Coaches’ sons Jack Winsett and Andrew Heck power Eastern basketball

Jack Winsett grew up in the gymnasium at Glassboro High School. His dad was the basketball coach.

Andrew Heck grew up in the gymnasium at Pemberton High School. His dad was the basketball coach.

Now seniors at Eastern, Winsett and Heck form one of South Jersey’s craftiest backcourts. Both can handle the basketball. Both can shoot. Both understand spacing, making the extra pass and the value of defensive diligence.

In other words, both play like coaches’ sons.

“They’re just two basketball junkies,” Eastern coach Kevin Crawford said of Winsett and Heck. “They’re going to know time and score. They’re going to know how an overall program works. They’ve been raised by basketball coaches.”

Winsett’s father, Russ, was the coach at Glassboro for 16 years through the 2012-13 season. Russ and Jack Winsett attend nearly every big game in South Jersey that doesn’t involve Eastern.

“I’m just lucky as a coach to know that Jack Winsett and his dad are going to go see 25-30 games every year,” Crawford said.

Heck’s father, Roy, was the coach at Pemberton for 19 years through the 2016-17 season. Roy and Andrew Heck also are regulars at area games, although Roy Heck sometimes is involved with his daughters Kara and Ryleigh, both of whom are national-caliber field hockey players for Eastern.

“Just growing up around basketball and my dad teaching me everything makes me feel the game as I play it,” Andrew Heck said.

Jack Winsett said he spent much of his early life on the court at Glassboro.

“I was at the Glassboro gym every day, putting shots up,” Jack Winsett said. “Andrew was probably [doing] the same thing.

“As coaches’ sons, we know that when we make a mistake, it’s, ‘OK, next play.’”

Heck averages 10 points and is threat from deep behind the three-point line. Winsett averages 6.1 points and provides steady support on the backboards.

Both guards specialize in getting the basketball to junior swingman Noah Klinewski, who has emerged as a top scorer, and senior center Ryan Ems, the team’s main offensive weapon.

Ems scored a career-high 41 points in Tuesday’s win over rival Cherry Hill East. Afterward, Cougars coach Dave Allen raved about the Vikings’ ability to get the basketball to Ems in position for the sturdy left-hander to score.

Winsett and Heck were the catalysts for that.

“They aren’t really point guards but they’re point guards for us because they are smart, knowledgeable kids,” Crawford said of Winsett and Heck. “They’re just gritty, hard-nosed kids and they do whatever it takes for the team.”

Winsett and Heck both are two-sport standouts at Eastern. Winsett is a top hitter and shortstop for the baseball team, while Heck is coming off a standout season at quarterback for the football team.

Ems said both players are leaders for the basketball team, which was 11-3 through Wednesday with a No. 9 ranking in the Inquirer Top 25.

“Jack always is getting us in position on defense,” Ems said. “Andrew is more of a quiet leader. He’s more in the moment. Andrew really knows what he’s doing on the floor, has great basketball instincts, and Jack’s great with situations and telling everybody what to do.”

Crawford, like his brother Matt, the coach at Camden Catholic, was a coach’s son as both siblings played under their father, Jim, at Camden Catholic.

Kevin Crawford said Winsett and Heck have a unique feel for the game, thanks to all that time in the company of their coaching dads.

“It’s a pleasure to have two coaches' kids on the team,” Crawford said. “It’s a coincidence, but we’re very grateful for having them.”