By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
Zahrion Blue is happy to be back playing in the Princeton Recreation Men’s Summer Basketball League.
Blue played in the league while at Princeton High School, but was not part of the league last summer when the high school did not put a team into the league. This summer, the PHS graduate has hooked on with Princeton Special Sports/Liquid Outdoor Advertising and is gaining valuable court experience as he gets ready for the next phase of his basketball life.
“We didn’t have a team here last year, so I was out at Moody Park with the high school team,” said Blue, who scored 23 point to help his team to a 66-63 win over PEAK Performance on Monday night. “It’s nice being back out here with this competition playing against these men. I’m not playing against boys anymore, these are men.”
Blue and his teammates currently sit at 4-3 and in third place heading into tonight’s final night of the regular season. The team features the league’s leading scorer, Nick Davidson, who had 16 points in Monday’s win. Former PHS player Kevin Kane added 15 points in the win.
“We have some bigs, we have some guards, and we have shooters,” said Blue, who is averaging 11.3 points per game this summer. “We have people who can handle the ball. So we have guys who can do it all. For us it’s all about the playoffs.”
PPS/LOA is hoping to make a run once the playoffs get underway next week. The team is a mix of players getting to know each other on the court and has been playing better as the team has gelled.
“We didn’t really know each other,” Blue said. “Some of the guys knew each other. I used to play with Kevin Kane and John Morelli in high school. With the other guys we just had to find each others game and start to work together. I hadn’t played with Nick or Vince (Anfield) before. But I know how Kevin plays because we’ve played together in high school.
“We have to get ready for the playoffs. I am excited about that and getting to play against some good competition.”
Blue is still thinking about what his own next step will be. He’s hoping to spend a post-graduate year in high school before embarking on a college career.
“I am thinking about post-grad,” Blue said. “I can get more looks. I am still looking for a school. This is tough competition out here playing against these men. It gives me some good experience. I’m also still working out on my own.”
The league plays its final night of the regular season tonight before beginning the playoffs on Monday. The quarterfinals will be played Monday and Wednesday, with the semifinals scheduled for July 20. The best-of-three championship series gets underway July 24.
On Wednesday night, the PA Blue Devils topped NJAC, 64-50, as Jack Coolahan led the way with 28 points and Chase Kumor added 12. Majeski Foundation clinched the top seed for the playoffs with a 58-50 win over the Packer Hall All-Stars. Jordan Glover and Elias Bermudez scored 14 points apiece in the win. Reggie Coleman had 14 points and Khalid Lewis added 12 in the loss. PEAC topped King’s Pizza, 55-46. Jonathan Azoroh scored 14 points and Lou Conde added 13 in the win. Thomas Swartz had 19 points and Jack Dennehy added 14 in the loss.
In Monday night’s other two games, LoyalTees topped King’s Pizza, 58-52, as Davon Black scored 18 points and Darrin Elam-Council added 15. Karron Johnson had 20 points and Trey Murrill added 15 in the loss. Majeski Foundation topped the PA Blue Devils, 72-53, as Terence Bailey scored 18 points to lead the scoring. Jordan Glover added 15 in the win, while Zack Murreda had 12 points in the loss.
