Defense has been its calling card all season.
Allowing just 36 points per game, it’s the defensive intensity that has fueled the offense and allowed Haddonfield to enjoy significant success this winter.
“Intensity on defense. That’s been our message all year,” junior guard Sam Narducci said.
“Our defense sparks our offense. We love to play in transition and that comes first with making stops. After that, everything just falls into place.”
Having scored just 11 points in the first half and staring at an eight-point deficit, Haddonfield leaned on its defense yet again Saturday. The Haddons opened the third quarter with 10 unanswered points - starting with 3-balls from Ted Bond and Zach Langan - and took a lead into the fourth they would never relinquish.
Forcing five turnovers and Narducci picking up three steals in the third, Haddonfield went on to secure a 37-31 victory over No. 20 Moorestown in the Holy Cross Prep Showcase.
“All it took was one or two threes to start the second half. It got us going and our bench was electric” Narducci added.
Haddonfield (20-3) extended its winning streak to 14 in a row.
“Defense is everything. We’re a good shooting team, but some games we can’t hit shots,” junior guard Daire Roddy said. “With defense, we keep ourselves in every game.”
Haddonfield held Moorestown (15-5) to 11 second-half points, outscoring the Quakers 13-2 in the third.
“We knew if we took a couple of their options away and tweaked our defense up top, it’d hurt them a little bit,” Haddonfield coach Paul Wiedeman said. “We’ve been pushing the ball a little bit faster in transition, but our defense has always stayed the same. Deflections, loose balls, frustrating teams … Defense has been our calling card.”
Patrick Ryan was the only player to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points and grabbing nine rebounds for the winners. Narducci had eight points, two boards, two assists and five steals, while Roddy chipped in with three rebounds, four assists and three steals.
David Gheysens had eight points for Moorestown. Lamar Davis, Josh Byrd and Ryan Lynch added six apiece.
“A tale of two halves. We came out sharp in the first half, they were sharp in the second,” Moorestown coach Shawn Anstey said. “They won that game in the first two minutes of the third quarter. We didn’t get many open looks or second chances. They came out in the second half and took it to us.”
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Kevin Minnick covers South Jersey boys basketball. He can be reached at kminnick@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kminnicksports
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