Changing of guard at Burke
In a way, was destined to be the boys’ basketball coach at Burke.
It’s two days after Christmas at the BABC Holiday Classic in Braintree, and Chatman is wearing a black Burke basketball polo with a white, long-sleeve shirt snug underneath as he stands on the sideline, observing the action on the court. The Bulldogs are locked in a tight battle against Eagle Academy from Brooklyn, with fans in the bleachers standing to watch the tense finish.
Chatman is energetic. He claps when the Bulldogs score, yells reminders to box out, and doesn’t think of taking a seat for the entire second half. There’s a passion in the way he coaches, which excites junior guard Jaeden Roberts.
“He brings a lot of energy,” said Roberts. “It really helps.”
Hired in August, Chatman replaced the highly-successful Sean Ryan, a former Andover star who was an assistant at Central Connecticut State before taking the Burke job in 2014. Ryan revived the program into one of the City League’s best, sharing the 2020 Division 3 state title and winning the past two City League crowns.
Chatman knew it was the perfect job for him when Ryan left for Austin Prep over the summer. The 39year-old grew up in Columbia Point in East Dorchester, about a 15-minute drive from Burke High School down Washington Street, so he understands the community. He’s also deeply connected in the Dorchester basketball scene, forming relationships with many of Burke’s players when they played in the Boston Neighborhood Basketball League and other local rec leagues.
Chatman inherited a team ready to win now. Roberts, a returning Globe All-Scholastic, is the crown jewel. The 6-foot-3-inch lefty is dynamic with the ball in his hands, blessed with the ability to score at all three levels and from all angles. Chatman calls him a “top five, if not top three,” player in the state.
But Roberts is not alone. Junior Jasaad Fenton is a shifty, playmaking guard, forward Jae-Shawn Rogers is a natural scorer, and 6-7 forward Gerald Banks brings size and athleticism as a transfer from Brooke Charter.
Chatman had to gain trust, and there was a nervous energy in the room when he first met his new team, which has players from Brighton, Mattapan, and Dorchester.
“The biggest thing for me was letting them know I was deeply invested in them as not just players but student-athletes and people,” recalled Chatman.
Any anxiety disappeared in the fall when the Bulldogs made a championship run in the Beantown Slam League, knocking off some of the area’s top private schools, such as Nobles, Brimmer & May, and Beaver Country Day.
“It gave them the confidence that our style of play really works when you buy in,” sad Chatman.
Burke is 3-2 with Fenton and Banks sidelined by injury. Both players are expected to return in the coming weeks, but their absences were obvious in close losses to Millbury (53-52) and Eagle Academy (57-54). Those injuries have forced Roberts to shoulder the load offensively. He’s responded by averaging 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals per game, elevating his game behind stellar shot making.
Chatman, who previously coached at the now-defunct Pine Manor College in Newton, envisions a lengthy tenure at Burke. His first goal is to get his squad healthy. But once the roster is intact, he feels the Bulldogs are more than capable of continuing the strong pedigree already established.
“A successful year is everyone getting better, winning a City Championship, and winning a state championship,” said Chatman.
Courtside chatter
▪ Arlington has won four straight, with a different player stepping up each night. The Spy Ponders (4-1) only returned two players with varsity experience, led by senior captain Kayden Mills, a strong guard and Division I football prospect. Juniors Lincoln Fudge and James Dingman are both averaging over 20 points per game. Minus Dingham (family commitment), Arlington still pulled out wins over Arlington Catholic (68-49) and Everett (46-45) to win the Malden Catholic tournament. Senior captain Peter Cloherty delivered the clutch free throw to top Everett. “It was a classic dogfight,” said fifthyear coach Jack Woods.
▪ Oliver Ames coach Eric MacKinnon got his first win in dramatic fashion when Jake Willard drained a halfcourt shot at the buzzer to top Cardinal Spellman, 54-53, in the Muscato Holiday Tournament . . . North Andover won the Commonwealth Motors Classic for the first time in 32 years, topping Lawrence, 68-63, in the final behind 26 points from tournament MVP Zach Wolinski . . . Norwell won its Holiday Invitational with Nick Adams scoring 22 points in a 58-47 win over Holbrook in the final.
▪ Franklin and Wareham competed in the KSA Tournament in Orlando, Fla. over the break and wound up meeting in the final, with Franklin edging out a 70-69 victory behind 22 points from Caden Sullivan and 18 points from tournament MVP Sean O’Leary.