Bridgewater-Raritan High School senior Scott Bieda doesn’t want anyone to forget about his basketball skills.

Bieda, who last year helped the Panthers lacrosse team achieve one of its greatest seasons in program history, is currently one of the starters for the Bridgewater-Raritan basketball team. The senior guard has been a vital piece to the Panthers jumping out to an early 5-0 record on the season.

Last week, Bieda helped Bridgewater secure wins against Montgomery [where he had 12 points] and Howell in the Cougar Classic at Montgomery High School. The fast start may be a surprise to everyone except the Panthers boys, who are literally “under the radar” because of their lack of size.

Bieda took time to talk to Bridgewater Patch as he enters the home stretch of his senior year. This is Bieda’s final basketball season before he fully commits to playing lacrosse at Manhattan College next fall.

Bridgewater Patch: How did you get into playing basketball?

Scott Bieda: I got into playing when I was younger. My dad got me into the game and was basically my coach throughout my entire childhood. He coached me in travel, and from that point on it was always one of my main sports.

BP: What sport do you prefer to play? Why?

SB: Lacrosse definitely. My game from basketball carries over to my lacrosse game. Just everything from my moves to my ability to see the field has gotten better because of lacrosse and I really just love the game more.

BP: How do the two sports that you play compare to each other?

SB: They are really the same mentally. You have to know where your teammates are going to be when you have the ball. You have to keep your head up at all times with or without the ball and you always have to be moving in both sports. I have to be able to pass in both sports and working on that skill in one sport helps me with the other.

BP: Was it hard for you to choose lacrosse over basketball for college? Why?

SB: No, because I love lacrosse and I honestly feel as though I am better at it. Next fall, I’ll have the opportunity to play that game at the division I level at Manhattan College and I have no regrets about the decision.

BP: What did you do to prepare for your senior year of basketball?

SB: During the summer, I worked out almost every day. I had two days a week in the weight room with a trainer and then worked three days a week on my agility. On top of that, I was always at open gyms and I also played lacrosse, which helped with my endurance. My main goal this summer and off season was to get stronger and to become a better athlete so I could excel at both sports.

BP: What were your expectations for this basketball season?

SB: Our expectations were pretty high this year, even though we have a small team. Not a lot of people were expecting this start from us because of our lack of size and I think we were the only ones who are expecting a strong season. I think we can go pretty far this year too because we have really good chemistry and we have a lot of seniors. I think our team knows that we can do it. We might have doubters outside of our community, but I think that we can make it pretty far in the county and state tournaments.

BP: Being that this is your senior year, is this season more important to you?

SB: Yeah, definitely. This is the last time that I get to be with my basketball friends, some of whom I consider my best friends. We want to just really have a great time because it is our senior year. The best part of it so far has been that we are all out there together and we’re all smiling and having a great time. Our team is not just one person and it is truly a team effort and it’s much better that way.

BP: What will you miss most about playing basketball?

SB: I’m going to miss playing every day. I really love this sport, but I do love lacrosse more. I’m just going to miss everything about the game from the up-tempo pace to the games in front of our fans. When our student section is sold out for those big games and the fans are going crazy it is unlike any other experience. It’s something I won’t ever get back after this season. It is going to be weird not playing basketball at college, so I’m going to make it a great senior year.

BP: How will you use this season to prepare for your senior year of lacrosse?

SB: I’m still working on my agility and basketball helps in that area a lot. I want to work on my footwork and to become quicker. My defense from basketball always carries over to lacrosse even though I am not a defender. The footwork that I need to play defense in basketball helps me with my moves in lacrosse. I’m still focusing on my weight training and I still play lacrosse once or twice a week so I can keep my mind on lacrosse.

BP: How excited are you to go to play lacrosse in the spring and then take it to the next level in the fall?

SB: Very excited. I’m excited, but it is going to go by so fast. Right after basketball, I go right into lacrosse in March so I am going to cherish these moments. I think we have a great chance to do big things this basketball season because we can really accomplish anything if we put our minds to it. And for lacrosse, we have a lot of returning players so we are set up to have another great season. We’re going to make another run for the title so it doesn’t get more exciting than that. I couldn’t be happier with where I am right now and with the decision that I made for college.