RESERVE STRENGTH: Hun School boys’ basketball player Anthony Loscalzo dribbles upcourt in a game. Last Friday, junior guard Loscalzo came off the bench and scored a season-best 21 points to help Hun defeat Mercersburg Academy 118-81. A day later, Loscalzo contributed 10 points and a steal as the Raiders topped Friends Select (Pa.) 73-53. Hun, who improved to 13-8 with the win on Saturday, was slated to host Pennington in the opening round of the Prep A tournament on February 15 and then head to the Blair Academy to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) tourney from February 18-20. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Anthony Loscalzo prides himself on providing a spark for the Hun School boys’ basketball team when he comes off the bench.

But as Hun hosted Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) last Friday evening, junior guard Loscalzo was on fire from the moment he stepped on the court.

Entering the game early in the first half, Loscalzo proceeded to immediately drain a three-pointer. That proved to be a harbinger of things to come as Loscalzo tallied 14 points in the half as Hun jumped out to a 64-39 lead by intermission.

“My mindset tonight is the same as it always is, just bring energy to the team and keep boosting my teammates and just to help the team win,” said Loscalzo. “I just got it going, that is really it.”

Hun kept going, rolling to a 118-81 victory over the Blue Storm. Loscalzo ended the night with a season-best 21 points, leading the offensive explosion as 12 players scored for the Raiders.

“I love seeing the bench guys get in and score, I love those guys,” said the 6’1, 180-pound Loscalzo, who also had seven rebounds and five assists in the win. “It is perfect right before the postseason to get started.”

Transferring to Hun this year from Monsignor Farrell in Staten Island, Loscalzo has found a perfect fit.

“Since COVID happened, we didn’t have a full year so I came here to have a full year,” said Loscalzo, who contributed 10 points and a steal as the Raiders topped Friends Select (Pa.) 73-53 last Saturday in improving to 13-8. “I am living here, It has been amazing, I love it here.”

Loscalzo has enjoying having a year to compete with Raider senior star guards Jack Scott and Dan Vessey.

“I love playing with them, they are great passers, great shooters, and great scorers,” said Loscalzo.

As the top backcourt reserve, Loscalzo has looked to make a great contribution game in, game out.

“I think it has been pretty consistent, just coming off the bench, bringing energy and hitting some 3s,” said Loscalzo, who is averaging 4.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists a game this season. “That is really it.”

With third-seeded Hun slated to host sixth-seeded Pennington in the opening round of the Prep A tournament on February 15 and then heading to Blair Academy to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) tourney from February 18-20, Loscalzo believes the squad is poised for a big postseason run.

“We just have to keep playing hard defense and keep moving the ball on offense,” said Loscalzo. “If we do that, we will do fine in the postseason.