Delaware Valley tops Hunterdon Central in OT to win first H/W/S boys basketball title

Delaware Valley is more than comfortable playing in close games.

Less than a week removed from a double-overtime win over Hackettstown in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex semifinals, Delaware Valley once again found itself in a tight battle late in the fourth quarter – this time in the tournament final.

Down by three, Delaware Valley junior guard Tommy Denvir received a ball screen, found space and rose up at the top of the key. The 3-pointer went in, tying the game up with less than two minutes remaining.

“I had room, Coach wanted me to shoot it if I was open,” Denvir said. “I’m not going to miss that shot with this many people here.”

The shot sent the game to overtime and second-seeded Delaware Valley pulled away late to defeat fourth-seeded Hunterdon Central, 69-62, and claim the program’s first H/W/S title in Hackettstown.

“I think last week beating Hackettstown gave us a lot of confidence,” Delaware Valley coach Michael DePaolo said. “Late in the game, we have been in that situation before we know what we need to do. Just sticking together and moving on to the next play.”

The Hunterdon Central zone defense worked well in the first half. Shots weren’t falling for Delaware Valley as Hunterdon Central took a 14-5 lead into the first-quarter break.

The Red Devils continued to make things difficult for Denvir and the Terriers in the second. Hunterdon Central led 31-16 through 16 minutes of play.

“We weren’t moving the ball that much and we were forcing shots we normally don’t take,” said Denvir, who scored his 1,000th career point on Friday.

Despite being down 15 points, Delaware Valley came out aggressive in the third quarter.

“At halftime, we told them that we are not as bad of a shooting team that we showed in the first half,” DePaolo said. “The percentages would come back to us – keep it positive and try to build them up.”

Sophomores Lochlyn Marsh and Chase Kraucheunas brought energy and started to find their offensive rhythm despite some early struggles from Denvir. Marsh and Kraucheunas finished with 19 and 15 points, respectively, and each took home all-tournament team honors.

“We came out ready to play; we knew we weren’t going to let down,” Kraucheunas said.

“We knew we had to step up to take the attention off [Denvir], so he could step up and get his looks.” Marsh said.

Denvir caught fire in the third quarter. The junior scored 11 points in the quarter, including two long-range 3s to give Terriers momentum heading into the fourth.

“It makes life easy, he makes some incredible shots for us,” DePaolo said of Denvir.

Delaware Valley scored 24 points in the third quarter.

Hunterdon Central extended its lead to 55-45 with four minutes to go behind seven straight points from Gavin Baden, but the Terriers started to chip away. Baden finished the game with 11 points.

Kraucheunas and the rest of the team did a lot of work on the offensive glass to help close the deficit.

“Most important part is to crash the boards,” Kraucheunas said. “We knew we weren’t going to fold; we were going to come back and fight.”

“Over the second half of the season [Kraucheunas] has been one of our most important players,” DePaolo said. “He just got this fire in his eyes that he wasn’t going to let us lose tonight.”

After Denvir’s three tied the game at 57-57, Delaware Valley played defense for nearly two straight minutes and ultimately came up with the stop to send the game to overtime.

“Our goal was to try to not let Baden get downhill to his left hand,” DePaulo said. “If we were going to lose, let them hit a contested 28-footer.”

Denvir, Kraucheneunas and Marsh all scored a bucket in overtime. Marsh hit six straight free throws to clinch the title for Delaware Valley.

“I just knew I had to make them and seal the game for my team,” Marsh said.

Entering the final, Del Val hadn’t won the H/W/S tournament or its predecessor, the Hunterdon/Warren tournament, which started in 1987. Friday marked the program’s third appearance in a tourney final; it was routed by Hunterdon Central in its previous runner-up finishes (2017, 2002).

Denvir finished with 26 points on the night, taking home tournament MVP honors.

“We’re on this big of a stage, you have to go all out.” Denvir said. “It’s still a surreal feeling. I haven’t fully comprehended it yet.”