With a ton of attention coming his way from opposing defenses, how will Frontier Regional School big man Peter Carey adjust this winter?
The 6-foot-10 center slides into a primary role for the Red Hawks in his junior season, as the local high school boys basketball teams kicked off action on Thursday night.
“We are looking for Peter to take the next step in the progression of a dominant player,” Frontier coach Ben Barshefsky said. “He will be drawing so much attention on the offensive end. The more fluid he is with his footwork and the ability to feel the defense will help him.”
Carey has good handle for a player his size, and can shoot along with his play in the paint. The Red Hawks will have the necessary rim protection with Carey on the defensive end.
With multiple defenders coming his way, Carey will need to make quicker decisions, according to Barshefsky. Carey was a league All-Star last season.
The Red Hawks made it to the Division 3 semifinals last season, losing to Narragansett after winning the Hampshire League North Division title.
There are several players who will now play a bigger role for this year’s team.
“There’s some pretty good shooters out here,” Barshefsky said. “It’s a very physical group. We’ll see how quickly we gel. It’s going to take some time.”
Sean Richter, Brett Robinson and Gabe Gochinski can all knock down shots for Frontier.
Donovan Hoffman makes his return after missing last season with a knee injury.
Meadows looks for consistency
Mason Meadows has all the tools for Greenfield High School: athleticism, quickness and size.
“I think Mason is going to have a big year,” Greenfield coach Angelo Thomas said. “Depending on consistency and understanding how to play.”
Meadows can be a top rebounder and defender when fully engaged.
“I need to know that every rebound that you go for will be your last,” Thomas said of Meadows. “Every move needs to have a purpose.”
Guard Ryan Cote is another play for the Green Wave who could have a breakout season, according to Thomas.
Maverick Ward is a newcomer with some size for Greenfield.
Ward is 6-foot-3 with a good feel for the game.
“Long, lanky basketball body with good instincts,” Thomas said of Ward. “He’s got the mid-range, the long-range and he’s active around the hoop.”
Another player to watch is Dave Carey, who can do a lot of things well on the floor.
Julius Brewington is a strong, tough presence in the paint for the Green Wave.
Numbers low for Pioneer
The Panthers had 12 players show up for tryouts this season. Nine seniors graduated from last year’s team.
Guards Troy Emond and Jared Hubbard both return for the Panthers after making the Hampshire League South All-Star team last season.
Hubbard and Emond will lead a team that made the Div. 4 semifinals last season after winning the title the previous season.
Liam Curtis, Ryan Potter and Jayden Fox will have an increased roll for the undersized Panthers.
Sam Glazier, a freshman, has some size in the middle.
The style of play won’t change for Pioneer. The long-range shots will continue to go up.
“We don’t have that quite yet,” Pioneer coach Scott Thayer said. “But we will shoot them. We are trying to keep it simple.”
Thayer said the team added some new wrinkles to their motion offense to facilitate more scoring with the young team.
It’s Barnes’ show in Orange
Everything starts with the point guard play from senior Charlie Barnes for the Mahar basketball team.
Barnes leads the team on both ends of the floor.
The Senators have some size with Eli Gonzalez, Jakob Carron and Zack Notre returning to bang in the paint.
Newcomer Aden Santana also plays in the paint with some floor-spacing ability.
Matt Lyseiuk has a good shot from outside, and after a breakout football season the Senators are eager to see what Jake Tenney will do in his junior season.
Time is now for Athol
The Red Raiders have a good senior core returning this season led by point guard Bryce King and forward Mark Ferrari.
One big question for the Red Raiders is what they will get from junior Noah Pottinger. The left-handed swing man can put it on the floor and get to the rim.
Couple that with his ability to shoot from the outside and Pottinger could present a lot of problems for opposing defenses.
Riley Paine and Nick Bousquet can knock down outside shots for the Red Raider at shooting guard. Paine will miss the beginning of the season with a knee injury.
One weakness for Athol is the lack of size.
“We are hopeful,” Athol coach Dan Bevis said. “The pieces are there, we just need to put it all together.”
Franklin Tech built around Cole
Garret Cole will look to build around a solid junior season for the Eagles. The 6-foot-4 center can rebound and score in the paint with a jumper built for 15 feet and in.
Cole anchors Franklin Tech’s defense with rim protection.
The offense will begin with freshman point guard Ty Sadowski, who plays with the temperament of an upperclassmen, according to coach Tim Artus.
Bailey Young and newcomer Ryan Artus space the floor from the shooting guard position.
Justin Littlewood leads the defensive effort with hustle and food on-ball skills.
Peterson closes in on milestone for Thunder
To get to the 1,000-point mark for Turners Falls, Anthony Peterson will need to average in double figures to secure a spot on a banner in his senior season.
The Thunder lack varsity experience outside of Peterson and forward Chace Novak. Guard Jaden Whiting could slide into a starting spot this season.
Marcus Sanders and Liam Driscoll have impressed in the preseason with their effort, according to coach Gary Mullins. Brendan Driscoll could provide some scoring off the bench for Turners Falls.
