PRINCETON: Dunlap making most of returns

PHS graduate back to spark University Radiology to rec hoops win

By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
   Brian Dunlap hasn’t been able to get back to Princeton as often as he would like to be able to play with his friends and former teammates in the Princeton Recreation Men’s Summer Basketball League.
   But it is the opportunity to play with those friends and former teammates that makes Dunlap put in the extra effort to get back to Princeton and play as often as possible.
   Dunlap, who will be a senior at Notre Dame University in the fall, is interning with JP Morgan in New York City this summer. And that has made it tough for the Princeton High graduate to always get back to his old stomping grounds to play.
   ”This is just my third game,” Dunlap said after scoring 11 of his 13 points in the second half to help University Radiology rally for a 44-38 win over Ivy Inn on Friday night. “I have been trying to make it to as many as I can. I work in (New York City) and I am living in the NYU dorms there. It’s a 50 minute train ride and I try to make it back whenever I can.”
   Having Dunlap in the lineup is a big plus for a University Radiology team that has several talented players but not a lot of depth. DeQuan Holman led the team with 15 points against Ivy Inn, while Skye Ettin and Devon Holman have also been weekly stalwarts.
   ”We lost DeQuan Basnight, who broke his hand and was on our team the last couple years,” said Dunlap, who was part of the University Radiology team that won the league championship last year. “Ike (Robinson) has missed the last couple games and he is one of the league leaders in 3s. On a night like this in a hot gym it is tough playing shorthanded, but we managed to get through it.”
   The team has held together well enough this season to take a 5-2 record into the final week of the regular season. University Radiology is currently third, behind league co-leaders Dr. Palmer and Winberie’s, who both entered the week 7-1.
   ”I have been playing with Skye since I was about 5 years old,” Dunlap said. “DeQuan and Devon, I played with them all throughout high school. It’s great playing with these guys and I love coming back to be able to do it. I try to be a good teammate, but it definitely is an incentive to come back when I know I will get to play with these guys.”
   Dunlap has stayed in basketball shape in college playing in a very competitive intramural environment. It’s something he enjoys and helps keep him in good enough shape to rejoin his friends in the summer.
   ”I am very happy at Notre Dame,” Dunlap said. “I’m playing intramurals. They have dorm teams and the competition is pretty good. There are a ton of athletes there and a lot of real good basketball players. It is pretty high level. A lot of the guys played in high school and a lot of the football players come out and play.
   ”I don’t have the Division I athleticism, but I try to stay in shape playing intramurals.”
   The regular season concludes on Wednesday and the playoffs in the Princeton league begin next Monday as University Radiology looks to repeat as league champions.
   ”You have to try to defend your crown,” Dunlap said. “We play in this league to try to win the championship. There are a lot of good teams this year. We have not played great so far but I think our best basketball is still in front of us.”
   After a slow start against Ivy Inn last Friday, they got it together and sparked by some big baskets from DeQuan Holman and Dunlap got back in the game.
   ”We have played together for so long that when we get down like that we don’t panic,” Dunlap said. “We have been in so many games where we have been down we know it is important to keep a level head and maintain your composure. They started out real hot in the first half but we knew this was a game of runs and we made ours.”
   Shahid Abdul-Karim led Ivy Inn, which fell to 5-3, with nine points in the loss on Friday. In the two other games on Friday night, the Clinton Kings defeated Princeton Youth Sports, 65-45. Chris Bellofatto led the scoring for the Clinton Kings with 20 points. Kenny Gan had 17 points, Jake Gredy 14 and Mike Morelli 12 in the win. Lior Levy led PYS with 22 points.
   The PA Blue Devils topped Team TB, 54-37, as Zach Sibol led the way with 15 and Jesse Krasna added 13. Ahmad Best had 11 points and Anthony Brown added 10 in the loss.