Senior eyes grand exit to basketball career
By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
There was a time when Matt Hornich thought about not playing basketball this year to focus on his baseball future.
”I cannot honestly imagine that now,” said the Hillsborough High School senior. “I think I would have regretted it very much, especially with all the success we’re having.
”This is the closest team we’ve had. We hang out on weekends. We’re constantly in contact. We talk about family, and this team acts like one. When something happens, we’re the first one to come to each other.”
The Raiders have been enjoying a big year together. Hillsborough pulled away from Rutgers Prep in the Somerset County Tournament quarterfinals, 62-36, Saturday to set up a semifinal this Saturday against unbeaten Montgomery High.
”This is awesome, especially with the success we’re having,” Hornich said. “I’ve been playing with these guys since fourth grade. I was thinking about not playing. I couldn’t quit on these guys. They’re my brothers.”
Hornich is a month away from ending his basketball career to resume baseball, a sport that he will continue as a pitcher for the University of Delaware next year. His Delaware coach supports him playing basketball, and HHS basketball head coach Ian Progin welcomed back his only four-year varsity player this year to give them a low-post presence. Hornich averages better than 10 points per game and leads the team in rebounds.
”He’s a captain,” said Progin, whose team is 16-2. “He’s played well. He’s done about everything we’ve asked of him.
”He’s one of those kids, a high school kid that can play with his back to the basket. He’s a really hard worker. He fights and battles. He rebounds. That’s huge. He’ll hit the offensive glass and work to own the defensive glass. He brings a physicalness, not only with his height, but his strength. He’s worked on his quickness and agility. No doubt he’s a physical presence for us. He’s a leader by example. I give him a lot of compliments.”
Hornich worked his way onto the varsity team as a freshman, then worked his way into being a regular sub. By his sophomore year, he was a starter, and he has remained steady for the Raiders for the last three seasons, his one foray away from the diamond as he joins Progin’s squad.
”For about nine months, baseball takes priority,” Hornich said. “He knows once basketball starts, baseball takes a back seat.”
The basketball team held a 23-16 lead over Rutgers Prep at halftime when they erupted with a 20-7 advantage in the third quarter and added to their lead in the fourth quarter. Jalen Parham and James Smith had 14 points apiece and Jack Panagos had 10 points. Hornich had nine points.
”Saturday, it was another balanced effort,” Hornich said. “Everyone did their job. No one tried to do too much. At halftime, it was seven-point game, and our coach said, these first four minutes are going to determine how it’s going to go. Our energy on defense is what won us the game.”
Hornich is looking forward to the showdown with Montgomery. Their regular-season game was snowed out, and they won’t make it up because of playing each other in the county tournament and potentially again in the state tournament.
”Obviously they’re a good team,” Hornich said. “Their record shows it. We’ve been playing with these guys since fourth grade. I like our chances of winning. I’m a guy that’s always confident. If we play our game our way, we can come out on top.
”They can knock us off if we don’t play our game. I’m confident if we come out and play our game, we’ll come out on top.”
The Raiders got a big jolt of confidence when they avenged one of their season defeats with a win at Gill St. Bernards.
”We finally got Gill,” Hornich said. “I’ve been playing for four years and haven’t beaten them. That was one of our goals. To do it at their place, it was great. The fact that we beat them, it shows if we play our game, we can beat anybody.”
It also shows how far the Raiders have come. They are playing some of their best basketball at the right time, and Hornich firmly believes that they have better efforts ahead of them.
”I think we’re playing better,” Progin said. “I think we’ve definitely improved since the first half of the season. One thing that did show that was the ability to beat Gill on the road at Gill. They’re such a solid team and another good coach. Our guys have improved as the season has gone along. That’s always the goal.”
Hornich, too, has grown plenty in his career. He’s always been a contributor inside who isn’t afraid to go against any top forward, and he relishes the defensive end as much as playing offense.
”Playing varsity for four years, growing up with coach, he changed me as a man on and off the court,” Hornich said. “Senior year, it hasn’t hit me yet that my career is coming to an end. Freshman year does not seem like a long time ago at all.
”Freshman year, it was a struggle for me. Some of these guys are 18-year-old adults. I was a 14-year-old kid. I’ve grown in strength, and the maturity factor. I’ve been in big games. I know how to deal with adversity. I know what coach expects.”
Progin would like to see his team put together a nice run to close its year. The Raiders have solidified their roles and grown together throughout a strong season.
”This group has improved and gotten better as the season has gone along,” Progin said. “We need that now as it comes to playoff time. When it’s tournament time, you want to be at your best. Hopefully we’re doing that now. We’ve gotten good play from our regular guys and had guys come off the bench to help us out too.”
In Hornich, the Raiders know exactly what they are going to get night in and night out. That consistent effort is something that they couldn’t imagine missing this year. Baseball tryouts start March 7, but Hornich is in no hurry. Baseball will be there for the rest of his athletic career. He is enjoying his final season of basketball for the Raiders boys team.
”Growing up, I liked both of them pretty equally,” Hornich said. “As I got older and saw my potential in baseball and potential in basketball, I saw if I worked hard enough, there was a potential for baseball in me. My college coach loves me playing. There’s no downfall to me playing.”