Star-studded class honored at Mercer Hoops HoF ceremony
WEST WINDSOR » Just as he did on the basketball courts of Mercer County and Seton Hall, Nick Werkman stole the show at the inaugural Mercer County Basketball Hall of Fame event.
Werkman was joined by Dahntay Jones, Emil Wandishin, Kate Larkin, Norm Van Arsdalen, Hollis Copeland, Fr. Clarence O’Shea, Vicky Picott, Greg Grant and The Trentonian’s George O’Gorman as the initial class in the Hall of Fame.
The event drew a packed house at Mercer Oaks and each inductee put forth a great message of what it meant to be inducted, the perseverance and dedication it took to reach this pinnacle and a deep gratefulness for all the support along the way.
Werkman, who played for Fr. Clarence at Trenton Catholic before becoming the nation’s leading scorer at Seton Hall and was known as Nick “The Quick”, joked about not being too quick anymore.
Known for his ability to shoot the ball, he did mention there was a time, just once though, that he did pass the ball and that was to the official. He spoke of the old days of Trenton playing basketball at Franklin Park and in the ’Burg.’
Some of the most inspirational comments came from Greg Grant.
Grant spoke of the struggles he faced and the ups and downs in life until he realized life is what you make it. Coming off a great career at Trenton High and after leaving one college and working in a fish market he remembered his dream was to play professional basketball.
After getting accepted at Trenton State, now The College of New Jersey, he put together arguably the greatest career in Division III basketball and reached his dream when he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns.
A two-time All-America player, Grant remarked that every time he’d get an award his mom would always say how proud she was of him.
In an emotional moment, he told his mom how proud he was of her and he presented her with his Hall of Fame plaque.
Committee member Ann DeMille remarked about all the history in the room and the one who wrote about that history was O’Gorman.
O’Gorman spoke of his love covering local sports and how for him it was never really a job. His career has spanned over 50 years as he began writing for the Monitor while still in high school. Many inductees thanked O’Gorman, known simply as Oge, for his coverage over the years and how they looked forward to seeing his story in The Trentonian.
Jones spoke of how blessed he was to have been given the opportunities he was at Steinert then at Duke and to have achieved the highest level in basketball by winning an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
St. Anthony/McCorristin’s Kate Larkin and Hightstown’s Vicky Picott spoke of the support they received as they brought the girls game into prominence.
Emil Wandishin and Hollis Copeland headed up the Ewing inductees. Copeland called Wandishin, “the greatest coach I ever had.”
Throughout their careers, Wandishin and Copeland were the epitome of class and it was magnified in their remarks.
Bob Plumeri accepted for the late Fr. Clarence and he spoke of the greatness of the man on and off the court. He referenced an article legendary Trentonian and Trenton Times writer, Bus Saidt, who is in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and an article he wrote on O’Shea’s passing.
Norm Van Arsdalen has officiated basketball games all over the world and he stated it was working games in Mercer County that gave him the greatest joy
The Hall of Fame committee was led by Gary Bushelli with the support of Linda Weise, Shelly Dearden, Bob Pugh, Bill Quirk and Ann DeMille. Bob Plumeri, left, stands with former Hightstown High athletic director Gary Bushelli, right, while holding the plaque for Fr. Clarence O’Shea, who was one of the inductees into the inaugural Mercer County Basketball Hall of Fame.