by Josh Lashley
HAMILTON — One can take a quick glance at the drastic improvement in the overall record of the Hamilton West High School boys basketball program from the 2012-13 season and the 2013-14 season without giving it much further thought.
However, it’s important to realize why the Hornets were able to improve from a sub .500 record last year to a 17-8 record, including an 11-5 mark and a first place finish in the Colonial Valley Conference Valley Division this winter.
”I just feel that my guys deserve a lot of credit for turning a 4-20 season a year ago into a 17-8 campaign this year with the same team,” Hornet head coach Jason Malloy said. “We had the same system as last year, which shows how much the guys have improved basketball wise and matured as basketball players.”
Malloy vividly recalls those contests that were most outstanding in terms of effort given by his players on the court this season. The Hornets advanced to the semifinal round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III Sectional Tournament before losing, 80-74, to Ewing.
”There were many games that standout this year as impressive for our team,” he said. “The first of which was beating Nottingham in our Christmas Tournament Championship (58-55 on December 28). The guys played extremely well and were able to hold on after a great comeback by Nottingham. It gave us a 4-0 record on the year, which matched last year’s win total so it was big for us.
”Another clearly impressive win was our victory over Notre Dame (80-54 on January 23). We played almost a flawless game and our two leaders Tyleer Wrenn (35 points) and Dan Garcia (26 points) led the way in improving our record to 10-2,” he added.
”The other game that was very impressive and made me very proud was our last game of the season. Even though we lost in overtime to Ewing, the team came out on fire, played great and fought to the end and legitimized what a great season we had,” he said. “As heartbreaking of a loss that game was, I think it showed our guys that we accomplished a lot this year and we were a very good team.”
Leadership was at a premium for Malloy on the court this season.
”Our two clear leaders were senior Dan Garcia and junior Tyleer Wrenn,” he said. “They led us in scoring this year and were a great one-two combination in the backcourt all year and made our teamwork hard in practice and in games.
”Juniors Malik Snead, Kevin Smiegocki and Freddie Simmons also played an integral role in our team’s attitude and approach this season,” he added. “Each of them stepped up their game from last year and played a big role in our team’s success this season.
”I guess you can say the biggest surprise this season was Simmons. Freddie is a great kid and athlete and we always knew the potential was there. Freddie saw very limited minutes on the varsity level this year, but he performed extremely well in our scrimmages this year and continued his great play throughout the season. Senior Tyree Adams was also very impressive this year after not playing a second of varsity last year. He is an extremely athletic kid-phenomenal high jumper in track-and his contributions throughout the season have not gone unnoticed.”
The 2013-14 season was a solid one indeed for Hamilton West, but soon it will be time for the coaches and student-athletes to look forward to next year.
”We have great reason for optimism next year,” he said. “We have four returning starters and many juniors that got plenty of experience this season. Also, our freshmen and sophomores are very good athletes that should be ready to be solid role players next year,” he said. “Also, our seniors set a great example this year as to what it will take to be successful and make it even farther next season. We are all looking forward to next year.”
