As the final seconds ticked away to last night's MIAA Division 1 state semifinal at the TD Garden between the boys' basketball teams from Mansfield High and Lynn English High, I couldn't help but get the feeling that I was announcing the game for the team that was just one year away from reaching its full potential.
The elements are there. Most of the Mansfield Hornets' best players will be back next season, and there are newcomers poised to step into greater roles. And yet this team still finished 23-4, which ain't chopped liver, as the saying goes.
 |
Mansfield's Cincere Gill tries to get off a shot
against Lynn English's Ademide Badmus.
(Photo by Mark Stockwell, The Sun Chronicle)
|
Most impressive was Jack Rodriguez, who could not be denied on his daring drives through the paint, and accounted for 20 points. Jarnel Guzman brought the inside-outside game and netted 19. And with those two drawing the attention of the Hornet defense, it left frequent open looks for the big boys -- Mukeba Jean-Baptiste (20 points) and Ademide Badmus (8).
The Bulldogs were also very good at defending the Hornets' dribble-drive offense. Even with the adjustment of bringing T.J. Guy into a hybrid backcourt role in hopes of drawing one or both of the bigs away from the basket, the guards still thwarted most of the Hornets' perimeter looks or passing lanes.
Most telling -- Matty Boen, who torched Lynn English for 32 points in an overtime contest early in the season, was held to six points -- four coming in the last quarter. And Sam Stevens, the Hornets' leading scorer, had four points through three quarters before finishing with 11.
It was a bittersweet career-ender for Stevens, who improved immensely as he attained a larger role in his senior year, pumping 481 points through the twines this season alone. Ditto for Andrew Rooney, who became a truly stellar defender.
But there are glimmers of hope for next year.
One was Cincere Gill, the speedy junior guard, who netted a career-high 17 points with a succession of fearless drives through the tall timber. He missed five games late in the season after a quick repair of a football-related shoulder injury, but made it back to the court ahead of schedule and was a difference-maker at the Garden. If he can make it through his senior football season in the Hornet backfield without further damage, he could be a huge addition to the starting lineup of the hoop squad next year.
The same must be said for Guy, who plays a high-impact position in football, defensive end. He has Division I potential there, but his basketball stills are also improving steadily, He scored 16 points at the Garden, many of those on power moves through the paint, and if he cam come back intact from another football season, it's fair to assume that he will be even stronger and more valuable to the basketball team next year.
Boen, of course, is a terrific player. He does so much, it's almost scary to think what he may become with another year of experience behind him. He will enter next year with 663 career points, Guy has 639, and both could exceed 1,000 if they match or even just slightly exceed their averages from this season. Boen will be the heart and soul of next year's team, I don't doubt that for a minute.
Let's not forget Chris Hill, the 6-3 freshman, who showed the world that he will be more than just a post player with his ability to drop in threes from the corners. He should add a few more inches by next season and will have the offseason to mature physically, and it's fair to assume his career will continue on a significant upward trend.
And in the effort to replace Rooney as the defensive leader of the team, you can expect to see Brendan Foley, Jack Colby and Matt Hyland take steps up to expanded roles next year.
It was a sad Tuesday night at the Garden -- it always is when a season of bright promise comes to an end without the ultimate prize -- but no one's head should be hanging. The 2020-21 season begins today.
No comments:
Post a Comment