Tobin Hits 2,000 Points, Hopatcong Bombs Boonton in Boys Basketball (37 Photos!)

Hopatcong senior Matt Tobin walked into Monday night's game seven points short of 2,000 for his career.

It wasn’t a matter of if he would reach the milestone—Tobin, averaging about 25 points per game this season, has been one of Sussex County's most explosive scorers.

Yet, it didn’t happen how most would have thought in a blowout 63-36 win over Boonton.

Tobin has dazzled for years with an array of mid-range jump shots, crossovers that turn into three-pointers and slashing layups weaving through traffic. But with the mark two points away, Tobin drove to his right and got in ideal position for a 12-foot jumper in the lane.

The shot hit the front of the rim and ricocheted to the Bombers' Danny Carey, seemingly making the home crowd—comprised mostly of students in white T-shirts with "2,000" across the front—wait at least another possession for Tobin to get it.

But in an instant, Tobin stole the ball and banked it in, sending Hopatcong's faithful into a roar and himself into the record books.

“I had to get it somehow,” Tobin said. “My shots weren’t falling for me so I just had to do something, somehow.”

Tobin had a chance to get 2,000 points in the final second of the first quarter when he dribbled upcourt and was fouled during a 21-foot three-pointer. But the senior uncharacteristically missed all three free throws.

 “I’m very proud,” said Chiefs head coach Jim Tobin, Matt's uncle. “We had a nice little talk after school. I told him how proud I was since he was 5 years old to get to this point. He’s worked extremely hard and that’s why he’s the player who he is now. I’m more proud of him as a teammate to his teammates on the floor. As you can see, he’s unselfish. He easily could’ve scored more, but that’s not what he’s about. He has some other records in mind, but if they come, they come. If they don’t, they don’t.

There are two more individual records for Tobin to reach: the school record of 2,091 points held by his father, Dennis, and former NBA player Chris Jent's Sussex County record of 2,287 points. Jent played at Sparta.

 “It’s definitely a relief,” Tobin said. “It’s a big accomplishment, but now that it’s off my back I can relax and play basketball.”

It was no surprise after the hoopla was over that the Chiefs loosened up offensively. Hopatcong went on a scoring binge in the second quarter, outpacing the Bombers 26-10. Dan Sullivan capped off the explosive half with a three-quarter court three-pointer as time expired.

Hopatcong opened up a bigger lead in the third quarter, behind 11 points from Tobin in the frame, highlighted by a top-of-the-key three which perfectly splashed through the net to give the Chiefs a 46-16 lead.

Tobin led all scorers with 23 points while junior forward Hunter Guard added 10. Jake Smith had a pair of threes in his eight-point effort.

Hopatcong’s biggest lead was 32 points with a minute left in the third quarter.

Hopatcong 63, Boonton 36

Hopatcong – 12 26 14 11 – 63

Boonton – 4 10 2 20 – 36

Hopatcong: Matt Tobin 6-3-2-23, Jon Parker 1-0-2-4, Jake Smith 1-2-0-8, Hunter Guard 2-1-3-10, Vinny Marinoni 0-1-0-3, Dan Sullivan 2-1-1-8, Ryan Clarke 1-0-0-2, Mike Macnamara 1-0-0-2, Nick Krowl 1-0-0-2.

Boonton: Tracey Thomas 1-1-3-8, Mike Rawls 0-1-0-3, Jay Adriazola 3-1-0-9, Earl Pasion 3-0-0-6, Joe McCabe 1-0-7-9.

Team records: Hopatcong 12-5, Boonton 4-11.