Manville Recreation fifth and sixth grade boys’ basketball team split two games this week.
They defeated South Bound Brook, 28-21, and absorbed their first loss, 33-27, to Somerville Orange 27-33.
The team’s record now stands at 4-1.
Against South Bound Brook the Manville boys fell behind, 19-16, at the end of the third quarter, and then battled back with good defense and hot shooting in the fourth.
Marco Ortez led all scorers with nine points. Jake Bentz played his best game of the year with three assists, seven rebounds and eight points. Hunter Norz controlled the boards, grabbing 21 rebounds while scoring five points.
The defense played great and was led by Dylan Whitenight, Nick Didia and Carlos Sinche. Nick grabbed five rebounds and Dylan grabbed eight rebounds and scored two points.
The Somerville Orange team was loaded with talent but the Manville boys kept it close. Kevin Morales scored four points by making tough shots. Dylan Whitenight scored five points and Hunter Norz added eight points and 12 rebounds. Marco Ortez had four points, four assists and five steals. Jake Bentz chipped in three points and Trent Warmke was solid on defense to help Manville stay close.

