Milford’s senior moments
Ready to challenge Hockomock League’s best
The phrase ‘senior-laden’ is often thrown around to describe a veteran team, but for Milford this winter it carries extra meaning.
IN THE PAINT
In its first season as a member of the Hockomock League’s Kelley-Rex Division, Milford has 13 seniors as it seeks to prove that it can compete with some of the premiere programs in Massachusetts before it turns Division 1 next year for the new MIAA statewide tournament.
A season ago the Scarlet Hawks claimed the Hockomock’s Davenport Division crown and reached the Division 2 Central Sectional semifinals. Now, coach Paul Seaver hopes that behind 10 captains, 12 seniors who have played together for nearly a decade, and the infusion of 6-foot-3 Brady Olson, who has transferred for his senior year from Bishop Feehan, the Scarlet Hawks can challenge the likes of Mansfield, Attleboro and Franklin.
“We could not be more thrilled to be on the side of the Kelley-Rex this year and then going Division 1 next year,” Seaver said. “The town and the school are growing. Milford has always been hungry and ready to compete at that next level in the state of Massachusetts and I am excited for the challenge.”
While 10 captains may seem like a lot, Seaver is using the designation as a sign of trust in both their abilities, but more importantly the leaders they have developed into away from the court. Seaver has eyed the 2020-21 campaign for nearly four years. Noticing that a strong core of players had entered Milford as freshmen, Seaver thought this season would be the year the Scarlet Hawks elevated to statewide prominence. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, however, all MIAA tournaments have been canceled, leaving Milford left to prove that their cohesion, chemistry and experience allows them to compete with the best of the Hockomock League.
“This class is just special,” Seaver said. “Every class is different, but every coach knows when they have a strong group that’s together. This year with 13 seniors, who are all close friends, all know how to play together and have played together for a while, the cohesion and chemistry on and off the court is as good as it can be.”
Leading the group are the two leading scorers from last year in guard Ben Blanchard and forward Jordan Darling. Blanchard averaged 13.8 points per game while Darling averaged 13 more as both were named Hockomock League All-Stars. Alongside them is plenty of depth as future UMass Amherst defensive tackle Dom Schofield helps anchor the frontcourt alongside Sean Murray, Jack LeBlanc, and Sean Murray. Olson, headed to UMass as a quarterback, will be a key contributor. The only junior on the team, Quincy Porcha, is the backup point guard.
Seaver’s excitement is notable.
“We cannot compete for a state championship this year of course, but what’s important is they just get the chance to play together,” Seaver said. “Every night could be senior night or the final game of the year so we’re enjoying this ride.”
Grateful to have a season
Arlington girls coach Lindsey Roche admits that even up until Thanksgiving she did not believe a season was possible. Now that it’s here, Roche has been more than impressed with what she has seen.
Buoyed by the duo of senior captains Claire Ewen and Ava Connolly, the Spy Ponders look like one of the premiere teams in the Middlesex League. Ewen and Connolly lead a veteran group that includes eight seniors.
“Claire and Ava have been leaders of this program longer than I have been here,” said Roche, who is in her second year at the helm. “We have a great group of seniors that have played together since third grade. I am glad that at the very least these girls get to go out with a bang.”
While Arlington will not get to prove itself as one of the top teams in Division 2 statewide, they have plenty of opportunities to prove it against the likes of Woburn, Belmont, Winchester and Lexington. The Spy Ponders are currently only scheduled to play games on Saturdays and a few holidays, played well in their first game, defeating Woburn, 43-34, on Jan. 2. The star in that game, Claire Flanigan, has given Roche a quality third scorer along with Ewen and Connolly. Roche noticed Flanigan’s growth as a player during tryouts and her 18-point performance versus the Tanners only cemented her confidence that she can add a whole other dimension to the Spy Ponders attack.
“You can just tell (Flanigan) is just much more comfortable and prepared in her role now,” Roche said. “She has made that big jump players will make going from being a junior to a senior.”
GBL sets March 1 start
The Greater Boston League announced they will be pushing off the start of winter sport competitions until March 1. The league considered in late fall starting the winter season on Dec. 14, but determined it was unsafe to do so in too many of the league’s communities. Practices can begin on Feb. 1 and games can start March 1 and will last through April 10.
The number of teams active on the hoop circuit continues to fluctuate. The Hockomock League started last Tuesday and the Catholic Conference and Tri-Valley League finally got underway Friday. The Boston City League and Merrimack Valley Conference are scheduled to begin basketball activities for all schools able to participate on Monday. While there is no schedule in place yet, the BCL is hoping to play games by the end of the month.
On the South Shore, a number of Patriot League teams have seen their programs go dark for at least the next week with defending Division 2 state co-champion WhitmanHanson, Marshfield, Scituate and Plymouth North all sidelined as their schools have gone fully remote until Jan. 19 due to rising COVID-19 cases in the district.