HHS girls’ head coach seeking third county title
By: Rudy Brandl
Jim Reese has won over 200 games in his 12 years as the Hillsborough High girls’ head basketball coach, but few if any have come as easily as last Saturday’s 61-13 victory over Manville in the first round of the Somerset County Tournament.
Reese reached his latest milestone in the previous Saturday afternoon home victory over Wayne Valley and was honored prior to his team’s next home game. Reese likes to remain modest about his coaching record. He quietly won his 100th game during a holiday tournament back in 2000 and didn’t tell anyone about it until later in the season. Assistant coach Charlie Davis, a member of Reese’s staff for the past six seasons, made sure No. 200 didn’t go unnoticed.
"I get a little embarrassed," Reese said during a post-game reception that featured a large sheet cake and refreshments. "I only told one person (Davis) about this and see what happens."
The players and coaches presented Reese with gifts and a plaque commemorating his latest achievement. Davis also read special messages from Reese’s children.
The game quickly turned into a blowout, giving Reese a chance to empty his bench and enjoy an easy afternoon. As usual, the veteran coach was more concerned about how his team played than his individual accolades.
It’s somewhat ironic that Reese received this fanfare before a game against the team he had coached for two seasons prior to beginning his stint at Hillsborough. Reese, also a former head boys’ basketball coach at Hillsborough, had taken some time away from coaching before accepting the girls’ head position at Manville for the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons.
Reese took over at Hillsborough in 1994 and has led the Lady Raiders to two Somerset County titles (1998, 2005) and five Skyland Conference crowns. Although he’s rarely satisfied, even after a victory, Reese pointed to the two county championships wins and the division clinchers as his most satisfying.
His HHS teams have eclipsed the 20-win mark five times. The Lady Raiders came within a basket of winning the Central Jersey Group 4 title in 2004 and have never finished with a losing record under Reese.