West Orange HS boys’ basketball thrives this summer

WEST ORANGE, NJ – West Orange High School head boys’ varsity basketball coach Demond Cowins has been quite impressed with his team’s play this summer.

The Mountaineers competed in the annual Bloomfield College Summer League, reaching the semifinals where they lost to Dwight Morrow. WOHS also had its JV team compete in the league.

Cowins this summer got a good look at what his varsity team will look like for the high school season this winter.

“They really fought for every possession, whether we were down (or) whether we were up,” said Cowins, who will enter his third season at the helm this winter. “They fought hard on every possession, defensively. Also, our players really played together, so that was really impressive. It gives me a good perspective on what we are going to be returning for the upcoming season.

“What I saw this summer is that if we can play tough, we’ll be fine.”

West Orange was sparked by the leadership of rising senior twins Godley and Goddy Marc. Goddy, a combo guard, and Godley, a point guard, were solid contributors on last winter’s team finished 16-10, including reaching the quarterfinals of both the Essex County Tournament and New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association North Jersey Section 1, Group 4 state tournament.

The Mountaineers fell to Montclair Immaculate in the ECT and lost to Hackensack, 69-66, in the North 1, Group 4 state tournament.

Cowins was pleased with the Marc twins’ play this summer.

“They came to play every game,” he said. “They are all about team basketball. We look forward to them doing well this upcoming season.”

Another player who stepped up this summer is rising sophomore point guard Maxwell Dent, who played freshman and JV last season.

West Orange will compete annual Kyle Anderson Basketball Tournament on August 11 at North Bergen, and then will return to play in the Bloomfield College Fall League.

Interestingly, Cowins is using social media to help parents and players understand the process of how to succeed on the next level, whether it’s middle school players moving up to the high school level, or high school players looking to continue their careers collegiately.

Cowins has posted his own videos on his instagram account. The videos cover a wide range of topics, such as college recruiting, advice on how to gain notice from colleges and what it takes to play at the Division 1, II  or III levels; private basketball trainers, and the pros and cons of the public vs. private school debate.

“I just want to bring certain things to light to help players and parents,” Cowins said. “It’s a real perspective and to create dialogue, if people have questions about anything about basketball for the high school and middle school players.

“More advice needs to be had for the younger players.”

  West Orange High School boys basketball