KEEPING UP WITH JONES: Troy Jones heads to the basket during his career for the East Stroudsburg University men’s basketball program. Last Wednesday, Jones tallied 15 points to help Princeton Supply defeat Planet Fitness 65-47 in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. Two days later, Princeton Supply topped AEI 86-66 as improved to 6-1. (Photo provided courtesy of East Stroudsburg University Athletics)

By Bill Alden

After starring for the Notre Dame High and East Stroudsburg University basketball programs, Troy Jones has taken his hoops talents thousands of miles away.

“I actually play overseas now. I came back from Syria,” said Jones, who competes for the Al Wathba Homs in the Syrian Basketball League and previously played for Cilicia in Armenian Caucasus Basketball League. “It was very different. They showed me a lot of love.”

While Jones has enjoyed his international experience, he is loving playing close to home currently, having joined the Princeton Supply team in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League.

“I am just glad to be back in the league. I enjoyed the time playing here,” said Jones, a 6’0, 170-pound guard who last played in the league three or four years ago and joined Princeton Supply when team manager, coach Phil Vigliano, reached out to him earlier this
summer. “When I came back, there was so many memories there.”

Last Wednesday, Jones made some more good memories on rhe Community Park courts, scoring 15 points to help Princeton Supply defeat Planet Fitness 65-47.

“We started the game with five people,” said Jones. “Once the others showed up, we were just able to start pressing. It was the numbers game, they got tired. They started missing shots and we got a lot of turnovers.”

After scoring just four points on free throws in the first half as Princeton Supply led 31-27 at the break, Jones caught fire after intermission, pouring in 11 points as the squad pulled away to the win.

“I was getting a feel for the game, I am a rhythm player so I have got to just feel out the game and courts,” said Jones, who showed a lot of game at East Stroudsburg, scoring 792 points in his college career with 206 rebounds and 197 assists.

“I have to get used to them again because I haven’t played in like three years on that court. I just felt better.”

In making an impact with his new squad, Jones has focused on making his teammates better.

“I just try to bring leadership and make sure we play basketball the right way, that is all I bring to it,” said Jones. “I do as much as I can. I try to put my teammates in the best position to just win.”

In the view of Jones, Princeton Supply, which improved to 6-1 with an 86-66 win over AEI last Friday night, has what it takes to win the league this summer.

“We have a lot of good pieces on our team; I think we definitely can make a deep title run,” said Jones.

“It is just building chemistry and playing more defense. Phil always stresses defense. Everybody is unselfish, that is what makes the team play well. We want the next person to score the easy basket.”