TYME TO SHINE: Hun School boys’ basketball player Drae Tyme heads to the hoop in a game last season. Senior forward Tyme, who also stars at football, will be looking to give Hun some muscle in the paint. The Raiders start their 2024-25 campaign by hosting Malvern Prep (Pa.) on November 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Hun School boys’ basketball team rounds into shape for the upcoming season, adding some muscle from the school’s dominant football program should give it some more punch.

“We have got three football players, they are getting into the fray pretty quickly here,” said Hun head coach Jon Stone, who guided the Raiders to a 10-14 record last winter. “There is a lot of energy, there is a lot of enthusiasm. It is a really good group.”

Hun will be getting a jolt of energy in the backcourt from sophomore transfer Blake Hargrove.

“We have a new player, Blake, who is excellent,” said Stone, whose team tips off its season by hosting Malvern Prep (Pa.) on November 30. “He is a really strong two-way player. His defense is excellent, he is really quick and strong. He has the ability to get assists and score as well. He is going to be a really good addition for us.”

Two battle-tested veterans, senior AJ Mickens and junior Sage Mateo, figure to give the Raiders some strong play at guard.

“AJ has experience, he has got talent, and he has got skill; we will certainly be looking to him to help lead the way,” said Stone, who will also be using junior Eshan Kulkarni and senior Jasai Vargas in the backcourt. “Sage really grew last year, he had some really good moments. He has only gotten better, he has gotten a lot stronger physically. He is really starting to take his game to the next level, which is great to see.”

Senior newcomer Evan Brown provides versatility as a swing player.

“Evan is a wing, he is about 6’4 — he is very thick, he is built like a linebacker,” said Stone. “He is going to be a really good addition as well. He will be in the mix with the guards and the rotation. He is a college basketball player for sure. He is really athletic and strong.”

At forward, senior Drae Tyme, a star tight end who is headed to Holy Cross to play for its football program, will be adding some inside punch to the mix.

“Drae is a big part of what we did last year, we are super excited to have him back,” said Stone. “I joke around with him, saying he can play college basketball if he wants to. Drae is a great leader and a really strong presence for us. He has improved a lot as a basketball player as well. He is bigger and stronger for sure. He just been doing a really, really good job for us. He is very, very steady.”

Two other football players, juniors Luke Wafle and Seth Clarke, should be a strong presence for the Raiders in the paint.

“Luke got hurt in football last year and he was playing through it,” said Stone, who noted that sophomore transfer Julian Van Hoeck will also be seeing time at forward. “He played five games for us. He got it looked at, got an MRI and had surgery. He is a specimen, he is tremendous. We are excited to have Luke back. We have another football player, Seth, who is new to the school this year. He is 6’3 and is just a really good physical presence. He also has a lot of skill around the basket with both hands. He is a good defender. He will certainly be in the mix a lot up front.”

Looking ahead to the season, Stone believes his squad’s strength in the frontcourt should make it formidable.

“Some of the keys for us are going to be getting the ball into the paint, whether it is posting up or just penetrating,” said Stone. “I think if we can get it inside, either by dribble or pass, it is going to open up a lot for us. We have some good shooters again. We have to play well at the defensive end. I am really excited about the year — I can’t wait for the first game.”