By: centraljersey.com
ROBBINSVILLE – "Doctor" Don Hess feels his Hightstown High boys’ basketball team will be guard-driven this season.
Which is why Hess was feeling pretty happy about things after Tuesday night’s 53-43 win at Robbinsville.
"Our guards controlled the tempo of the game and they were excellent in spreading the floor and waiting for their opportune shots," said Hess, whose team improved to 4-2. "I have to praise all our guards.
"Ryan Borden played a superb game (with 10 points and clutch foul shooting) and Cole Fusik didn’t force anything. That’s what we’re trying to preach – team play, spread the floor. That makes it tough for teams to play us when we do that."
Also in that backcourt mix is senior Qwanza Harper, who had another outstanding game. Harper scored 20 points, was in the middle of several key runs by the Rams with both his ball handling and passing, and played strong defense against the Ravens guards.
Harper is merely following in the family footsteps, as his dad played for Hess in the mid-1980’s and his mom ran track for the Doctor.
"It’s a great Hightstown family," he said. "Qwanza and his dad are two mirror players. They both play good defense, both can shoot the ball and don’t mind passing. That’s’ been the key with that family.
"He’s a great kid. He can do a lot of things."
He did enough to drive Robbinsville coach Byron Conover crazy.
"Every time we tried to make a run we’d fall short," the coach said. "That little guard, number one, he was in our pockets all night. I give Hightstown’s kids all the credit, they got the rebounds and the scores when they needed them."
They also played tough defense, which made Hess happy. Despite seven three-pointers, Robbinsville only scored 43 points.
Again, it came down to the guards. But the forwards started to rumble, as Sam Lopez scored 13 and sparked a big third-quarter run.
"The guards are gonna control the tempo of the game," Hess said. "But we still have a lot of stuff we have to put in yet. We’re trying to get the ball on the block when we get the opportunity."
Which will only make the Rams tougher as the season moves on.

