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 (Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption:
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Hun Boys' Hoops Has Weapons To Survive the Prep A Battles
By Bill Alden
With New Jersey's Prep A boys' basketball having risen to national prominence by virtue of the big name players it has produced, the Hun School boys' basketball team faces a battle nearly every game.
This year, two recent Prep A products, Luol Deng of Blair and J.R. Smith of St. Benedict's, are in the NBA with Deng playing for the Chicago Bulls and Smith on the New Orleans Hornets.
Last season's Prep A champion, Lawrenceville, was led by Joakim Noah, who is currently playing with the University of Florida.
Rising to the challenge, Hun has more than held its own in such high-powered competition, advancing to the Prep A semifinals in each of the last two seasons.
This winter, the Raiders, who went 16-7 last year, have the weapons to be in the title mix yet again.
"I think that we are pretty versatile," said Hun head coach Jon Stone, whose team tips off the season by playing at Life Center Academy on December 3.
"We can go smaller and quicker at times and we can also put a bigger lineup on the court. We have guys who can do a lot of different things. We can win any game we play but we can also lose just about any game on our schedule."
Stone has two returning senior starters in Leo Nolan and Charlie Fritsch, who should help Hun win more games than it loses.
The 6'7 Nolan is showing signs of following in the considerable footsteps of Noah Savage, a former Hun star who is currently starting for Princeton University as a freshman.
"Leo has really improved a lot, he's becoming more like Noah everyday," said Stone of the forward who has committed to play his college ball at Columbia. "He has a good work ethic and he has versatility. He can shoot the three-pointer and he can post people up."
Fritsch, whose brother Nathan starred for Hun two seasons ago, appears ready to emerge as a star.
"Charlie has improved greatly," added Stone, a basketball star at Colgate during his college days. "He's shooting the ball well and he's solid on defense."
Other veterans who should see time for the Raiders include seniors Christopher Lloyd and Kevin Michel.
Hun boasts two post-graduate stars, Gary Garris and Geoff Rizk, who should make a major impact.
Garris is a 6-4 swingman who has already committed to play for American University next season. "Gary is similar to Tim Pounds from last year's team," explained Stone, who is in his fifth year at the helm of the Hun program. "He's extremely athletic, he covers the court in a hurry."
The 6'1 Rizk is a point guard who will be taking over the ball-handling duties for the graduated Mingus Murray. "Geoff is very steady," said Stone. "He is strong and tough."
Other newcomers who could get minutes for Hun this winter include juniors Myron Rolle, Stash Maziarz, Jake Ballarotto, Christian Richardson, Brian Kendrick, and Ross Trampler together with sophomore Idris Hilliard.
Stone acknowledges that his team is a work in progress. "At this point our defense is better," maintained Stone. "The offense has a long way to go; we're still putting in stuff. I think we have to work hard."
Stone is looking to instill a focus as his charges master his offensive and defensive approach. "We have to take each game as it comes, we can't look too far ahead or behind," declared Stone.
"I don't think we're going to go undefeated and I don't think we'll be winless. We have to be able to compete. It's a great group of guys, they are fun to coach. I can see that they are already jelling off the court and that's important."
If Hun can jell on the court, it could be one of the top dogs in the Prep A pecking order.
