The Mendham High School boys’ basketball team had an incredible 2024-2025 season, ending with a 24-6 record. The boys began their season with lots of momentum to create a 10-0 undefeated start to their season. The Minutemen won the JP Flynn Holiday Tournament and defeated rivals like Delbarton School, West Morris Central High School, Randolph High School, and Chatham High School. In the State Tournament Semi-Finals, Mendham won a thrilling game 57-56 against Payne Tech after a missed shot by Payne Tech at the buzzer. Mendham’s season ultimately ended at the State Sectional Final after playing a challenging game against Colonia High School. The Minutemen’s basketball team could not have achieved these great accomplishments this season if it were not led by seniors Kevin King and Cole Capuzzi.
Kevin King and Cole Capuzzi are both seniors at Mendham High School. King was named Morris County Player of the Year, and Capuzzi was named second team all-conference. King plans to attend Clemson University for Finance, and Capuzzi plans to attend the University of Florida for Business. Additionally, King hopes to play club basketball at Clemson University.
The two players played large roles in creating a successful team. King’s ability to drive to the basket and Capuzzi’s ability to consistently shoot three-point shots increased the team’s versatility. However, the core of this successful team dynamic derives from the tight-knit friendships off the court. Cole Capuzzi believes the close friendships off the court “[were] a big, big advantage [the basketball team] had over other teams [they] played”. Both players demonstrated leadership by uniting the team, and this helped improve the team.
When asking King about one of the biggest challenges he has endured during his basketball career, he addressed the common issue of having mental blocks. King explained that during his “sophomore year, [he] faced a challenge with having confidence on the court. As a sophomore, [he] was one of the smallest guys on the court.” Head coach, Coach Connelly, worked with King during the offseason between his sophomore and junior years to improve his confidence and ultimately his ability to play. King improved drastically by scoring a total of 25 points in his sophomore year to a total of 520 points in his junior year. The efforts made by King for multiple years have made him the player he is today. Both players represent the notion that resilience and passion yield success.
Both players reflected on their athletic careers at Mendham High School and have advice for younger basketball players. Capuzzi said, “A lot of times, younger players do not feel valued, and often quit before they reach their full potential, so [he’d] say stick with it and keep working hard because there’s nothing better than playing with your friends.” Once again, Capuzzi addressed the idea of friendship playing such a large role in the team. It is obvious that the players enjoy being around each other, and it makes the players want to be a part of the team. Additionally, King commented, “It really does go by fast, and it feels like the other day [he] was going to [his] first open gym. So enjoy it. Enjoy the relationships you make on the team, both with the players and the coaches. Just have a good time.” King and Capuzzi both have true passion for the sport and the team. It is bittersweet to see these two incredible leaders graduating. While the Mendham High School community is sad to see them go, they are happy to see everything they accomplish.
