Justin Feil

By: centraljersey.com
Kenny Gan knew things would be different for him this season.
The senior forward’s development in one year’s time has helped the Hillsborough High School boys basketball sustain a high level of success.
"It’s definitely a big change in terms of my role," Gan said. "Last year, I’d give Kyle (Banfield) and Frank (Mitchell) a break. I’d try to give us a spark on defense with a block or steal. Now a lot more of the scoring has come through me since we lost our 1,000-point scorer. I feel like I’ve adapted well to it.
"Last year, I was more known to come in for a defensive spark, get some steals and blocks," he said. "This year, I have to play that expanded role. I get a lot of touches around the hoop, which I’m not going to complain about. It’s a big change. You start to get in that mentality where you want the ball around the rim. I’ve had that all summer and fall, so I’m used to having that scoring mentality."
Gan has been tough to contain as one of the focal points of the offense. He had a team-high 12 points in the Raiders’ 59-39 win in their Hillsborough Holiday Tournament opener last week, then wrapped up Most Valuable Player honors with a 23-point performance as the Raiders captured their tournament championship game, 48-38, over Hightstown.
"Obviously, since we were hosting the tournament, we want to come out with two wins," Gan said. "We were still cautious of both the teams. We knew Sayreville would come out and run. Hightstown, they have a big guy we wanted to make sure didn’t dominate."
As nice as it was to win to move to 5-0, Gan and the Raiders may have gotten more out of their first loss of the season, a 45-41 defeat at the hands of Roselle Catholic on Sunday in a Hoop Group showcase game at Rider University.
"By far, it was the best team we’ve played thus far," Gan said. "It gets us ready for Gill, who we see twice, and Ridge. Everybody was happy we’re 5-0. It puts it in perspective that you have to be ready for the big competition when it comes up."
Gan was held in check with four points and the Raider shooters struggled. Roselle Catholic built a lead as big as 14 points in the fourth quarter before Hillsborough rallied. The Raiders went to a full-court press and also implemented a 1-3-1 halfcourt trap. Mike Morelli heated up with a pair of 3-pointers, Jason Jolliffe connected on another 3, and Cody Watts delivered a three-point play the old-fashioned way and when Morelli hit a 3 with less than three minutes left in the game, Hillsborough led, 41-40. Unfortunately, they did not score again.
"Offensively, we struggled," said Hillsborough head coach Ian Progin. "Our post game was taken away and our guards, for a better point of the game, were cold. I was proud of them. I think they showed a lot of heart. I think they represented our program well. I hope it benefits Kenny. It’s the first time he went up against a player that big and that good. Hopefully all our players can take something away from it."
Gan certainly appreciated the challenge of guarding and being guarded by Roselle Catholic’s Jameel Warney, one of the state’s top junior big men.
"It was definitely a big jump," Gan said. "The first five games, I was able to get whatever I wanted around the hoop. I could turn left and right, or even go under the hoop to score. (Sunday) was a battle to get a shot off. It was definitely a good thing. I like getting those games in. It definitely gets me ready for a big week."
It paid off immediately as Gan was back to his dominant self with 20 points and 10 rebounds in Hillsborough’s 52-48 win over Bridgewater-Raritan on Tuesday. The Raiders take on Immaculata today.
"Bridgewater and Immaculata don’t have same height or athleticism that I saw (Sunday)," Gan said. "In AAU, I go up against big guys like that."
Added Progin: "I have a lot of faith and confidence in Kenny. He’s progressed a lot since last year. He’s progressed a lot on the offensive end. He’s a great kid and I know he’s only going to get better."
If Gan and the Raiders can show the benefits of that non-conference loss, it may be one of their most important games of the year. Just to be involved in the showcase game was a testament to how the Hillsborough program has developed.
"It was a great experience," said Progin, who Tuesday earned his 100th career victory with the Raiders. "I think our kids had a lot of fun. It was a great opponent to be invited to play down at Rider University. I was pleased that we got the invite. And we saw a really good team. That’s why you play these games to help you throughout the year."
The Raiders are continuing to grow as a squad. They are getting balanced scoring. In the holiday tournament championship, Steve Hydzik had eight points and Mike Morelli added seven points. Morelli had 14 points to lead the way against Roselle Catholic, while Hydzik had eight again. Morelli had 18 in the win over Bridgewater-Raritan.
But the biggest area of growth has come at the defensive end, where the Raiders haven’t allowed an opponent more than 48 points since their season opener. Hillsborough wasn’t happy giving up 37 second-half points to Bridgewater, but they are becoming more consistent in their overall defensive efforts.
"We’re giving up about 43 points per game," Progin said. "I’m pleased with that point total. That was the thing that was so incredible about (Sunday). We shot poorly from the field, but we were still in it.
"I think the defense is getting a little better each game," he added. "We’re continuing to work on that you have to play it a little differently each night based on the opponent. Hopefully we can add some more wrinkles and continue to get better."