HILLSBOROUGH: Herbert adjusts to tweak in role

HHS guard gains confidence

By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
   Nigel Herbert had all the intangibles of a point guard, but he wasn’t playing one until last year when the Hillsborough High School boys basketball team needed him.
   Herbert was nervous at first. He didn’t feel like his leadership had as much authority since he wasn’t a senior, and he was brand new to the position.
   ”It was a huge transition,” said Herbert, a senior now in his second year at the point. “First year, I wasn’t even a point guard. I was an off guard. That first year was a huge transition turning into a point guard.
   ”This year, I’ve been focusing on my offensive game and shooting. Last year, I was just a playmaker. This year, I’m trying to be a playmaker and also contribute to the offense. That was a big step for me.”
   Herbert scored just four points, but kept the Raiders in control for a tight 46-43 win over South Brunswick on Saturday. His position remains a key to the fast start for Hillsborough, which is 12-2 going into tonight’s game against Franklin.
   ”It’s great,” Herbert said. “I was definitely humbled and grateful that my coach gave me an opportunity at this position and the leadership that comes with it. I’m more of a playmaker. I like putting my teammates in a position where they can score and make a basket. I love having that feeling this is your team. I feel like I’ve adapted to the point guard position pretty well.”
   The Raiders are enjoying terrific play at the point out of Herbert to go with a dynamic attack inside from forwards Matt Hornich, Jon Gregory and Jalen Parham. Against South Brunswick, Hornich had 12 points and Parham added eight points.
   ”More often than not, one of our two forwards has an advantage in size or athleticism,” said Hillsborough head coach Ian Progin. “Offensively, we hnave one guy averaging about 11 points per game, Matt Hornich, and then three other guys just over nine. Jon Gregory, Jalen Parham are both over nine and Nick (Alaimo) is over nine. I like the balanced scoring we’ve been getting.”
   It was Alaimo, a guard, who hit for 15 points to lead the Raiders, who picked up his production on the weekend. They would love to get more of that sort of production out of their off guards.
   ”The inside game has been carrying us a bit,” Progin said. “Nick Alaimo, our shooting guard, stepped up and had a nice all-around game Saturday. I’d like to get the guards a little more involved. The strength of our team has been our forwards offensively. Defensively, we’ve done solid job of holding teams in the 40s. If you do that, you have a good chance against most teams.”
   The Raiders came into the season with high expectations after returning plenty of experience. They have seen that pay off, particularly in their ability to pull out some close games.
   Hillsborough has won five straight games since a loss to Gill St. Bernards. Two of them have been decided by three or fewer points, including Saturday’s narrow victory.
   ”Part of it is experience,” Herbert said. “Part of it is listening to Coach. He puts people in position to do their role late in the game. People do fill those shoes and make it happen on the floor.
   ”Against Hunterdon Central, James Smith, a transfer — this was his second game playing — and he was put in, hit two or three jump shots, got a steal and put us up by two or three and we ended up winning off of that. With just listening to Coach, he knows what he’s doing when he puts us in those positions.”
   Herbert, who played soccer in the fall for HHS, has helped to solidify the basketball team by giving them steady play at the point. He’s stepped up his play in his second year.
   ”He does a terrific job of running our offense.” Progin said. “He started last year and he’s one of the guys that has improved a lot. He’s a high assist guy and a low turnover guy.
   ”He’s confident. That experience of being the point guard last year, and now this year, knowing going into it that he’s earned that spot and it’s his position, I think he’s gained more confidence. He’s a real strong ball-handler. He handles the full-court pressure. He’s definitely improved when it comes to the outside shot. He’s more confident when he shoots from the perimeter. He’s always pretty composed and poised.”
   Herbert and the Raiders had a rare off Tuesday, which they spent getting back to the basics. It’s not as much fun as a game, but Herbert recognizes its importance.
   ”During practice, we focus on what we lack in a game,” he said. “It helps us in the long run.”
   The Raiders have a number of things that they are still emphasizing as they eye some big goals. Their 3-point shooting and free-throw shooting numbers both could go up, and Progin is hopeful that his team can throw together some new wrinkles defensively. They are building up around an inside attack that has generated a fast start.
   ”Our big men are great,” Herbert said. “They run the floor well. They definitely help with rebounds — offensive and defensive — and scoring, they put up at least 10 points per game, which is good for us. Most of them are diverse. They have a great mid-range jump shot and great post moves. They’ve contributed a lot to the team.”
   Added Progin: “I’m teaching and preaching to the kids to get the ball inside. They’re doing what I’m saying, and that’s a good thing.”
   Herbert is trying to get his fellow guards to be just as good when the ball is in their hands. He is trying to generate more transition opportunities and create situations that would free up the Raiders’ outside shooters.
   ”It would definitely help us,” Herbert said. “With our big men, it would give them a break. All the guards on this team want to score. Most of them are shooters. They’re kind of struggling now, but I believe if they keep practicing, keep working on their form, we’ll definitely be more of an outside threat.”
   With a more complete attack to combine with their already effective defense, the Hillsborough boys basketball team is looking toward a big second half to the season and the chance to compete in the trophy portion of the season. It’s everything that Nigel Herbert has been imagining for his final scholastic season, and it comes with him running the show at point guard for a second straight year.
   ”We’re definitely looking up right now,” Herbert said. “Definitely it’s how I saw it.”