By Warren Rappleyea
It’s been a season of streaks for Old Bridge High School’s boys’ basketball team, and the Knights have won three straight games in their latest streak as they begin to prepare for the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) and NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group IV tournaments.
Coach Jim Macomber’s team is 12-6 overall and has a pair of four-game winning streaks in the books already this winter. The Knights have shown their mettle lately, as evidenced by a 50-39 success against Piscataway Township High School Jan. 28. It was a seesaw battle for three quarters, and the teams entered the final quarter locked in a 36-36 tie. Visiting Old Bridge prevailed by outscoring its host, 14-3, over the final eight minutes. Jared Meyer led the way with 12 points, while Brandon Millings had 10 points, including two 3-pointers.
Two days earlier, Kyle Parris’ 18-point effort helped his team edge East Brunswick High School, 55-51, in another back-and-forth game. Julius Belton pitched in with 10 points for the winners.
On Jan. 24, the Knights came out on top of Piscataway, 57-54, in yet another nail-biter. Parris again let the team with 14 points. Millings had two 3-pointers and 12 total points. Rich Calandrino added 11 points.
“Those were important wins, especially coming after a loss, [60-47], to Howell,” Macomber said. “You have to be able to find ways to win games because everyone you play in the postseason will be good. A lot of different guys stepped up for us.”
Coming into the campaign, Old Bridge knew what it had in Parris, a 6-foot-3 forward who averaged 12 points a year ago. The plan was to give the senior the ball as much as possible and look for other players to contribute as well. Parris has done his part, averaging 18.9 points this time around, with a high of 29 points in an overtime win over Union High School.
His teammates are doing their part as well. Calandrino and Billings have shown their long-range shooting ability, hitting for 22 and 21 3-pointers, respectively, while averaging eight points apiece. Senior Will Osvald, Meyer and Belton are all averaging about five points. Another sophomore, Mike Olivia, has played well when called up and is averaging 3.1 points.
A year ago, the Knights earned a home game and handily defeated Trenton Central High School in the opening round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group IV tournament and also won their opener in the GMC event. Macomber believes his team is capable of doing more this year.
“We’re a young team, but our guys have gotten a lot of experience so far,” the coach said. “I think our guys have shown they’re good enough to play with any team. It will all come down to playing defense and rebounding. If our guys play like they’re capable of playing, we’ll win some games.”