HOLBROOK – Holbrook coach Rich Gifford wanted a second try on Monday night time, however he got here away with victory No. 500 to turn into the twenty ninth in state historical past with the milestone win.
Holbrook received out to an early 30-4 benefit and coasted from there for a 68-41 victory over nonleague opponent Boston Collegiate at dwelling.
“It’s unbelievable,” stated Gifford concerning the accomplishment. “I thought 400 was big, but 500, only 24 or 25 guys that have won more. It’s unbelievable. I have great kids and I’ve had great kids with old Avon guys (in attendance). It’s a lot of wins.”
The Weymouth native received 4 state titles and about 270 of the five hundred wins at Avon earlier than retiring from the place in 2011 with the likes of Mike Ford and Julius Hood. With now over 32 years of head teaching expertise, the coach is greater than grateful to all of the gamers he has coached alongside the best way.
“That’s the amazing part,” Gifford stated about teaching a number of generations via his almost 50 whole years of teaching. “(Sophomore) Allen Brown, Jr. will be the next 1,000-point scorer. Ironically, the older guys (I coached at Avon) still call me ‘Coach’ and they just know me as ‘Coach.’ That’s what it is all about.”
It was senior captain and 1,000-point scorer Armani Perkins who led with 14 factors with 9 of these coming within the first quarter of motion.
“It’s great,” stated Perkins about enjoying for Gifford. “He’s a great coach and he pushes us every day. Everyone in the gym just gets better every single day. Just that 1% just gets us to play well every year. It’s been great playing with him.”
Senior captain Cam Campbell added 12 factors with six in every of the primary two quarters as Holbrook (13-5) led 47-12 on the half earlier than Gifford performed his full bench as 11 of 16 gamers scored, together with all gamers on the varsity roster.
“It feels really good getting (No. 500) for him,” Campbell stated. “It was disappointing that we couldn’t get it for him Friday (against Latin Academy), but we got it today. I’m sure he is very excited that he got it and he’s overall such a great coach. … By him coaching, I feel like he makes everyone better.”
Gifford’s report now stands at 500-202 with two video games left at Wayland and at South Shore Charter earlier than event seedings are introduced.
“Friday night was tough on them,” stated Gifford concerning the loss towards Latin Academy in his first try at 500. “I’ve been doing this for a whole bunch of years. … Now, we can just go out and play basketball. Maybe. We’ll make a little run like we did last year.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com