HOOPING IT UP: Jefferson Plumbing’s Jahan Owusu goes up for a shot against J Majeski Foundation last Wednesday in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. Former Princeton High standout Owusu scored 16 points in the contest but it wasn’t enough as Jefferson Plumbing fell 71-68. On Monday, Owusu tallied 10 points as Jefferson fell 98-91 to Princeton Supply in five overtimes in moving to 1-5. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
By Bill Alden
Jahan Owusu felt at home for Jefferson Plumbing last Wednesday evening as it faced J Majeski Foundation in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League.
With the games being moved into the Princeton High gym from the Community Park courts due to extreme heat, former PHS star guard Owusu was fired up to be in familiar surroundings.
“It is fun playing here again in the high school,” said Owusu. “I kind of miss it the past two years.”
Owusu and his teammates were looking to have some fun as they dealt with a Majeski squad which is comprised of players from The College of New Jersey men’s hoops team.
“They have a lot of good guys, they have young talent so I feel like it was a good challenge for us,” said Owusu. “Going forward we know how to prepare. We know what we have got to do on offense, defense and just playing overall.”
Jefferson wasn’t up to the challenge in the early going as it trailed 27-13 midway through the first half.
“We started off a little sluggish, we weren’t moving the ball, we weren’t cutting,” said Owusu. “We just weren’t playing precise and getting to our spots. I feel like later in the game, we were able to get it together, knowing when to cut and where to roll.”
With Owusu getting points from repeatedly going to the hoop and JM Vlasac catching fire from the perimeter, Jefferson clawed back in the second half, forging ahead 62-60 at one point before ultimately falling 71-68. Owusu ended up with 16 points while Vlasac poured in a game-high 33 as Jefferson moved to 1-4. Lucas Dipasupil tallied 27 points to lead Majeski, who improved to 1-3.
For Owusu, being aggressive is the key to his game offensively.
“That was my mindset going into the game,” said Owusu, who scored 10 points on Monday as Jefferson fell 98-91 in five overtimes to Princeton Supply drop to 1-5. “In every game I play I try to get that first drive getting to the rim and getting my game open. After that I can do whatever I want, shooting threes and that stuff.”
Over the summer, Owusu has enjoyed playing on Jefferson with former PHS teammates Zion Madden and Mike Bess.
“I feel like it is really good, I am the one who wanted them to come on the team,” said Owusu. “They have a lot of potential they play really well, playing against older guys. These guys are college guys and older.
They are playing really
well for their age, I feel like they can do good things in the future.”
Owusu, for his part, has two seasons of college ball under his belt, having played as Delaware Valley University.
“I feel like Del Val helped me,” said the 6’2, 185-pound Owusu, who scored six points in five games last season for the Aggies and is now in the transfer portal. “I elevated my game as a point guard, being able to see the whole court and bettering my game. I feel like it was a really good experience. I hope to see what is next for me. I have three more years of eligibility. I want to get a year somewhere and then go a higher level up after that for two years.”
Wherever Owusu ends up this winter, playing in the summer is good preparation.
“I feel like getting my reps in, getting my shots in, and working on my game that I did during my college season at practice is good,” said Owusu. “Being able to play high level competition helps me when I go back to the level I play at in college. I have a good sense of what I have to do and to just get a better overall feel for the game.”