BIG MAC: Hun School boys’ basketball player Mac Kelly heads to the hoop in a game last winter. Senior guard Kelly starred as Hun posted two wins over Malvern Prep (Pa.) and Germantown Academy (Pa.) before the holiday break to improve to 5-5. Getting the 2024 portion of their schedule underway, the Raiders host the Pennington School on January 4, the Solebury School (Pa.) on January 6, and West Nottingham Academy (Md.) on January 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In his second season with the Hun School boys’ basketball team, Mac Kelly has been taking command of the squad’s backcourt.

With standout guards Dan Vessey and Anthony Loscalzo having graduated after starring last winter, senior standout Kelly is shouldering more responsibility this winter.

“Last year was my first year here, I was trying to transition and be a point guard,” said Kelly. “We have got a lot of new guys and I am just trying to do my best with finding a balance between being a scorer and being a point guard. As your time goes on here, naturally your role on a team is going to get bigger and bigger. I am just trying to do my best to handle that.”

As Hun wrapped up the 2023 portion of its schedule by hosting Germantown Academy (Pa.) on December 19, Kelly played a big role as the Raiders pulled out a 68-65 win, scoring 22 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 20 seconds left and two free throws in the waning seconds to seal the deal.

“I didn’t shoot it well tonight, towards the end of the game I was just trying to get the best looks for our guys,” said Kelly. “Luckily those guys did a great job setting screens and getting me open and I was able to stick them.”

On the game-winner, Kelly worked his way open to get a good look beyond the arc.

“That is actually a set play, they knew I was coming off a double screen a lot all night,” said Kelly. “I told coach (Jon Stone), ‘Hey look, they know a double is coming, let’s set one on the other side.’ Sam [Wright] set a great screen, and I was able to come off and hit a three.”

With Hun coming off a 64-63 win over previously undefeated Malvern Prep (Pa.) three days earlier, rallying from being down 65-63 late against Germantown was a confidence builder for the Raiders as they improved to 5-5.

“We have been there a few times this year, we have led games from start to finish and we have had our trouble late,” said Kelly. “We are learning as the season has gone on. To see us not break tonight and stick with it and get it done is encouraging. We have blown some leads and it would have been very discouraging to do it again. It is great to have a win going into a break.”

As the season goes on, Kelly is determined to get it done offensively.

“I just try to stay a three-level scorer,” said Kelly. “I try to get to the rim, I try to get to my pull up, and I try to shoot the three the best I can. I am just trying to shoot it at a high percentage so that when I do take those shots they go in.”

Hun head coach Jon Stone credited his team with showing grit as it built a 38-26 halftime lead and then had to overcome a furious rally by the Patriots.

“Every team on our schedule is good and tough, we have got be ready to play every night,” said Stone. “We have had a lot of games like that where we have started well with good energy. Today we lost some of that energy, it slipped a little bit yet we still had enough to make it happen.”

Stone credited Kelly with making good things happen. “He made tough shots, he made shots when the whole play broke down and we weren’t running anything,” said Stone of Kelly. “The shot at the end was certainly big time. He has just been tremendous all year long. He has been consistent, we are glad he is on our team.”

Senior guard Derrick Melvin also had a big game against Germantown, totaling 14 points, including an 11-point outburst in the second quarter.

“Melvin was tremendous, he plays so hard,” said Stone. “There are times when I just can’t take him off the floor because of how hard he plays. He is just so active; he can shoot and get baskets around the rim.”

The trio of junior Drae Tyme, junior AJ Mickens, and senior Markus Brown were also active in the win over the Patriots.

“Drae always gives us constant energy, he had like 10 rebounds in the beginning of the game,” said Stone. “Mickens had some really nice drives and a couple of nice baskets. Markus gave us some great pop off the bench, he was really effective for us. It was a really good team effort and I am glad that we got the win.”

With Hun getting the 2024 portion of its schedule underway by hosting the Pennington School on January 4, the Solebury School (Pa.) on January 6, and West Nottingham Academy (Md.) on January 9, Stone is hoping his squad can build on that effort.

“It is always nice going into break with a win; hopefully we will stay together and we will be ready to go after the New Year,” said Stone. “I want them to continue to grow together and continue to learn. We clearly have a lot to learn. I tell our guys it is always a lot more fun learning when you win. We need to continue to learn and grow from our mistakes. I think we will. This is a very coachable group, they listen and they are accountable.”

In Kelly’s view, the Raiders can grow into something special.

“We have a league game right away so for us, it is keep going with this two-game win streak and continuing to build,” said Kelly. “We don’t want to be who we are in January, we want to be our best self in February.”