Hopewell Valley-Ocean Township: Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state tournament is off and running in the Garden State as Groups 1 and 3 started on Monday. Hopewell Valley and Ocean Township played in an exciting opening-round game with the Spartans coming away with a 48-46 victory. Here are the standouts from the Hopewell Valley-Ocean Township game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1456866' first='Ron' last='Richardson'], 6'4 F Ocean Township 2025</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richardson had a strong game for the Spartans as he had a game-high 20 points. The 6'4 forward attacked the basket with a purpose as he finished through contact and traffic around the rim. Richardson was able to get position down low and showed off a nice touch on his free throws. He fought for rebounds on both ends of the floor and held his ground on the defensive end. Richardson is a physical forward prospect who will have to maintain his high level of play against Ewing in the sectional quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2335392' first='John' last='Michael Vlasac'], 6'2 W Hopewell Valley 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vlasac was instrumental to the Bulldogs throughout the game as he finished with a team-high 12 points. The 6'2 wing was unafraid of mixing it up down low as he finished through contact in the paint. Vlasac also knocked down a pair of jumpers and put the ball on the floor well. He scrapped for rebounds on both ends and dove on the floor for loose balls. Vlasac is a gritty wing prospect who should have a strong senior season for Hopewell Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411626' first='Zayier' last='Dean'], 5'10 PG Ocean Township 2025</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dean had a standout game for the Spartans as he ran the show for them. The 5'10 lefty was a blur in the open floor as he used his speed to blow by defenders, which was key for Ocean Township down the stretch. Dean was able to consistently get to the rim and did not get rattled by on-ball pressure. He ripped down rebounds and moved his feet on the defensive end. Dean is a speedy floor general who will be looking to carry over his play into the quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Mac Torpey, G Hopewell Valley 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Torpey played a key role for the Bulldogs as he provided them with spacing and defense on the perimeter. The junior guard set his feet before he shot and knocked down a pair of jumpers from behind the arc. Torpey moved well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open shots in the half court. He put the ball on the floor at times and worked hard on defense. Torpey's ability to knock down shots from behind the arc is something that will help his stock in a big way in 2023-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Keith Allen, G Ocean Township 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allen had a big second half for the Spartans as he hit big shots for them down the stretch. The junior guard was good on the boards as he grabbed eight rebounds as he helped secure big rebounds in the second half. Allen used his handle to get to his spot on the floor and rose up with confidence on his pull-up jumper. He played good defense and rarely made bad decisions with the ball in his hands. Allen's clutch play down the stretch will be key for Ocean Township as the Spartans move deeper into the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->