Rockets set to fly
Loaded Needham aims to complete trip to finals
DIV. 1 BOYS HOOP
Needham captured the program’s first Division 1 South sectional title a year ago. This time around, the Rockets are looking to soar even higher.
The return of Herald Dream Teamer Thomas Shaughnessy along with backcourt partner Brandon Monheimer and forwards Will Cooper and Michael Klemm gives Needham plenty of reason for optimism.
The road won’t be easy for the Rockets as they will face plenty of challenges within the Bay State Conference. Start with Newton North, which returns Dream Teamer Ethan Wright, guard Noah Neville, center Aaron Cooley and forward Ezra Pemstein. The Tigers did take a major hit with the news that Chris Matthews is out with a possible season-ending knee injury.
The wild card is Brookline, a talented team that had some ups and downs a season ago. New coach Courtney Valentine inherits a team that features forward Chris Camille, guard Mark Barrett and several others who saw playing time last year.
Braintree didn’t get waivers for Anthony Peacock and Alex Kennedy, but never sell a Bob Crookcoached team short. Guard Marco Carnes and forward Cole Buckley will be among those expected to pick up some of the slack. Wellesley returns guards Ryan Murrey and Alex Stoddard along with forward Alex Barron, while BSC Herget MVP Peter Ryan is back for Natick.
In the Catholic Conference, BC High will lean on All-Scholastic guard Travis Evee, backcourt partner Mike Vasil, and forwards Troy Salmans and Jimmy Tran. Archrival Catholic Memorial is guard-heavy as Will McDonnell, Kani Glover, Jarron Flynn and Jarrett Martin are back.
Bridgewater-Raynham, which had a breakout season in reaching the semifinals, returns point guard Doug Alves and shooting guard Darrius Hyppolite. Hope is high in Brockton as forwards Abu Kaba and Taisaun Glenn-Doherty lead an experienced group. Former New Bedford great Brian Rudolph takes over at his alma mater and will depend on several new faces, including transfer guard Elijah Diaz.
Mansfield should be a force in the Hockomock League once again, as guards Tyler Boulter and Sam Hyland join forwards John McCoy and Ryan Otto. Taunton is expecting big things from sophomore Dante Law.
Franklin made it to the Div. 1 state final last season and has All-Scholastic shooting guard Paul Mahon back with forward Jalen Samuels and point guard Chris Edgehill.
In the North, Cambridge will aim for its third straight Div. 1 state title. Forwards Jonathan Cenescar and Khai Smith along with guard Aidan Keefer return for the Falcons. St. John’s Prep has plenty of experience back with guards Nate Hobbs and Jarnel Snow-Guzman as well as forwards Tommy O’Neil and Matt Relihan.
Lynn Classical moves up to Div. 1 North after nearly knocking off eventual champion Brighton in the Div. 2 North final last season. New coach Jasper Grassa takes over for his father Tom, and he has guards Jaylen Johnson and Erick Solis back along with forward Edwin Solis.
Everett coach John DiBiaso enters his final season needing 20 wins to get to the 500-win mark. He will have guards Ghared Boyce and Shooby Beldor back with forward Isaiah Likely.
The North version of the Bay State Conference is the Merrimack Valley Conference, a league with quality teams in Div.1 alone.
Lowell returns star guard Alex Rivera, backcourt mates Rashawn Settles, Nate Siow and Carlos Nunez as well as forward Justin Villanueva. John Walsh takes over at Central Catholic and will count on forwards Colin Bradanese and Kevin Constant along with guards Bret Edwards and Dom Keegan.
Lawrence is the sleeper of the group, a dangerous team with guards Juan Felix Rodriguez, Cristian Kinsley and Luis Reynoso back. Methuen will look to forward Evan Hardy and guard Dante Rivera, while Andover will lean on guards Emmett Kim and Cedric Gillette.