Rieger twins do it all for Moorestown basketball
They are a unique set of twins, with similar-sounding names and decidedly different frames and games. Harrison Rieger is a little taller and a little thinner than his brother. He also is a more advanced basketball player, a starter and slick scorer.
They are a unique set of twins, with similar-sounding names and decidedly different frames and games.
Harrison Rieger is a little taller and a little thinner than his brother. He also is a more advanced basketball player, a starter and slick scorer.
Hunter Rieger spends the majority of games on the bench. He has generated 10 points all season, the same amount of his brother's lowest output in a single contest.
But the Moorestown High School seniors share something special when it comes to the surprising Quakers: In his own way, each has emerged as a leader for a young team that has risen to No. 22 in the Inquirer Top 25.
"The most important thing is to be positive," Hunter Rieger said of his approach. "I would never want to look back at my senior year and say, 'I didn't do everything I could to help that team, wasn't as positive as I could have been.' "
Hunter Rieger is 6-foot-2, more blonde and more broad-shouldered than his twin. He also is a more of a track athlete than basketball player, specializing in the high jump.
Hunter Rieger sees sparse playing time for the Quakers, who are 5-2 with losses to state power Trenton Catholic in overtime and to No. 11 Eastern by 59-57.
In Tuesday night's 47-43 victory over then-No. 22 Pennsauken, Hunter Rieger played just four minutes, grabbing one rebound and missing his only shot.
"He understands his role," Moorestown coach Shawn Anstey said of Hunter Rieger. "He gets in there. He hustles. He sets screens. He knows what kind of player he is."
Accepting a limited role isn't always easy for a senior, especially on a team with three sophomores in the starting lineup and two more in the regular rotation.
Plus, Hunter Rieger has to go home after every game with the Quakers' leading scorer.
"I understand the situation," Hunter Rieger said. "It's not anything new to me. I didn't see much time last year. I just try to do what I can in the little bit of time that I'm out there and just be as supportive as I can."
Harrison Rieger said he is proud of his brother's mature approach.
"It's all about wanting what is best for the team," Harrison Rieger said. "[Hunter] feels that way. I feel that way. We all feel that way. That's one of the things that has helped us get off to a good start."
At 6-foot-3, Harrison Rieger is a clever player with a good outside shot and knack for getting to the rim. He made a pair of driving layups as Moorestown seized command of Tuesday night's game against Pennsauken with a 10-0 run to open the third quarter.
Harrison Rieger has scored in double figures in every game. He is averaging 14.3 points.
"He knows how to score," Anstey said of Harrison Rieger. "He can shoot. He gets to the basket and since we're not very tall he's often matched up on the other team's big guy, which frees him up on the perimeter when we run motion."
Hunter Rieger said the twins have been "competitive" since birth, with his brother often holding the upper hand in sports.
"He usually ends up on top," Hunter Rieger said with a shrug. "But it's all fun and games."
Once the games begin, the twins have drastically different roles, with Harrison on the court and serving as the Quakers' main scoring option, and Hunter on the bench and serving as a voice of support and a ready substitute.
But beyond the details, they both are doing the same thing: Playing their part as best they can for the good of the team.
"They're different," Anstey said. "But they both understand their roles, and they both do everything they can to help us win."
@PhilAnastasia