Haddon Heights has promising backcourt

They are the classic backcourt combination. One is a slick, quick point guard. The other is an athletic off-guard.

They both can score, dish, and defend. They both are unselfish. They both are team leaders.

But there's something else that makes Haddon Heights' duo of junior Brandon Joyner and senior Davon Jones one of South Jersey's top backcourts: the element of surprise.

"People don't know about us," Joyner said. "That's OK with us. We look forward to anybody's challenge."

Joyner and Jones combined for 25 points per game last season. But because Jones missed nine games with a wrist injury, and because Haddon Heights operated in the shadows behind perennial Colonial Conference powers Collingswood and Haddonfield, the pair enter this season with a lot to prove.

"People that are downplaying us are going to get a rude awakening," Jones said.

The 6-foot-2 Jones is a slasher who scores most of his points in transition, on drives or off the offensive glass. He averaged 13.1 points last season as well as 4.6 rebounds. The senior set out to improve his outside shot this past summer, taking thousands of jumpers.

"Davon is one of the best scorers in the conference," Haddon Heights coach Mike Ricci said. "Not only can he get to the basket, he has worked hard at developing his outside shot to make him even more of a threat to score. His speed and quickness give him an edge on the defensive end, as well."

The 5-9 Joyner is a top athlete coming off a strong football season. He gained 1,198 yards as a running back for the 8-3 Garnets, and also caught 17 passes for 310 yards.

A clever lefthander, Joyner averaged 11.7 points and 4.7 assists last season. He's adept at getting to the rim and using his body control and strength to finish, or to pass to open teammates. He also has increased the range on his jumper.

"Brandon does a great job of getting to the basket and creating opportunities for his teammates," Ricci said.

Jones and Joyner both live in Lawnside and played together as middle-school athletes on a travel team coached by former NBA player Pervis Ellison, now the head coach at Life Center Academy.

But because Joyner didn't play varsity as a freshman, and Jones missed nearly half of last season, they are still refining their chemistry.