DRIVE-THROUGH: Hun School boys’ basketball player Niall Carpenter drives past foes from the Shipley School (Pa.) in action last Sunday. Senior guard Carpenter scored 14 points in the game to help Hun edge Shipley 58-56. The Raiders, now 1-2, play at St. Benedict’s on December 9 before taking part in the Peddie School Invitational Tournament from December 11-13. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

While the Hun School boys’ basketball team is welcoming a number of new faces this year, Jon Stone has shown a flair for getting the pieces to fit together over his 16 seasons at the helm of the program.

“Like any year for us, it is about chemistry, jelling the new guys with the old guys,” said Stone, who guided the Raiders to a 14-10 record last winter.

“The chemistry is real good and the overall atmosphere is terrific. We only have three guys returning to the varsity. We have got a really nice mix of youth and experience though so I think it is going to prove to really help us.”

Hun features a really nice combination in the backcourt in returning senior Niall Carpenter and post-graduate newcomer Jose Morales.

“Niall is looking great; he just continues to improve and get better, he is playing really well right now,” said Stone, who will also be utilizing junior Austin Hutcherson, sophomore Justin Cort, senior Savoy Drummond, senior Luke Apuzzi, and sophomore Tyler Washington at guard.

“Jose Morales is a Princeton commit from Florida. He brings everything. He can really shoot, he is a terrific passer, he is a good leader and a good competitor. He can do a little bit of everything.”

In the front court, the pair of senior Austin Harriott and postgrad Sasha French figure to do a lot of good things this winter for the Raiders.

“Harriott is looking terrific, he has committed to Loyola Maryland,” said Stone, who is looking for junior forward Ewan Lancaster, sophomore Lorenzo Spinazzi, and freshman Shamar Florence to also provide production in the paint.

“He brings athleticism and great versatility and an ability to pass as well. He can step away from the basket as well as play in and around the basket. He is a terrific rebounder as well. Sasha French is a post grad from California who is 6’10. He is a good presence. He runs the floor well and has a great shooting touch.”

While Hun has been dealing with some injury issues in the early going, Stone is confident that things will come together for his squad.

“We are playing an extremely tough schedule; I think staying healthy is going to be a big key, right now we have four guys banged up,” said Stone, whose team improved to 1-2 with a 58-56 win over the Shipley School (Pa.) last Sunday and plays at St. Benedict’s on December 9 before taking part in the Peddie School Invitational Tournament from December 11-13.

“I think we do have really good parts, different guys bring different things to the table. Everybody is a little bit different and the guys get along really well. I am excited about this group, we could be as good as we have been in a while.”