Hoffman helping PHS boys basketball grow up
By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
While the players and coaches of the Princeton High boys basketball team would like to have a better record at this point, they know they’re working toward improvement each and every day.
”This team has a great attitude,” Princeton coach Jason Carter said after his team defeated Allentown, 49-41, in double overtime on Tuesday. “They are coachable. They listen well and one thing I am most proud of is situations in games where I tell them I want them to do this or that and we can pull it off, especially defensively.”
Matt Hoffman led a balanced scoring effort for the Little Tigers with 15 points. Lior Levy had 13 and Davon Black added 11 as Princeton improved to 3-4 on the season.
Princeton opened the season with a win over Nottingham, then lost to powerful Trenton Catholic. Since then there have been wins over Allentown and Howell, as well as losses to Notre Dame, Hopewell Valley and Montgomery.
While the 3-4 start has been OK, the whole team is always wanting a little more.
”We’re never happy with our start unless we were 7-0 at this point,” said Hoffman, one of two senior starters for the Little Tigers. “I think I can speak for all of us when I say we’re never really happy. Even if we were 7-0 there is always a feeling you can do better. Right now we feel that.
”I don’t think our record shows how good we are because we feel like we can do much more better. In a couple more weeks or even days we’ll be back in sync with each other.”
Princeton is hoping its young roster comes together in time to make another run at the state tournament, which is always a goal for the team.
”I think last year we had some problems with attitude and not focusing,” Hoffman said. “This year is much different. Everyone seems happier on the court. I feel better, maybe because I am a senior. As a team we are focused all the time and have a good spirit.
”If Coach gets on us, we listen and trust him. Everyone doesn’t take being there for granted. There are people that want to be in our spot so we know we have to work hard to keep it. We go to games and practice and put it all on the line whenever we go on the court.”
With just two senior starters, Carter realized his team is a work in progress. Games like the one against Allentown, where everyone contributed and execution down the stretch made the difference, give him reason for optimism.
”Matt Hoffman had a strong first quarter,” Carter said. “He scored nine of our 11. Lior hit some foul shots down the stretch. Elliot Golden came off the bench and sparked us on a little run We have some guys who if they get hot at the right time can score. Right now our biggest struggle is team defense and closing out on shots. We gave up nine 3s to Notre Dame and eight 3s to Hopewell.”
Hoffman hopes he and fellow senior starter Black can help lead the team through the coming months and lay a solid foundation for the future.
”This is Davon’s fourth year on varsity and my third,” said Hoffman, who along with Black are seniors on the roster along with Chris Jackson and E.J. Morgan. “We as seniors have a different mindset. I know this year when I step on the court my mindset is I am better than the other guy. Last year if I saw a senior in the lineup and I had to guard him, and I was a little nervous.
”This year it is different. The juniors see the attitude that Davon and I have and they feed off our attitude. As a senior, you have an attitude that you are a senior and you are not going to get pushed around. This is our last year so we want to do our best and work our hardest and see the underclassmen continue to get better.”