X-MAN: Hun School boys’ basketball player Xander Alvarado gets the ball upcourt in a game last winter. Senior point guard Alvarado will be counted on to trigger the Hun offense this winter. The Raiders were slated to tip off their 2019-20 season by hosting the Haverford School (Pa.) on December 3 and then playing at St. Benedict’s Prep on December 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jon Stone is dealing with a problem regarding his Hun School boys’ basketball team this winter that would be the envy of many coaches.

“It is a little unique this year, I have 11 guys who can play, there are definitely some interchangeable positions,” said Hun head coach Stone, who is in his 20th season at the helm of the program and guided the Raiders to an 11-14 record last winter. “We are just incredibly deep. Figuring out the rotation is going to be my biggest challenge without a doubt.”

Hun’s rotation boasts four returning guards in senior Xander Alvarado, senior Liam Gunnarson, senior Dylan Knight, and sophomore Daniel Vessey.

“Xander started all year last season for me, he is that pure point guard and is a total pass-first guy,” said Stone, whose team was slated to tip off its 2019-20 season this week by hosting the Haverford School (Pa.) on December 3 and then playing at St. Benedict’s Prep on December 7.

“He is totally unselfish, we have got to get him to shoot more than he did last year. Liam is continuing to grow, develop and improve; he certainly has the ability to score. Dylan is more of a wing, he is a guard/forward. Dan brings a real ability to stretch the defense.”

The Raiders are welcoming two newcomers in the backcourt who bring some ability in sophomore Jack Scott, the son of former Princeton University hoops star and head coach Joe Scott, along with junior Kelvin Smith.

“Jack is looking very good, he certainly has an ability to score and is hard-nosed,” added Stone. “Kelvin is a little like Dylan; he is a big guard/forward/wing.”

A trio of senior returners Amir Basma, Max Adelman, and Jack Weiss could make the Raider frontcourt a very good unit.

“Amir is really continuing to develop and grow,” said Stone of the 6’8 forward. “Max gave us some real good minutes last year and provides a lot of energy. Jack has a real ability to stretch the defense and shoot the ball.”

Two other new faces, sophomore Isiaha Dickens and sophomore Toby Thornburg, figure to give Stone some productive minutes this winter at forward.

“Isiaha is all of 6’7 and maybe a little bigger; both he and Amir are good passers,” said Stone. “Toby is a very good shooter from the forward spot and a great communicator.”

In Stone’s view, keeping lines of communication open and working together are two keys to success for the Raiders.

“It is the ability to jell and to get the new faces in with the old faces,” said Stone. “We have a lot of guys who can score the ball and so far we have proven to be unselfish.”