by Mike Pavlichko
The Bound Brook Crusaders don’t have that one star player.
The Manville Mustangs have all five starters back, but lack a bench.
Both will be put to the test Thursday when they square off in their season openers on High School Basketball presented by Bellamy & Son Paving on Central Jersey Sports Radio. Mike Pavlichko will have the call live from Bound Brook High School, and you can listen here.
No. 6 Bound Brook has dominated the series since just before Jen Derevjanik became the head coach. They had won two straight before she arrived, and have not lost since, for a total of 15 straight wins against Manville.
READ MORE: Bound Brook’s Derevjanik named NFHS girls basketball Coach of the Year in NJ
The Mustangs last defeated Bound Brook on January 24th, 2013, a 50-19 home win. They took both games from Bound Brook that year.
Coincidentally, 2012-13 was the last time Manville finished the season with a winning record, going 13-11 that year.
LISTEN: “Like a kid in a candy store,” HS coaches and players welcome start of practice
Click below to listen to interviews with Bound Brook head coach Jen Derevjanik and Manville head coach Mike Knitowski.
Bound Brook head coach Jen Derevjanik:
Manville head coach Mike Knitowski