Raba has ’Stars poised for deep state run
Despite a banner basketball season identified as the best ever by many, a contingent of Nottingham High Northstars boys gazers felt coach Chris Raba’s hoop squad needed a signature win for confirmation. Stepping into a CURE Insurance Arena against Trenton Catholic Academy (17-9) a difficult basketball team with an extensive pedigree including a 20092010 Tournament of Champions belt, meant Nottingham would leave as court masters or court jesters.
Nottingham climbed out of a halftime dungeon, trailed 34-22, and claimed a 60-59 Mercer County Tournament boys basketball championship that no doubt had Northstars fans in post-game appointments with local manicurists.
Nail-biter offers no justice for an MCT instant classic as Darell Johnson found himself stymied in the lane then discovered Cliff Joseph barnstorming the baseline toward the basket.
Joseph scored an emphatic layup with 5.3 seconds remaining and the amazing Nottingham (232) technicolor dream season added a first-ever MCT championship in the county event’s 35-year history.
Johnson, a 6-5 forward/ center with dribbling acumen and shooting skills from beyond the 3-point arc, had been subject matter for basketball cognoscenti after he collected three of his allotted fouls with 1:09 left in the first half.
“I know my use of Darell, of playing him in the second quarter, has been questioned, that it could backfire but I have tremendous trust and belief in him. So, (Thursday) night represented a situation that we have faced over the past three years. Darell gets in foul trouble yet still manages to stay in the game and not only play but play well,” Raba praised.
“Even our last play, I thought Darell had a shot but he found Cliff and we got the winning basket. He’s unselfish. Darell has an excellent basketball IQ. And we have some excellent basketball players who have spent countless hours in the gym, working out and doing everything necessary for success. People see the finished product but not the time spent working on their game. We’re good because our players have dedication,” Raba explained.
Basketball fans witnessed Johnson collect his fourth foul against TCA guard Quashawn Lane with 6:38 left in the game.
Johnson, a game-high scorer with 22 points, came out momentarily then returned shortly afterward as Raba admitted his team needed his presence.
TCA led 54-47 when Raba reinserted Johnson.
“I had told Darell that if we got behind by more than five, that he was going back in. We couldn’t win this game without him,” Raba admitted.
As usual, Nottingham benefited from their big three arsenal of Johnson, Richie Jones (16 points) Joseph (14), ultimate court hustler Kastro Montina and a cast of bench players who understand their roles.
Jones made a trey to narrow the score to 54-50. Lane and Jones traded layups for 56-52 then Johnson and Joseph made layups to tie at 56 at 1:14.
TCA guard EJ Evans banged a three-point shot for a 59-56 edge. Johnson as leading scorer made another inside shot before the Northstars turned over the Iron Mikes with 19 seconds left.
Raba thought unfair an assessment that his team might be judged by the TCA result.
“Look at what they have done over the past two years: broke the school record for wins twice; reached an MCT semifinal then won the championship; and reached a Group III sectional final for the first time. Anytime you win against (coach) Fred Falchi is an accomplishment,” Raba said.
“Let’s wait and see what the future holds,” Raba said as the Northstars, a Central Jersey Group III No. 2 seed, hosts an opening state playoff game Monday (7 p.m.) against No. 15 Jackson Liberty High (10-17).
Just for the record, world-class basketball funny men Harlem Globetrotters visit CURE Insurance Arena on March 3, 2018 at 2 p.m.
Nottingham High boys basketball squad, pardon the language — Ain’t no joke.