The Alternative Press

SUMMIT, N.J. - The New Providence Pioneer boys' basketball team ventured to Summit on Thursday night to play the Oratory Prep Rams.  New Providence (2 - 1) stormed back from a 13-point deficit late in the 3rd quarter to win, 59-49.

Bryan Sherman and Curtis Kyzima led the way with 15 points apiece for the Pioneers, while Jordan Morang scored 11 points and Kyle Kroeger contributed 10 points to the well balanced scoring attack.

Both teams played tight man-to-man defense, forcing numerous turnovers to occur and Orartory to shoot erratically.  

Pioneer head coach Art Cattano told his players to keep up the strong defensive pressure.

"We use a lot of players that wears down the other team," Cattano said. "At the end of the game we had a good mix of rebounders and ball handlers" said the veteran high school coach. The coach was impressed by Jordan Morang's rebounding efforts, Derek Singer's good defense, and the better offensive effort put forth late in the game."

The Rams jumped out to a 12-4 lead, as New Providence missed shot after shot with many of them from beyond the three-point arc. A late period run by the Pioneers, with Kyzima hitting two 3-point shots, tied the game at 14 at the end of the first period.

By the middle of the second quarter, the Rams used a combination of field goals and free throws to take a four-point lead.  However, the Pioneers came back in the last two minutes of the half to take a one point lead.

The third quarter saw Oratory take a commanding thirteen point lead.  With only 1:30 left to go, NP used a full court press to force several Ram turnovers to whittle its lead to eight. Kyzima hit a long 3-point shot right at the buzzer, which proved to be an example of things to come.

Constant defensive pressure by the Pioneers in the fourth quarter helped them get the ball back to score. 

In the middle of the last quarter a New Providence player blocked a short Oratory shot. Shortly thereafter,  a hard fought attempt by members of both teams at mid court seemed to ignite the Pioneer team to become more assertive on both ends of the court.

They utilized another full court press that led to a few steals and some easier shots that went in. As New Providence increased its lead late in the game, Oratory had to foul in an attempt to get the ball back, leading to six free throw points for the Pioneers. By the final buzzer, New Providence was on a 21-3 run, winning 59-49

New Providence returns to the floor on Wednesday when they face Millburn at Chatham High School.