THE JACK SHOW: Hun School boys’ basketball player Jackson Cullert looks to unload the ball in recent action. Last Thursday, junior guard Cullert scored 24 points to help Hun defeat the Westtown School (Pa.) 86-59. The Raiders, who topped Penn Charter (Pa.) 82-61 to improve to 14-7, play at Lawrenceville on February 4 before hosting Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on February 7 and the Phelps School (Pa.) on February 10. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
By Bill Alden
With the Hun School boys’ basketball team having not defeated the Westtown School (Pa.) in about a decade, Jackson Cullert and his teammates didn’t waste any time showing that things were going to be different when the foes met last Thursday.
The Raiders jumped out to a 18-4 lead and never looked back on the way to an 86-59 victory.
“We prepared well for this team,” said Hun junior guard Cullert. “I think we shot really well to start and that really helped us. It brought the energy that lasted the rest of the game.”
The 6’7 Cullert displayed his all-around game, tallying 24 points, draining six three-pointers in the process.
“It was just getting my shots up throughout the game, feeling out the defense and seeing what they do and adjusting to that,” said Cullert, who hit three 3-pointers from the corner in a four-minute span in the third quarter. “I took the same shot about three times. I felt good the whole way through.”
Showing his athleticism, Cullert soared through the lane for a fourth quarter dunk in tallying his final bucket of the contest.
“That felt good,” said Cullert with a smile. “I haven’t got one in a couple of games so it felt good to get up there and get one down.”
In reflecting on the dominant win over Westtown, Cullert believes that that the Raiders are finding a rhythm as the season has gone on.
“I think throughout the season we have built chemistry, especially during practice and all of that,” said Cullert. “We have played some really good teams. To come out here and have that chemistry had really helped us. It is great to come here in my first year and beat them like that.”
Coming to Hun after starring at Packer Collegiate in Brooklyn, N.Y., Cullert has raised his game.
“I knew a couple of guys on the team,” said Cullert. “I knew I needed the adjustment, my school wasn’t that athletically driven. It was just coming here and working on myself and getting stronger and playing with these guys. I have definitely gotten stronger and I am a better basketball player. I have surrounded myself with really good kids and playing against great competition. There is nothing more I could ask for that to get better.”
Hun head coach Jon Stone liked the strong start he got from his squad against Westtown.
“Our defense was as good as it had been early in a while and we were making some shots,” said Stone. “Making shots early is always a good thing. When we get going, we can really shoot the ball.”
Cullert has made a big impact for Hun with his shooting along with his all-around game.
“I didn’t think he was going to miss, he brings so much,” said Stone. “Obviously there is his shooting ability. He is smart, he has the ability to put it on the floor and he has athleticism. That dunk was amazing. He has a great personality. He is a really good fit for our team.”
Senior guard and Cornell commit Sage Mateo helped the Raiders pull away from Westtown as he scored 15 points and provided steady floor play.
“His leadership all year has just been so strong, it is kind of like having a coach on the floor for us,” said Stone, who also got 17 points from junior guard Blake Hargrove in the victory. “I just love it. He makes so many good decisions and just makes the simple play so often.”
Noting that Hun had struggled over the years against Westtown, Stone was a bit taken aback by the margin of victory.
“To honest with you, I would have never thought it would have been this much but I will take it,” said Stone. “We haven’t beaten them in a long time so it feels good to get one against them.”
In Stone’s view, Hun can build on its performance against the Moose.
“We are still learning, we are still growing,” said Stone, whose team topped Penn Charter (Pa.) 82-61 on Saturday in improving to 14-7. “We want to keep it going. We had a tough stretch, we played some really good teams. Hopefully we can keep growing and put it together.”
With the Raiders playing at Lawrenceville on February 4 before hosting Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on February 7 and the Phelps School (Pa.) on February 10 and then starting action in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) tournament, Stone will be looking for his players to keep growing at both ends of the court.
“I think we are starting to play together better,” said Stone.
“I don’t think we have even been selfish, it is just getting comfortable. I think that has been really good on offense. We are getting a little tougher defensively. We have had moments this year where our defense hasn’t been great, but tonight our defense overall was really good.”
Cullert, for his part, believes that Hun can make a good stretch run.
“It is just staying together and bringing that chemistry,” said Cullert. “Now that we have played most of the teams in MAPL, it is adjusting and knowing the personnel and all of that. It is really staying together, no matter if we win or lose. It is going to be really important for us.”