Unusual bond between rivals
Dover-Sherborn’s Luke Rinaldi sank a buzzerbeater to beat Millis in the third game of his freshman season. From that point on, D-S coach Rick Grady knew he had a talent to build around for the next four years.
Rinaldi was inserted in the starting lineup a few games later and has never left, leading D-S to new heights as a senior. The Raiders are off to an 8-0 start and rank No. 15 in this week’s Globe Top 20.
“I think my game is the best it has ever been and it helps that we’re off to a great start,” said Rinaldi. “We have super high goals this year and I focused a lot this offseason on just coming back as the best player I could be.”
The 6-foot-3-inch wing is averaging 18.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game and is the front-runner to capture the Tri Valley Small MVP after finishing runner-up last season.
Rinaldi’s evolution is what captivates Grady. Rinaldi was a scrawny role player as a freshman, then primarily played in the paint as a back-to-the-basket scorer as a sophomore.
But over the past two years, Rinaldi transformed to become a knockdown shooter and playmaker. Some games, Rinaldi will play inside and use his scoring touch and footwork to provide a paint presence. Other games, he’ll play on the perimeter where his size and shooting ability (38 percent on 3-pointers) creates mismatches against smaller defenders.
“What I’ve seen this year is an improved shooter and an improved defender,” said Grady. “I’m not surprised because I know how hard Luke works to become a complete player. Each year I’ve seen his game grow to a new level.”
Rinaldi, who is committed to Claremont McKenna College outside Los Angeles, took off this summer on the AAU circuit with the Middlesex Magic, a team filled with some of the MIAA’s top players such as Hingham’s Liam McBride, Pembroke’s Brady Spencer, and Norwood’s Noah Beaudet.
Rinaldi recruited Beaudet to the team this summer. Rivals during TVL play, Beaudet and Rinaldi formed a close friendship and spent the fall battling in competitive one-on-one sessions, bonding over their similar backgrounds as star players for small schools in the same league.
“We play together as much as possible because it’s so valuable playing with high-level guys like him,” said Rinaldi. “It’s beneficial learning and playing with him. We became really good friends on and off the court.”
A returning Globe All-Scholastic, Beaudet fielded prep offers this summer, but decided to stay at Norwood to finish his career after winning the TVL Large MVP and leading the Mustangs to the Division 2 state final.
Under first-year coach Chris Fraioli, Beaudet is averaging 26.8 points per game. Already a lethal shooter, the 6-1 guard said he returned this season quicker, helping him attack the basket and finish at the rim with greater success.
“It’s definitely a nice luxury to have a guy who can knock down shots,” said Fraioli, who replaced Kristen McDonnell after 25 years at Dedham.
Rinaldi and Beaudet recognize how similar they are: four-year varsity players, role players as underclassmen, go-to scorers as upperclassmen, and simultaneously on pace to reach 1,000 career points next month.
“Having Luke as a friend and tool has helped me raise my basketball game,” said Beaudet.
“He got me on the Magic team and we formed a great bond. Playing with him gave me collegelevel competition.”
Rinaldi and Beaudet will face off for the final time Jan. 17.
Courtside chatter
R The first Citi Team High School Hoops Classic is set to take place at Emmanuel College on Sunday. The action features several top-tier games, capped by a potential D1 state final preview between No. 1 Lawrence and Worcester North, which is coming off a 54-51 victory over 2022 D1 finalist Newton North. The action kicks off at noon with five boys’ games and a girls’ matchup between Cathedral and Bishop Stang.
R Norwell defeated defending D4 state champion Randolph, 59-40, Friday night, ending the state’s longest win streak at 29 games. Defending D2 state champion Malden Catholic now owns the longest win streak at 20 games.
R North Quincy coach Kevin Barrett reached 179 wins over 17 seasons to become the winningest coach in program history when Zach Taylor provided two clutch free throws to lift the Raiders (6-1) in a 60-59 thriller against Pembroke Friday . . . Arlington Catholic senior guard Ryan Svendsen topped 1,000 career points during Friday’s 66-63 loss to Bishop Stang . . . Franklin junior forward Sean O’Leary poured in a career-high 34 points for the Panthers in a 6153 win over Taunton.