How Hightstown can Repeat as CVC Regular Season Champions

<p>The CVC was filled with talented players with Conference Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="926737" first="RJ" last="Weise"] </strong>heading to Rider as a preferred walk-on. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933645" first="Brandon" last="Raba"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933639" first="Ryan" last="Smith"]</strong> are skilled players who led their teams to over 20 wins respectively in Nottingham and Robbinsville. While all three teams had good seasons, it was Hightstown who took home the regular season. The Rams lost nine seniors from that championship winning team, but head coach Don DeLeo has the depth to take home another CVC title.</p> <p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1017709" first="Spencer" last="Kenny"]</strong> returns to carry some of the scoring load for the Rams. The 6’4 wing can handle the ball on the perimeter and finish around the basket. Kenny is unafraid of drawing contact around the basket and has a nice release on his jumper. He is a leader on the floor for the Rams and is ready for more responsibilities on the team. Kenny is not the only senior who should have a strong senior campaign as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1012988" first="Ali" last="Ahmed"] </strong>is slated to have a big year.</p> <p>The 6’3 wing has a strong frame which he uses to finish tough shots through traffic. Ahmed is a good athlete as he has the ability to finish above the rim. He is a tough rebounder on both ends of the floor and is unafraid to give up his body for loose balls. Ahmed’s toughness will be huge for a Rams’ team that needs an interior presence on the defensive end. The graduation of <strong>Nicky Desmond</strong>, <strong>Ben Simon</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896672" first="Daron" last="Pierre"]</strong> leaves holes in the backcourt, but the Rams have a lot of talent there.</p> <p>Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1027935" first="Ayden" last="Hogan"]</strong> has had a strong summer, which should translate into a good 2020-21 season. The 6’2 guard has a good handle and is capable of blowing by his defender in the halfcourt. Hogan has a good release on his jumper and is capable of getting hot from the perimeter. He is capable of running the offense in a pinch and plays good on-ball defense. Hogan is ready for a breakout junior season, but he is not the only Rams guard capable of breaking out this season.</p> <p>Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1045873" first="Keenan" last="Reiss"] </strong>is a crafty lead guard with the ability to break down his defender off the bounce. He has a tight handle and is a good finisher around the basket. Reiss is more than just a driver as he can hot from behind the arc and has a nice release on his jumper. He is an underrated passer and works hard on the defensive end. Reiss should burst onto the scene in 2020-21 as he helps Hogan run the show for the Rams.</p> <p>Newcomers <strong>Ethan Simmons </strong>and <strong>Robert Eaves</strong> are good additions to the squad as they provide DeLeo with more depth. The latter is a St. Joe’s Metuchen transfer who should slot in nicely alongside Hogan and Reiss in the backcourt. Simmons has the ability to beat his man off the dribble, knock down jumpers and play solid defense. Eaves has a strong frame, which he uses to finish around the rim and play solid post defense. His ability to play on both ends of the floor makes him the perfect choice to play alongside Ahmed and Kenny.</p> <p>Guards <strong>Rohan Cukkemane </strong>and <strong>Alex Feyas</strong> are tough guards capable of running the offense in a pinch. They can beat their defenders off the bounce and play solid on-ball defense. Throw in <strong>Jordan Shropshire-Sands </strong>and <strong>Rozan Alfred </strong>and the Rams have a solid squad capable of winning a lot of games. Hightstown is a team to watch in the CVC as the Rams have the potential to repeat as regular season champions.</p>