Colonia and Metuchen All-Stars Show All-Around Game
WOODBRIDGE, NJ–In the game of basketball, big men are usually known for their post play. Dominating the paint with power layups, dunks, rebounds, and blocks, centers and power forwards are not recognized for passing or shooting. All-Stars like Colonia’s Charlie Caver and Metuchen’s Hunter Clarke show such versatility.
Caver and Clarke demonstrated such progress with their passing skills during the recent GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game at Woodbridge High School. Times are changing in the sport though with more players looking to broaden their game. Take a look at this year’s NCAA Tournament where Final Four participant, Wisconsin, is being led by a 7 footer Frank Kaminsky, who can score both in the paint, and from beyond the arc.
Similar traits are being demonstrated close to home in the Greater Middlesex Conference with the likes of Karl Anthony Towns of St. Joseph’s. Over the past three seasons, the Kentucky bound big man has been among the GMC leaders in three pointers as well as a dominant player down low. Caver and Clarke are further examples of big men developing a more all around game.
Exhibiting a Variety of Skills
There were the usual interior players like Jordan Lackey of Piscataway Tech (6 points on 3 dunks and 4 rebounds) and Piscataway’s Joe Hines (6 points and 8 boards), who played their typical game. On the other hand, Caver and Clarke both exhibited a variety of skills during the course of the contest.
Earlier in the month, Caver was the hero for the Patriots (4 blocks and 2 FTs in the final 30 seconds) in their quarterfinal win against Irvington in the 2014 North Jersey Section 2 Group III state playoffs. In the 2014 GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game, he was a stat stuffer deluxe as college hoops analyst, Clark Kellogg would say.
Playing for the Black Team, Caver collected 4 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal. Meanwhile, Clarke countered with 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block to contribute to the White Team’s victory. During this past season, only Clarke showed a superb ability of passing out of the post.
Superb Passing Ability
Early in the season, Clarke impressed with his court awareness and passing ability in Metuchen’s holiday tournament. Clarke’s kickouts to teammates Evan Collier and Artie Flaherty Jr. for threes from the wings lifted Metuchen past Bernards. Simultaneously, Caver didn’t demonstrate his passing capability much during the 2013-14 campaign.
Statistically not known for his passing, Colonia’s Caver only dished 4 assists all season according to nj.com. Caver handed out 1.5 times that amount in the All-Star game. Caver still indicated tremendous unselfishness by getting the ball to the likes of Marques Townes (17 points), Sky Harris (22 points), and Owen McLeod (19 points).
Both Caver and Clarke still shined on defense by combining for the game’s only three blocks. Caver collected the majority with two rejections along with a dunk. Each player also managed to finish among the leading rebounders in the contest. On top of all that, both still provided some scoring too with a combined 9 points.
The 2013-14 Campaign
During the 2013-14 season, Caver played in all 26 games for Colonia, and averaged 4.8 points per game for the Patriots. Meanwhile, Clarke played in 19 of Metuchen’s 25 games, and averaged 8.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.3 points per game. Colonia finished 17-9 overall and reached the 2014 GMCT Final Four. Metuchen ended its season at 13-11 following a first round state playoff loss to Middlesex.
Back in 2008, GMC Hoops first saw Clarke in action at the Raritan Bay Summer League. Six years later, the senior center guided the Bulldogs back to respectability. Arriving at Metuchen in 2010, Clarke was part of a solid freshman class along with Brian Eustace and Frank McGuire. The Bulldogs trio persevered through a rebuilding process under current head coach Jon Korellis, and leave the program in good shape. Metuchen recorded double digit wins for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign.
Caver, a transfer to Colonia, contributed to the Patriots best season since the team moved up to the GMC Red in 2010-11. In addition to reaching the GMCT Finals for the first time since 2008, the Pats also gained a berth in the sectional semifinals
Both All-Stars Caver and Clarke show versatility. Their play in the 2014 GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game demonstrate a skillfulness that is currently taking place in basketball.