By Sam Lawler ‘19, Sports Editor

Note: Stats are courtesy of NJ.com and are accurate through games played through Jan. 22.

Prior to this season, expectations for the boys’ basketball team were higher than they’ve been in previous years. The class of 2019–which is seen by many to be a top-tier guard-wing-forward trio in the state of New Jersey in Will Mulligan, Nate Perrello, and Will Hutchinson–are now all senior captains, looking to have their best seasons to date. The Minutemen are also expecting many talented underclassmen such as freshman Chase Clark and sophomores Alex Fishbone and Chris Mulligan to contribute in big ways. Former head coach and Summit High School standout David Newton was not invited to return to the program after a tumultuous two years with the team, and former North 13th Street Tech coach Deon Mingo was brought in to rejuvenate the Minutemen.

Right now, that rejuvenation is still a work in progress, but the adjustments made from Newton to Mingo are already beginning to show. After a strong 4-1 start, highlighted by a Will Mulligan game-winning buzzer-beater against the Oratory Rams, and winning the Oratory Prep Holiday Tournament over winter break, the Minutemen cooled down, but they’re starting to heat up again. They’re 5-3 in their last eight outings, bringing their record to 8-4 on the year. The Minutemen are 6-3 in conference play, putting them at 4th in their division of eight teams, behind Arts, Caldwell, and Belleville. NA has already played those schools, losing to Arts 63-52, losing two close games to Caldwell, and beating Belleville behind a Will Hutchinson double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds).

What’s behind the earlier success, and what’s holding the team back from getting even better? The coaching change does seem to play a role, with new hire Deon Mingo being showered with praise by his players when interviewed. Will Mulligan ‘19 (11.9 points per game, 3.7 assists per game, 4.1 rebounds per game) called Mingo “intense” but able to “get the best out of his players,” citing Mingo’s decision to put the words ‘Buy In’ on the back of their practice pinnies as “what he’s all about.”

Coach Mingo’s confidence and intensity has been contagious. “The culture of the team is so much better than it was last year,” Mulligan said. “This year, all of us have a belief that we are good and can compete with any team we play….our energy during practice and games has drastically changed from last year.”

“He always pushes us,” said Alex Fishbone (3.9 points per game and 2.4 assists per game). “We’re a more physical team [than we were last year].”

Mingo isn’t just an expert motivator, though. The former East Orange High School and Bloomfield College star is a savant from an X’s and O’s standpoint, too. According to team manager and self-proclaimed #1 hype-man Pierce Henderson ‘19, the Minutemen “have improved drastically in scoring and defensive ability and creating easy offense from good defense.” Henderson knows the recent NA basketball teams better than any non-player, and he is adamant that “the team has performed much, much better in comparison to previous years.”

Rebounding and physicality, in large part thanks to 6’7” center Will Hutchinson ‘19, has been another bright spot for the team. Hutchinson is averaging 13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game through 12 contests. 6’3” freshman Chase Clark has also provided a spark off the bench from the center position, averaging the most blocks (1.5) and the second-most rebounds on the team (5.3), while also averaging the most points for a non-starter (6.7).

Of course, there are some struggles to be dealt with for any team in the early-goings of a season. Free throw shooting has been the demise so far for the Minutemen; Will Mulligan and Alex Fishbone agreed that “making free throws in close games” is what the team needs to work on most.

The boys’ team has just a few more regular season games left, including a February 12th revenge game against Arts, in what could possibly be a battle for first place in the SEC-Freedom Division. The Minutemen now must hope for continued improvement, no injuries (knock on wood), and more W’s.