Mohawk Trail building with strong junior class
The Warriors have a class of nine juniors, and some are building on a year’s worth of varsity experience from last season.
Shawn Davenport, Cam Lococo, Reuben Bassett and Austin Sumner all figure to be even better this season for Mohawk Trail.
Anthony Moffatt brings some senior leadership with an increased role on offense.
“He was probably our best shooter last year and we are looking to improve on that,” Mohawk coach Darren Schmidt said.
Lococo is the team’s defensive leader.
“We are definitely looking for some intense defense coming back for Cam Lococo,” Schmidt said.
Tyler Dubreuil runs the point for the Warriors.
Athol
COACH: Dan Bevis
LEAGUE/DIVISION: HL North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 2-18
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2006) Lost to South Hadley in Div. 3 quarterfianls
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors — Bryce King, PG; Nick Bousquet SG, Mark Ferrari, F; Riley Paine, SG; Juniors – Noah Pottinger, F;
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Maysin Tarbell, F; Jaycob Lamarche, G; Juniors – Nathan Heath, F.
NEWCOMERS: Juniors – Manny O’Lari, F; Jack Bonenfant, F; Evan Mayer, F; Tyler Goodwin; Sophomore – Vincent Gordon, G.
FC Tech
COACH: Tim Artus
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri County
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-11
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2018) Lost to Pioneer Valley Regional in the Div. 4 quarterfinals.
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Garrett Cole, C; Justin Littlewood, F; Hunter Wozniak, SG; Bailey Young, SG;
NEWCOMERS: Juniors – Ryan Artus, F/G; Ryan Bergmann, G; Austin Demers, G; Dylan Demers, G; Dylan McLaughlin, G; Sophomore – Tristan Dudyck, F; Freshman – Ty Sadowski, G.
Frontier
COACH: Ben Barshefsky
LEAGUE/DIVISION: HL North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 20-4
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2019) lost to Narragansett in the Div. 3 semifinals.
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Collin Boudreau; Gabe Gochinski; Donovan Hoffman; Gabe Jones-Thomson; Brett Robinson; Owen Walkowicz. Juniors – Peter Carey.
NEWCOMERS: Juniors – DJ Dragicevich; Sean Richter; Gehrig Brynda; Jacob Dodge; Adan Hernandez; Ethan Machon.Sophomores – Jake Hanieski; Iain Spearane.
Greenfield
COACH: Angelo Thomas
LEAGUE/DIVISION: HL North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-10
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2019) Lost to Murdock in the Div. 3 first round
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors: Kenny Adams, F; Julius Brewington, F; Gabe Larouche, G; Gabe Cruz, G; Juniors Brody Baird, F; Jake Sak, F; Henry Zwart, G;
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores – Ryan Cote, G; Dave Carey, G; Sam Gibson, S; Maverick Ward, F.
Mahar
COACH: Chad Softic
LEAGUE/DIVISION: HL South
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 13-8
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2019) Lost to Palmer in the Div. 3 first round.
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors – Charlie Barnes, G; Noaha Chabot G/F; Juniors – Jake Tenney, G; Jakob Carron.
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Aiden Lupien, G; Zack Notre, C; Juniors: Matt Lyesiuk, F; Eli Gonzalez, C.
NEWCOMERS: Juniors: Aden Santana, F; Aydan Sevigny, F; Luke Melanson, F; Elias Spencer, F; Charlie Anderson, G; Sophomore: Cole Johnson, F; Freshmen: Gavin Sullivan, G; Connor Sluder, C.
Mohawk Trail
COACH: Darren Schmidt
LEAGUE/DIVISION: HL North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-14
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2009) Lost to Drury in the Div. 2 semifinals
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Anthony Moffatt, G; Shawn Davenport, G; Cam Lococo, G; Austin Sumner, G; Tyler Debreuil, G.
NEWCOMERS: Seniors – Logan Platek, F; Juniors – Remick Bakey, F; Reese Basara, F; Jaime Colmenarejo, G; Matt Gabaree, G; Matt Pollen, G.
Pioneer
COACH: Scott Thayer
LEAGUE/DIVISION: HL South
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 19-4
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2019) Lost to Drury in the Div. 4 semifinals
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Richie Kane; Colyn Brechenser; Juniors – Liam Curtis-Bradley; Troy Emond; Sophomores – Sean Allen; Jayden Fox; Jared Hubbard; Jalen McGraw; Caleb Seaman, Max Young, Ryan Potter.
NEWCOMERS: Freshman – Sam Glazier.
Turners Falls
COACH: Gary Mullins
LEAGUE/DIVISION: HL South
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-10
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2019) Lost to Lee in the Div. 4 first round.
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors – Anthony Peterson, C; Jaden Whiting, G; Junior – Chace Novak, G.
RETURNING PLAYERS: Juniors – Ryan Duclos, F.
NEWCOMERS: Seniors – John Fritz, F; Liam Driscoll, F; Marcus Sanders, G; Sophomore – Brandon Driscoll, G; Freshman – Logan Addison.
