Open Gym: Haddonfield Memorial HS NJ – Colonial Conference –
The Bulldawgs of Haddonfield captured the NJSIAA Group 2 state championship last season and while some pundits like myself didn’t think they could get past Camden HS in the SJ Sectional they are not apologizing for doing so and winning the title. Coming into this season they lose just one starter and one top reserve and while this open gym was there first workout of the year and a few guys were missing this team clearly can not be taken lightly. HC Paul Wiedeman is highly regarded and Haddonfield has long been a South Jersey Group 2 power so I would expect nothing less than a vigorous defense of their championship in the coming season.
The Backcourt:
In his last go round before heading off to IUPUI where he will realize his dream of playing D-1 basketball 5’11” ’19 Mike DePersia will lead this group of Bulldawgs in their quest to repeat in Group 2. With a super tight handle and an uncanny ability to drive opponents crazy with his penetration moves and on the money feeds he is the unquestioned leader on this team. His perimeter jump shot is one more thing opponents have to worry about as he can knock down three balls or midrange pull ups and is a very good foul shooter as well. But the one thing I like about his game more than anything is his team first mentality and ability to get his guys to find their rhythm and stay consistently engaged in making the right plays. He’ll have help in returnees 6’4” ’19 Aidan Blake a national top 100 Lacrosse player who will be playing that sport in college but is a very good basketball player as well with good hops and solid ball skills who is also a competent shooter and returning starter and 5’11” ’19 Lewis Evans a football player who was a valuable reserve last season and will contribute this year as a solid defender and scrappy all around guy. Neither was present at the open gym due to their respective sports but with official practice not beginning until November 19th they’ll have time to work themselves into basketball shape. Another potential contributor should be 6’1” ’19 Andrew Jostovich who is starting to come on as a secondary ball handler with decent floor vision and a developing outside jumper.
The Frontcourt:
Two starters return up front as well for Haddonfield. 6’8” ’19 Dan Fleming missed a huge chunk of July with an injury but looks healthy and ready to go. He has decent touch on the block and looks like he’s gotten bigger in his upper body to withstand contact down low and with an improving jump shot to help balance his game I expect he’ll be more of a scoring threat this season. Rowan University was here to check up on him and he mentioned that a few more schools both D-II and D-III have been inquiring about him as well. The other returning starter is 6’5” ’19 Dylan Heine who bangs down low for rebounds and plays good defense as well as being an opportunistic scorer who doesn’t hesitate to hustle after loose balls and turn them into points versus an opponent he can catch napping. 6’6” ’20 Ben Cerrato showed promise last year before getting behind due to injury but now that he’s fully recovered he looks primed to insert himself into a major contributing role as a wing scorer with a smooth jumper with range to the arc and some quick driving moves to the basket which should add to his ability to help this team defend their Group 2 chip. 6’4” ’19 Luke Gallagher is another guy who looks eager to get on the floor and give Coach Wiedeman some solid minutes making hustle plays from rebounding to setting screens and playing tough defense. Of course they may also get some help from the football team in the frontcourt but that remains to be determined.
Outlook:
When you’re the defending champs you generally have a target on your back but with a senior laden roster I think this Haddonfield squad can win their conference and earn a high seed in the Group 2 South Jersey sectional. The Bulldawgs have lots of experience which could lead them to being named the favorites in SJ Group 2 and I could see a rematch with Camden looming as the hurdle they must clear to have a shot at defending their state title. The season of course is a long way off as it is still September but with Coach Wiedeman calling the shots on the sideline and Mike DePersia handling the PG duties for a veteran cast and I have to like their chances of producing another banner year. The key may be for them to avoid that target on their backs from being hit which is easier said than done.