As the calendar flips to January, the Reading boys have the makings of a real contender.
Led by guard Shea Donahue and ahead Nahkeem Singleton, Reading is off to a 7-1 begin, which features a Middlesex League highway win over Burlington and a key non-conference win over Pembroke.
The begin to the Rockets’ season has additionally been highlighted by milestones. Tuesday’s win over Stoneham gave head coach Paul Morrissey his three hundredth profession victory.
“We graduated a lot of kids and so we have some new faces,” Morrissey mentioned. “We’ve had some injuries but are starting to get guys back. We’re certainly happy with where we are.”
Donahue is the catalyst for the Rockets. The 5-foot-9 senior is averaging over 20 factors per recreation and has the flexibility to catch fireplace from past the arc, as evidenced by his seven three-pointers versus Burlington. Singleton transferred from Burke previous to final season however suffered a season- ending harm previous to the winter.
This yr, the ahead is imposing his will utilizing his physicality and athleticism to enhance Donahue down low. Singleton scored 18 in Morrissey’s three hundredth profession win.
Running the offense is level guard Jack Murphy. The Rockets turned stronger this previous week when Jake Palm – who hit the game-winning shot versus Arlington within the state match final season – returned on Tuesday from harm.
“We need to become more defensive minded,” Morrissey mentioned. “We have to defend more and we have to rebound at a higher level. We have a few kids that are battling some injuries since the end of their football seasons. As they get back into it we should get even better.”
Most spectacular has been the Rockets’ skill to regulate to opponents’ taking part in types. Morrissey’s group scored 73 factors towards a Pembroke group that performs an aggressive 2-3 zone lure for the whole thing of its contests.
“We like to get outside of our comfort zone and play different types of teams,” Morrissey mentioned. “There are good coaches and teams everywhere, so it’s great to go out and meet and play against new people.”
Reading hosts Lexington and Concord-Carlisle subsequent week earlier than taking a visit to Arlington on Jan. 12.
Dartmouth rolling
Dartmouth’s begin to the ladies season has been nothing in need of good.
Led by star Kat Cheesebro, the Indians are 8-0 heading in the direction of the halfway level. Cheesebro, a junior guard, is averaging 26.5 factors per recreation and scored her 1,000th profession level in Dartmouth’s win over Greater New Bedford on Dec. 30.
Sophomore Kaelyn Zuber supplies scoring depth on the guard place whereas Dartmouth has an inside presence in middle Kate Sullivan. Dartmouth has received all however one recreation – its season opener versus Old Rochester – by double figures.
“Kat has taken her game to a new level and the rest of the team worked so hard this offseason,” Dartmouth coach Brian Jalbert mentioned. “Kaelyn has improved so much and that has provided us so much more flexibility on offense.”
Lily Gangi has taken a leap because the group’s level guard a yr after beginning as a freshman. Her facilitation expertise have supplied open alternatives for Cheesebro and Zuber.
“We’ve got a good team. It’s been a while since we made a good run,” Jalbert mentioned. “We need to stay focused. We cannot be satisfied. We’re still always chasing Bridgewater-Raynham in the league.”
The first extremely anticipated matchup between Dartmouth and perennial state title contender Bridgewater-Raynham takes place Jan. 16. … Cedric Rodriguez had a motive to smile on Tuesday. The senior from Burlington scored his 1,000th profession level within the Red Devils’ 55-54 win over Arlington.
Source: www.bostonherald.com