After a long offseason, the Wayne Hills boys basketball team was eager to get back to work. On Monday, November 29th, the Hills boys had their first practice under returning coach, Kevin Grimes. Grimes departed from Hills back in 2017 but is returning for the 2021-2022 season. The 2020-2021 season ended with a heroic win over Passaic Valley to become league champs. And in a COVID-shortened season last year, the Patriots weren’t satisfied. Coming into the 2021-2022 season with 9 returning seniors, Wayne Hills is looking like a game to circle for opponents. 

Two of these returning seniors are guard, Jared Mintz and forward, Ali Mansuroglu. The two men had a lot to say when asked about their opinion on the upcoming season. Jared, the senior guard said, “I am very excited about this season. I feel like we can make a name for ourselves in North Jersey.” And Ali added, “I really think we have a chance to be special and make it far into counties and states. And I’m glad I can finish with all my best friends. ”

Coach Grimes has not been at Wayne Hills since the 2017-2018 season where he led the team to a county championship. When asked about his feelings regarding Coach Grimes, Mintz said, “With Coach Grimes I feel like we all have a special role on the team.”

Similarly, Ali added, “Most of the team has been familiar with Grimes and even coached by him so we’re all like a family already this early in the season. ”

Set to take the court for the first time on December 17, the Patriots will face up against Clifton, a solid opponent that has been a tough matchup every year. The matchup last year resulted in Hills coming out on top in a 58-46 win. However, with Coach Rob Carcich now gone, the two seniors gave their thoughts on how they’re going to do against Clifton this year, under Coach Grimes.

Mansuroglu said, “ I’m looking forward to competing every night against tough teams and beating them with all the work we put in at practice,” with Mintz adding, “I am very pumped for the upcoming games this season, I think this year we will be better than we were last year. We are very capable of winning the county and even states.”