PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Bangor’s Ben Holland
While basketball fans will remember the Pete Chiaradia’s game-winning layup off Abe Atiyeh’s inbounds pass the most from Saturday’s exciting 66-65 Moravian Academy win over Bangor, there were plenty of big shots in the compelling Colonial League battle. The one right before the game-winner was Ben Holland’s 3-pointer to give the Slaters the lead. It was just one of several huge Holland baskets in a 32-point effort that featured 24 points after halftime. Holland, a senior guard, has delivered big baskets and big performances all season for the Slaters. Over the last four games, Holland has been averaging 29.5 points and is one of the area’s top scorers at over 23 per game. “In his first two seasons on the varsity, he just played his role and sacrificed himself for the good of the team when he could have had better personal stats,” said his father and coach, Bron Holland. “This year, he needs to be the guy and many times he needs to carry us and he’s starting to understand that.”
Holland said it doesn’t come easy for his son to be selfish.
“I explained to him that he’s a senior and has the experience and he needs to do a lot for us,” Bron Holland said. “He not only scores, but still distributes the ball and gets others involved. I’m really proud of how far he’s come.”
With half of the regular season left, Holland is 144 points shy of joining his father as a 1,000-point scorer.
“Barring injury or me benching his butt, he’ll probably get it,” his father quipped.