High Point basketball expects challenge

WANTAGE — It’s not exactly a hidden fact that the High Point High School boy’s basketball program won’t just face a few, but rather many top notch opponents on the court this winter.
Indeed, the challenges will be there for the Wildcats and it’s unavoidable. But what’s encouraging is the winning attitude collectively carried by the Wildcats as they begin the regular season — and why not?
The Wildcats return a solid core of student-athletes from a team that recorded 12 victories and advanced to the NJSIAA North 1 Group 2 Sectional Tournament last year as the No. 13 seed where they were defeated by fourth seeded Lodi.
Among the key returning players for High Point include Tighe Tubito (senior, forward), Ethan Schipper (senior, guard) and Jacob Liscinsky (senior, guard).
Promising newcomers looking to be of positive influence on the varsity level include Brendan Franko (sophomore, guard), Connor Lake (junior, guard), Travis Tallamy (junior, forward) and Raekae Millan (senior, forward).
“Naturally we are looking for our seniors to provide leadership this season, but we are also empowering all of our players to lead in some capacity this year regardless of grade level or playing experience,’’ High Point head coach Jesse Strehl said.
The Wildcats compete in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference.
“We want to be the toughest team in our league this year," Strehl said. “We are in a very competitive Division. Every year we believe we can contend if we prepare the right way and play together as a team."
High Point is scheduled to open the regular season with a road game at home versus Wallkill Valley on Dec. 14. From there, they have back to back road challenges at Parsippany Hills and Newton on Dec. 17 and Dec. 19, respectively. They return home to meet Kinnelon on December 21.
“They set up the Divisions this year based on strength of program," Strehl said. “We are in the upper Division with Jefferson, Hackettstown, Newton, Lenape Valley, and Wallkill Valley so we know that all of the teams we face are going to be good teams."