MANVILLE: Recreation boys’ basketball splits first four games

   The Manville recreation 7th and 8th grade boys’ basketball team has started the season with two wins and two losses.
   Manville opened the season against a Somerville team that was fast and athletic, and won, 36-31. Manville’s team defense slowed Somerville by blocking shots and controlling the boards. Everyone got involved in Manville’s half-court offense. Ramon Quinonez led Manville with 17 points.
   The next two games were against Bernardsville teams. Bernardsville White team pressed an inexperienced Manville, and won, 40-21. Bernardsville Red also tried to press, but Manville handled it much better after working on in practice. The game was back and forth; Manville had a lead late in the third quarter, but came up just short. 36-30.
   Manville traveled to Bound brook with their leading scorer, Ramon Quinonez, injured. The rest of the team had to step up and Manville won, 27-26, in a game with several lead changes.
   Bound Brook tied the score at 26 with 30 seconds left. Micheal Tyler got fouled and made one of two foul shots to secure the win. Micheal scored 7 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Hunter Norz scored 8 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked 5 shots.
   Point guards Dan Bickar and Jake Bentz did a good job controlling the offense. Jake had 6 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Dan scored four, pulled down 12 rebounds, blocked 5 shots and dished out 3 assists. Ken Viquez crashed the boards for 7 rebounds. Kevin Morales chipped in two points. Marco Ortiz, Dylan Whiteknight, and Blair Sauerhoefer all played solid roles in Manville’s team offense and defense.
   ”The team is learning the game,” said Coach John Norz. “They are starting to all become excellent at passing and really starting to understand the offensive plays.
   Manville has one more chance to play Bernardsville.