Junior helps guide boys basketball to fast start
By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
Danny Borup knew he would have a much larger role for the West Windsor-Plainsboro High South boys basketball team this season.
With four starters and all but two varsity performers graduating, the Pirates knew they would be relying on plenty of newcomers this season. Borup, a junior, joined returning starter Tommy Hussong as the only Pirates with varsity experience this season.
The two returning juniors have done a great job of leading their teammates this season, helping South come together for a 6-3 start that includes a 64-39 win over Allentown on Saturday. Borup led the Pirates with 19 points, while Hussong added 14 in the win.
Borup, who is in his first full season as a starter, leads the Pirates in nearly every offensive category this season.
”Last year as a sophomore he was coming off the bench and after Dennis (Zhou) got hurt he started a couple games for us,” South coach Bob Schurtz said. “But then he got a concussion and was out for a while. But he came back and got some varsity experience and has now stepped into being one of our top guys.
”He is a great young man. He is one of those guys you love to coach. He gives you everything you want out of a player. He is hard working and team oriented.”
Borup, who is also a starter for the South baseball team, leads the team in scoring at 14.4 points per game. He also leads the team in rebounding (5.9 per game), steals (2.4) and assists (2.1).
”Last year I was a lot more timid,” Borup said. “But after getting the experience of last year I felt more confident in the games. I like to go to the basket more. Tommy had a huge year for us last year. He led the county in 3s last year so everyone has ‘D’ed up on him. So now we’re moving the ball around and trying to get open shots for him and everyone else.
”Since Tommy and I are the only ones with much experience I knew I would be taking on a bigger role and trying to be a leader. We have a pretty young team and I am trying to be a leader.”
After dropping their opener to Nottingham, the Pirates won five of six games before dropping back-to-back games to Ewing and Notre Dame. They bounced back with the win over Allentown to get to 6-3.
”We came into the season with a lot of inexperienced guys,” Schurtz said. “Even guys like Tommy and Danny have different roles. They are guys that had played but are in totally new roles. Everyone is getting acclimated and guys have bought into our style and system. We’re playing 10-11 guys every game, mixing it up and pressing and turning teams over at an average of 20.7 per game.
”The guys have worked their butts off and I could not be more proud. They have established a culture and aggressive nature that gives us the best opportunity to win and we have been in every game.”
While Hussong and Borup were fairly known commodities coming into the season, the Pirates have had several players step up and play big roles this season. Senior Kareem Elhossieni is in his first season with the varsity after playing JV last year. Idris Erinjogunola is also in his first season with the varsity after moving from Georgia his junior year.
”Kareem, all summer he was playing great,” Borup said. “I knew he would be one of the tougher kids, especially with rebounds. And Brian Meersma was a great shooter all summer. Those two are guys people didn’t know about but they are slowly starting to know who they are.”
C.J. Howell is a sophomore who has stepped in and played well, while freshman Jon Kline is averaging seven points a game. With newcomers stepping in and performing well, the Pirates hope to have the same kind of success they had a year ago when they reached the Mercer County Tournament championship game.
”I think we’re capable of getting there,” Borup said. “We’re a couple plays away each game from winning a couple more games. Hopefully by the time the playoffs come we’ll be playing our best.”
Borup will certainly do all he can to help make sure that happens. He spends his athletic year juggling baseball and basketball and always has the goal of doing whatever he can to help his team win.
”It can get pretty busy in the summer,” Borup said. “We went to St. Joe’s for a basketball camp and played in the summer league at South. I also did a lot of traveling with baseball. I was in Georgia for a week and also Florida for two weeks.
”Over the summer I would have basketball lifting in the morning and then go to baseball later in the day.”
The hard work has made him a valuable contributor in both sports. And right now Borup is doing what he can to make sure the basketball season is another successful one for the Pirates.