Bob Nuse

By: centraljersey.com
Cesar Pereda was looking forward to a challenge in the J. Michael Tucker Tournament at Bordentown.
Pereda’s Florence High boys basketball team got a couple of challenges and emerged with a pair of wins to capture the tournament championship.
The Flashes topped Haddonfield, 68-57, in the championship game of the tournament as Quintin Harris and Manon Desai scored 14 points apiece to pace the scoring. Adam Schmidt added 11. In the opening round, Florence topped Bordentown, 57-24, as Schmidt led the way with 21 points. Harris was named the tournament MVP and Schmidt was also named to the all-tournament team.
"I knew coming into the season we had the players to be a good team," said Pereda, whose team improved to 4-0 by winning the tournament. "I thought Burlington Township was a tough task (in their season opener) and we came out played well against them. I think the kids know that they can compete with most teams.
"We played Haddonfield and they are an experienced team, but we did a nice job against them defensively. I like our experience with three seniors and two juniors, plus a sophomore and two seniors coming off the bench."
Like Florence, Haddonfield came into the game unbeaten. But thanks to a balanced effort from everyone on the court, the Flashes came out of the game still unbeaten.
"It’s not one person for us," Pereda said. "We really stress sharing the ball and looking for each other. We’ve done a real good job of that so far this year. It’s nice to have a group of guys who play as a team. That’s what we want from them and they are starting to get it. I’ve also been very happy with the way the defense has played.
"Quintin comes off the bench, but he really plays as many minutes as anyone. On our team the sixth man plays as much as the starters. We have a real good mix and flow to our rotation right now."
Harris earned MVP honors Schmidt was all-tournament, but there were plenty of heroes for Florence.
"We have good balance with this team," Pereda said. "Adam has been consistent with his numbers. He is our leader so we need him to play well and he has done that so far this year."
In other holiday tournament action last week, Bordentown dropped both games in its own J. Michael Tucker Tournament. After opening with a loss to Florence, they dropped a 55-37 decision to Nottingham in the consolation game. Michael Ansong led the scoring with 13 points. Brandon Hudik was named to the All-Tournament team.
In the opening round 57-24 loss to Florence, Pat Donohue led the scoring with seven points.
Northern Burlington lost to Princeton Day School, 44-41, in the championship game of the Delran Tournament. Alex Irvin led the Greyhounds with 14 points. In the opening round, the Greyhounds topped Pennsauken Tech, 74-68, as Fred Young led the way with 18 points and Irvin added 17 points.