The expectations for the Greenfield boys basketball team might be a little lower this season. For coach Angelo Thomas, that’s what he would prefer.
“The last couple years from the outside there’s been a lot of higher expectations,” Thomas said. “This year, with the graduation from our seniors from last year, the expectations from the outside looking in may be lower. I like that.”
Greenfield already has an elite scorer in Grayson Thomas. The sophomore can score at every level for the Green Wave.
“I feel like we are going to be really good,” Grayson Thomas said. “I want to win a league championship, Western Mass. and make a deep run at states. Practice has been looking pretty good so far, we just have to keep building and getting better every day.”
The rest of the roster is starting to fill out with several players who can play important roles on the team.
“These guys,” Coach Thomas said. “The energy and the enthusiasm is there. Our seniors are showing pretty good leadership. We have some younger guys that are showing some good leadership.”
Even early on in the preseason there are positive signs all over the roster.
“I don’t want to be disrespectful to my teams in the past,” Thomas said. “But this might be the most excited that I’ve been about a season. Just because I know what we can do. These guys could rise to the occasion.
The Green Wave grabbed a couple of talented transfers from Turners Falls in Davian Bala and DaSean Carter. Bodie Burke also returned to the team from Eaglebrook. Burke is an athletic presence on defense for the Green Wave.
Arthur Fitzpatrick provides steady senior leadership for the team.
“I think we are looking pretty decent,” Fitzpatrick said. “We did lose some kids last year. Five or six seniors. Those losses are hard but we are focusing on our chemistry this year. If we keep that up we will pull through.”
Fellow senior Malik Moore will play in the frontcourt this season for the Green Wave. A little undersized, Moore will make up for it with athleticism and tenacity.
“Last year I started on varsity the whole year,” Moore said. “So I think I’ll be fine. I just have to step harder and guard bigs that are going to be way bigger than me. Our team has good help defense. I feel like we will be fine if we help each other with defense.”
Greenfield went 12-11 last season and made it to the Division 4 state tournament Round of 16. The Green Wave lost to O’Bryant High School, 70-67.
“It was a tough season last year,” Angelo Thomas said. “This year we could potentially have more cohesiveness and more camaraderie. The roles will be a little more clearly defined as to who can do what and who can’t do what. I am really looking forward to this year.”
The Green Wave travel to the Berkshires to play Drury on Dec. 12 for their season opener.