High Point looks for strong hoop season

WANTAGE — So many ingredients are thrown into the mix when one really takes a critical look as to what it takes to win a basketball game at the high school varsity level, especially when the two teams competing on the court are close to the same talent-wise and both have the equal desire to be victorious.
For example, the squad who wants to have more points on the scoreboard once that final buzzer sounds should display constant, stingy defense and have the ability to find the right person to take the right shot at the right time from the right spot on the floor.
Further, it would be advisable to take advantage of the opposition’s mistakes and limit turnovers when in possession of the basketball.
It’s certainly no easy task, which is why teams such as the High Point High School boy’s basketball program are working so hard to help ensure that they give their best effort possible from the opening tip-off to the end of each and every game.
After finishing just below double digits in wins last season (nine), the Wildcats were anxious to get the 2017-2018 regular underway-as they have a seemingly good mixture of returning student-athletes as well as newcomers to the varsity lineup ready to show that their hard work in the preseason will pay dividends.
Key returnees for High Point include Jason Maikis (senior), Luke Steinman (senior), Jake Liscinsky (junior), Tighe Tubito (junior) and Ryan Scymanski (junior).
Promising newcomers for the Wildcats include Ethan Schipper (junior), Matt Carter (junior), Raekae Millan (junior), Travis Tallamy (sophomore), Landis French (sophomore), Will Mason (sophomore), DJ Bassani (sophomore) and Connor Lake (sophomore).
“We will be looking to our seniors, Jason Maikis and Luke Steinman for leadership,’’ High Point head coach Jesse Strehl said. “We also need some new leaders to emerge as the season moves along.
The Wildcats play in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division along with Sussex Tech, Hackettstown, Lenape Valley and Vernon.’’
“We are always trying to win our Division, but we know we have some tough teams to compete against," Strehl said. “Hackettstown and Newton have been the teams to beat. Lenape Valley and Vernon will also be improved."
High Point has a home game scheduled versus Vernon on January 3.
NOTES: Tubito led the way with 22 points and Maikis and Liscinsky added 18 and 12 points, respectively, as High Point won their season opener, 62-56, at Sussex Tech.