December 13, 2009
Reaching for new heights
Xavier Corporan and High Tech look to take the next step after going 18-10 last season.
Click Here for photos from High Tech Practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
NORTH BERGEN – After 18 wins, including their first ever state playoff victory last season, expectations are for High Tech are greater than they’ve ever been.
If there is an added weight on their shoulders, it has yet to slow down the Lasercats or the fast-paced offense.
“The reason we run like we do is to get more possessions and when you get more possessions there are more shots,” head coach Steve Ricciardi said. “And when things are going well, everyone’s happy.”
This fast paced offense has made High Tech one of the most exciting and successful teams in Hudson County. The Lasercats may have lost a couple of key scorers from last season, but thus far, this season’s squad has been more balanced and playing well together.
“I think that we’re together is our biggest strength,” Ricciardi said. “And hopefully it continues to be our biggest strength because if we play as individuals we’re not going to be as strong”
“This year I think we work better as a team more than last year,” Xavier Corporan said. “Last year we had a lot of scorers. You know how that can go, with people looking for their own shots. This year we work more as a team, we don’t have as many scorers, but we have a lot of people that can contribute to the team.”
A skilled slasher, Corporan’s speed and athleticism have allowed him to flourish in this offense and punish opposing defenses in transition. His ability to play above the rim, along with his strength and athleticism allow him to play basically any position on the floor, though his main spots will be at the small and power forward spots.
“He does a lot of everything,” Ricciardi said. “Right now we’re trying to get him to focus on the defensive end and rebounding. As good as he is offensively, I think he can be one of our best rebounders and I think he can be our best defender.”
Corporan, a junior, is also a threat from 3-point range and when he’s on his game, Ricciardi believes he’s one of the best players in the area.
“I think (Xavier’s) biggest skill is just his heart,” Ricciaridi said. “When he wants it, there’s nobody that’s going to take it away from him. When he plays spirited and intense, there’s not many people that can slow him down.”
Another returning starter that is a threat from beyond the arc is 6-foot-4 forward John Greenwald. Greenwald’s ability to stretch the floor should open up the paint for Corporan and others to attack.
The third returning starter is point guard Kevin Baez. Baez along with fellow senior point guard Kari Williams are pivotal to the Lasercats’ offensive success and help limit the streakiness that occasionally haunted them a season ago. Both have impressed Ricciardi during preseason.
“Over the first two scrimmages I think Kevin Baez and Kari Williams have been outstanding,” Ricciardi said. “They’ve really limited their turnovers. They’re taking good shots when they have them and they’re getting all of their teammates involved.”
Both point guards should see plenty of action this season as Williams proved to be an offensive sparkplug off the bench a year ago.
Rounding out the starting five are a pair of juniors in guard Dmitri Pearson and forward William Ventura.
“Dmitri I think can be one of the better scorers in the county,” Ricciardi said. “He’s a very good shooter, can get to the rim and is an improving defender and rebounder.”
Ricciardi has also been pleased with Ventura, calling him “a very good passer for an interior player.”
Kevin Mayaka should also see a lot of minutes off the bench for High Tech.
Last year, the Lasercats showed that they compete with the larger schools, culminating with a victory over in-town rival North Bergen late in the season. This year High Tech will face their toughest schedule under Ricciardi. Thanks to realignment, the Lasercats will play all of the teams in Hudson County (including St. Peter’s Prep, Bayonne and Union City) as well as a challenging slate of non-conference opponents that include Seton Hall Prep and Paterson Kennedy.
Despite the challenges ahead on the schedule, Ricciardi is confident in his squad and if they stay focused and play together, he believes they can exceed the standards set last season.
“My expectations are really high,” Ricciardi said. “We upgraded the schedule and I think the kids’ expectations are high as well. Hopefully we can keep the kids on the same page. We have a lot of kids that can play and are enthusiastic. We have pretty high expectations.”
