Feb. 8, 2019
By Carley Martin
Editor
Despite a tough 43-78 loss on Jan. 5 against Dwight Englewood High School, the boys basketball team improved its record in a 59-26 victory at an away game against Harrison High School on Jan. 15.
Notching 14 points, Senior Captain Sid Das led the way for the Golden Bears. Das said the boys started off slowly, but in the second quarter, he hit a three pointer, and from there, the Golden Bears’ momentum did not falter.
“Having a promising record in the league, all of the teams are out to beat us. We have to be ready to play from the first whistle. It took us about a quarter-and-a-half to really find our rhythm, but once we did, we were unstoppable,” Das said.
He said since the team did not qualify for counties, the players have set their sights on doing well at the Bergen Interscholastic Tournament, which consists of all Bergen County teams that did not have a winning percentage of .650 to compete in counties.
At this tournament, which will take place on Feb. 4, the Golden Bears will be facing off against rival North Arlington High School.
“I am looking forward to the BIT tournament because we will have an opportunity to play beatable teams with similar records to ours,” Das said.
To be successful, Das said the team needs to bring its fast-paced playing style to the tournament and focus on making shots.
“We have to continue pushing the ball up the court to gain easy and quick baskets that put us ahead early. We have great shooters on our team, so we have to make our open shots,” Das said.
Senior Billy McMann transferred from Christ the King Preparatory School in Newark at the start of the school year. Since he is a transfer student, McMann had to sit 30 days from the start of the season. Therefore, the Harrison game marked the start of his competitive season.
With strong skills and wise decision-making on the court, McMann was offered the chance to be the starting point guard at the Harrison game.
“It was awful sitting the 30 days,” McMann said. “The only good part of it was the motivation it gave me to work harder and prove myself.”
He said since he played travel basketball for Lyndhurst from fourth through eighth grades, he was already familiar with his teammates’ playing styles.
“I am a traditional pass first point guard who can shoot as well. My mindset going into every game is to play with a lot of intensity and confidence,” McMann said.
Hoping to attend John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City next year, he intends to continue playing basketball while he pursues a bachelor’s degree.
“Basketball is my favorite sport. I have been playing for about nine years, and I play on a few [Amateur Athletic Union] teams. Any opportunity I get to continue my basketball career, I will take with open arms,” McMann said.
Sophomore Nick Morelli, who attends all of the Golden Bears’ basketball games to support his friends, said McMann is a vital addition to the team.
“We never really had a set point guard, so with Billy, we will handle and move the ball better,” Morelli said.
Morelli said he is looking forward to the rest of the season because he believes the team can only improve from here.
“I am so excited to watch the boys succeed with their new point guard. With a great coach and strong players, the sky’s the limit for them,” said Morelli.
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