Masco varsity boys’ basketball is looking to repeat last year’s success by making another potential Final 4 run.
Last year, the Chieftains suffered a heartbreaking loss in the Final 4 to Somerset Berkley, who eventually won the MIAA Division 2 state championship.
Last year no one really knew how good the Chieftains were going to be. With a brand new coaching staff everything was up in the air. However, this year is different.
The Chieftains have championship aspirations this season, but now the goal is still far away.
Head coach Jacob Morales is looking forward to more success after winning NEC Coach of the Year last season and knows his players are ready for the task at hand.
“I think most of my players have been ready and still have the pit in their stomach from the Final 4 game,” said Morales. “I know we’re eager to play, we’re eager to get back on the court, we’re eager to be around each other and continue to build that same culture I’ve been building for the past year and having men take pride in their own community and hold each other accountable.”
One of those players is senior captain Jimmy Farell. Farrell was an NEC All Conference member last year and has been on the team since his freshman year.
Farrell was a captain last year as well, and is ready to take on the role of being a captain by himself.
“I had a great co-captain in Devin O’Brien. We worked really well together and he showed me how to be a senior captain. Being alongside such a good captain allowed me to become the leader I am today,” said Farrell.
With O’Brien graduating, Morales is looking for someone to fill his role.
“We’re missing a lot with Devin and Hunter [Rossi] gone. The steps of Thomas Denton, Jameson Vella, and Jimmy Farrell have made in the last six months have been tremendous. Just them three will be able to fill in the gaps. I expect a big year out of Cal Weidman as well as JP [Jonathan Pinelli] and Matteo [Stefanelli]. Those guys have the potential to really make a statement within the state,” said Morales.
Denton, Vella, and Weidman were all NEC All-Stars last year, but Denton in particular is looking to improve his resume even more.
Denton of course said his main goal is to help his team in any way possible, but is looking for two individual goals.
“I’m looking to be NEC All-Conference and All Salem News,” said Denton.
Last year Denton took the scene as being a starter for the Chieftains as a sophomore and will be a key piece to a potential title run.
One team the Chieftains will have to beat to win the NEC will be the Beverly Panthers.
The Panthers have last year’s NEC MVP in senior Jacob Klass who has lit up the NEC for years.
The Chieftains beat them twice last year in their undefeated conference campaign yet the Panthers are still ranked #6 in the Boston Globe rankings while the Chieftains are #10.
The Chieftains know that Beverly will be a challenge, but for right now they will have to focus on beating the Peabody Tanners December 14 on the road and the Gloucester Fishermen December 19 for the home opener.