From New Jersey to Maine: How does high school basketball compare in the two states?

YORK, Maine — Jerry Hill grew up playing basketball in Patterson, New Jersey, played college basketball at the Division III level, and coached high school basketball in New Jersey for more than 30 years.

In 2018, Hill and his family moved to Maine, and he just started his fourth season as head coach of the York High School boys basketball team.

Hill has led the Wildcats to a 33-14 record in his first three years, going 14-3 and advancing to the Class B South semifinal round in his second year.

Even when Hill, who played at Ramapo College, was living in New Jersey, he always thought he would, one day, end up in Maine.

"We used to come up here (to Ogunquit) on vacation," Hill said. "I suspect probably a lot of people have transported up to Maine from vacation. Ever since I was a teenager, I loved Maine, I love the lifestyle and I love being near the beach."

Those summers eventually led Hill to leave New Jersey and make Maine his permanent home.

"It took about 40 years," Hill said. "But, eventually I made it up here."

New Jersey high school basketball is 'intense'

Basketball is everything to Hill, and he discussed the similarities and differences of high school basketball in New Jersey and Maine, and if the high level of basketball in New Jersey matches the hype it receives.

"Yes, but in regards to the coaching, coaching in Maine is excellent," Hill said. "I think the passion for basketball here is good, it's the same."

"I don't miss (New Jersey)," Hill continued. "I love living and coaching here in York. York is great."

One thing is for sure, Hill said high school basketball in New Jersey is intense, more so than in Maine.

"As a matter of fact, when I came to York, the athletic director (Jeff Oliver) had to remind me to pull the intensity back a little bit," Hill joked. "It's intense (in New Jersey), it is."

Hill said the biggest difference between the two states is that over the years, basketball in New Jersey has taken a turn with student-athletes not staying at one high school for the duration of their careers.

"It's very cut-throat," Hill said. "Kids don't stay at the same school, especially at the parochial schools. The journey, which is a very important part of coaching, is where you get kids coming in as freshmen and they grow and get better, and you formulate your team. Eventually by senior year, they've gone through four years of your program."

Hill said he saw a lot of New Jersey kids transferring in and out of schools, and said it rarely happens in Maine.

Hill pointed to current seniors on the Wildcats — Connor Roberge, Ben Brown, Derek Parsons, Haydn Forbes — and how their journey has gone.

"They came in here as freshmen and have gone through the program for four years," Hill said. "I remember Lukas (Bouchard) coming in, meeting him in eighth grade, and now he's gone through our program."

"If you have a really good player in a public school, a lot of times they leave and go to parochial schools," Hill said of Jersey basketball.

On the court, Hill talked about one of the key differences between the states.

"(The style of play) is really up and down the floor in Jersey," he said. "There's a lot of pressing and a lot of playing baseline to baseline, so you really have to be prepared for that."

Multi-sport athletes compared to just basketball

The majority of the kids Hill coached in New Jersey were year-round basketball players; in York, he has a lot of two- and three-sport athletes.

One multi-sport player that Hill coached at Montclair High School in New Jersey was Josh Allen, now a defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"(He) was one of the best kids I ever coached," Hill said. "Hard worker, great teammate. Honestly, I did think he would have a legit chance to make it (to the NFL) due to his incredible work ethic."

Allen attended Montclair for his senior season and asked Hill if he could try out for the basketball team.

"After one day, I was like, 'this kid will dominate,' and he did," Hill said. "Fierce around the boards, as well as rebounding and playing defense."

Allen led the state of New Jersey in sacks in his senior season, later starred at the University of Kentucky, and was the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Thankful for those who helped along the way

Hill said his many years coaching high school basketball wouldn't be possible without those who helped and supported him along the way.

In New Jersey, it was Herb Cohen, who was the first basketball coach that Hill worked with. He also credited Greg Butler, who was the baseball coach at Demarest High School, Beth Powell, who was the volleyball coach, and athletic director Jerry Emison.

Hill said each of them had a different impact and taught him a lot in coaching.

At York, Hill wanted to give major credit to Josh Herbein, Luke Mackey and volunteer coach Jon Jimenez.

"Luke and Josh, when I got here, they were already coaching here," Hill said. "And I think what's important is having that coaching staff staying together. The continuity, I think, does a lot."

Last but not least, Hill added his wife, AnnMarie, his son, Kevin, and his daughter, Nicole, who were all supportive of the family's move to Maine.

"I've been very fortunate that I got a chance to coach basketball at York," Hill said. "(Oliver) is great. The administration is great, and coaching these kids is awesome. These kids are all terrific, and I'm having a blast here coaching at York."

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: New Jersey to Maine, Hill now coaches high school basketball at York