ON THE BALL: Davon Black passes the ball in action last year in the Princeton Recreation Department Summer Men’s Basketball League. Former Princeton High star Black has helped Clarke Insurance catch fire in recent summer hoops action. Last Wednesday, Black scored 23 points as Clarke topped King’s Pizzarama 51-46. Two nights later, Black tallied 17 points as Clarke defeated Dr. Palmer 69-38 to improve to 4-4.  In action last Monday evening, Majeski Foundation defeated King’s Pizzarama 78-57 while Dr. Palmer edged Ivy Inn 46-44 and Jesse Krasna Hoops Training posted a 72-49 win over Rogue’s Gallery. Krasna is currently in first place with an 8-1 record with Majeski next at 7-1. The regular season concludes on July 13 with the playoffs beginning on July 18, featuring two quarterfinal contests at the Community Park courts. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

It was sweltering last Wednesday evening at the Community Park basketball courts, with the temperature hovering around 90 and the air thick with humidity.

Mirroring the conditions, Davon Black of Clarke Insurance got off to a torrid start as his team faced King’s Pizzarama in the Princeton Recreation Department Summer Men’s Basketball League.

Former Princeton High standout guard Black scored 13 points as Clarke built a 25-17 lead at halftime.

“It shows that my hard work is paying off; my three ball is falling, I am shooting it with confidence,” said Black, a 2012 PHS alum, reflecting on his offensive production this summer, which has seen him emerge as the league’s leading scorer with 16.3 points a game.

“The three opens up the drive. Before everyone played off me, looking for me to drive. Now they have to come out to me.”

In the second half, King’s came back with an 18-9 run to forge ahead 35-34 and Clarke had to regroup, utilizing some aggressive defense to pull out a 51-46 win.

“We just had to play our game and that got us out on the fast breaks with steals,” said Black.

“That is when we are at our best, having active hands on our 2-3 zone and getting loose balls.”

Black also impacted the game as a playmaker, setting up former PHS teammate Lior Levy along with Hopewell Valley alums Max Alton and Bailey Schrader.

“This team looks for me to score but also to be the guy on the floor,” said Black, who ended the evening with a season-high 23 points.

“I am not going to hit every game. If I am not hitting I have to have confidence in my guys to pass it. They made me look good, they were making 3s.”

In Black’s view, the win over King’s was a good confidence builder for Clarke.

“This is a big one, we lost a couple of close ones,” said Black, who scored 17 points as Clarke defeated Dr. Palmer 69-38 last Friday to improve to 4-4.

“We lost to TCNJ (Majeski Foundation), we let that slip, and we lost a close one to Ivy Inn, we let that slip. Those are two of the top dogs. This is the third place team and it feels good to finally get over that hump and finally win a big game. We played so well throughout the game.”

With the league quarterfinals slated for July 18 and 21, Black believes that Clarke could emerge as a top dog in the playoffs.

“We just got to play together; in the first couple of games, we didn’t have the chemistry,” said Black.

“I feel like we are getting it going and that is right when we want to get it going, for the playoffs. It is a new record in the playoffs, with everyone starting at 0-0.”