of games and respond the way they did, I’m very, very proud,” HHS head coach Ian Progin said afterward. “All of our kids are sticking together and supporting each other. We can still have a very good season.”
That season was hanging in the balance early in Saturday’s game. The Raiders dominated the opening minutes and took a 17-8 lead before Prep roared back with an 11-0 run to go up by two points. Progin called a very effective timeout with 6:44 to play in the first half to remind his boys what was at stake.
”I basically told them that they better wake up right now,” Progin said. “We had to step up and play defense. I was very pleased with the way we closed the first half.”
The Raiders didn’t allow another point for the rest of the half. They weren’t lighting it up at the other end, scoring only eight points to take a 25-19 lead, but the HHS boys really clamped down defensively.
Junior guard Jason Smartt, who led the winners with 21 points, made a huge defensive contribution during the team’s surge to the lead. Smartt covered RPS star Jordan Robinson and held him scoreless for the rest of the half while the Raiders took control.
”He was good, but we knew he couldn’t beat us by himself,” Smartt said. “I tried to slow him down as best I could. I know he’s a great player, but I tried to get him off rhythm.”
Robinson rallied Prep to the lead with an assortment of jumpers and moves. He scored the final seven points of the first quarter and converted a jumper in transition to give the Argnoauts their first lead at 19-17. They didn’t score again until the third minute of the second half, largely due to Smartt’s blanket defensive play.
”Jason did a phenomenal job defensively,” Progin said. “That kid is a one-man show. They don’t run much of an offense, but he’s tough to guard. He’s their guy and he has the green light.”
The Raiders showed great balance in Saturday’s victory. Smartt led the way with 21 points, but he was one of four men in double figures for Hillsborough. Senior power forward Rob Champouillon had his best game of the season with 16 points, all coming in the second half. Sophomore Frank Mitchell and junior Dennis McGill contributed 13 and 12, respectively.
Mitchell nailed three bombs in the first quarter when the Raiders bolted to a big lead. McGill was steady throughout the day, scoring at least two points in every quarter. Champouillon saved his biggest contribution for the end, scoring 11 points in the fourth period.
”Rob did a great job in the second half, particularly finishing,” Progin said. “He finished around the basket. I was very pleased with that.”
Champouillon was happy to help his team move on in the tourney, especially after the Raiders were eliminated from state playoff contention.
”It was rough, but you have to keep playing,” Champouillon said. “We’ve been playing better as a team. We had a tough four losses, but we’re trying to come back.”
The Raiders scored 47 points in the second half, executing in all phases of their offense. They hit some jumpers, scored in transition, converted offensive rebounds and made their free throws. Champouillon and Smartt completed consecutive 3-point plays midway through the third period that elevated the HHS lead to 35-24.
”We just had to calm down and not be so sporadic with the ball,” Smartt said. “We handled their pressure much better (in the second half). We had some more outlet spots and started to execute better.”
Prep didn’t quit but the Raiders clinched the victory by making 11-of-13 free throws in the final five minutes. Smartt made five in a row to lead the way.
”We did what we needed to do to win,” Progin said. “We were able to open it up a little bit and we made our free throws down the stretch.”
The Raiders earned another shot at Immaculata, who swept them in two regular season meetings. Two Spartans killed the Raiders on different nights. Gamal Mohamed scored 24 points in a 60-47 win at Immaculata in December and Jeff Cullinan had 26 in a 57-34 blowout at HHS in January.
”We have to shut down the post,” Progin said. “I have to make a couple of people believe they can shut down the post. The goal is to make the other people beat you.”
”Immaculata is always tough,” Smartt added. “We’re going to have to play defense. It’s special going into a big week. We’re really excited to get another chance to play Immaculata. We’ve got nothing to lose.”