While Bourne has been a identified amount over the bridge, however now it’s began to place the remainder of the state on discover.
Courtesy of a lineup that encompasses a multitude of playmakers, together with guard Leo Andrade and star forwards Nate Reynolds and Mike Dankert, Bourne is 13-1 and sits because the No. 3 seed in Div. 4 because the state match approaches.
The Bourne offense has been one of many high in Eastern Mass. this season, averaging 75 factors per sport. It has reached the 80-point plateau on 4 events and scored over 90 factors twice. Leading the cost is Andrade, whose potential to alter tempo and athleticism make him an ideal match to command the Bourne offense. Inside, the 6-foot-6 Reynolds and 6-foot-5 Dankert maintain the flexibility to publish nightly double-doubles.
Scott Ashworth, in his twenty third season as head coach, credit his roster for making it a precedence to get collectively within the offseason.
“We had the best offseason that we’ve had since I’ve been the coach,” Ashworth mentioned. “The Mass. State Police ran a spring league at the Hyannis Youth Center that my guys wanted to be part of and then they played in our same summer league.”
The returning roster performed over 20 offseason video games collectively earlier than tryouts even started in November. That, on high of the low season AAU applications that Ashworth’s youngsters participated in, allowed for fast chemistry on the court docket.
“The spring and summer leagues helped us collectively, while AAU helped the kids develop their skill sets individually,” Ashworth mentioned.
Bourne’s 13-1 mark is battle-tested. The Canalmen handed Somerset-Berkley its solely loss, a 77-65 street win on Jan. 16 behind 27 factors from Andrade. Then, most notably on Jan. 25, Bourne defeated rival and defending Div. 4 champion Wareham, 71-61. In the competition, 4 Bourne gamers scored at the least 16 factors with Dankert posting 19 factors and 14 rebounds.
“Wareham is our biggest rival whether they’re in the South Coast Conference or not,” Ashworth mentioned. “Regardless of that, the kids showed up and played with the same unselfishness they have all year. They play hard, share the ball, and most importantly like each other as teammates and friends.”
Bourne has its sights set on a high 4 seed in Div. 4, a key accomplishment to safe as much as three residence video games within the state match. Until that time, nevertheless, there is just one pace in Ashworth’s gymnasium.
“We go, go, go,” Ashworth mentioned. “I only know one way. Whatever time we’re out there, we use that time to get better. We’re good, but we’re not even close to where we can be.”
Amesbury supported
Second-year Amesbury ladies coach Scott Brown is gathering loads of help for the varsity’s basketball applications.
Courtesy of a handful of high-profile backers, Brown has made it so all the 2 groups should concentrate on is the court docket. New Balance chairman Jim Davis provided the girls and boys groups with new uniforms for gratis together with warmup and apply jerseys.
Autofair Toyota of Tewksbury and Haverhill, together with a bunch of others, have mixed to donate $10,000 to the basketball program during the last two years. The cash has gone in direction of capturing weapons and machines.
“Getting good, supportive boosters is really important,” Brown mentioned. “It’s really rewarding and the girls really appreciate it. It allows us as coaches to just focus on the basketball side of things. The generosity we’ve received is off the charts.”
Brown inherited a defending state championship program within the winter of 2022 that misplaced all 5 of its starters. One season after going 1-19 with a primarily underclassmen group, Amesbury is 4-10 whereas beginning three freshmen. Brown is a substitute trainer within the district.
“Our girls are very committed and regardless of the scoreboard play to the final buzzer,” Brown mentioned.
Source: www.bostonherald.com