Hooping it up
BY STEVE SHEPPARD
After posting a 12-9 record and making it to the state tournament last year with three freshmen starters, the boys' basketball team prepares to defend its Lighthouse Conference title.

This year's Whalers squad features several underclassmen. Sophomore Chris Welch takes the ball upcourt during Saturday's scrimmage against East Windsor, Conn.

"We had a young squad last year, and we have a lot of players returning," head coach Beau Almodobar said. "We only lost one starter (Wesley Lamotta) and although we're still young we have a lot of speed."

With a roster composed predominantly of juniors and seniors, Almodobar says this is a team that has the potential to mature into a solid unit. "We haven't had this much talent in a long time," he said. "We're going to play a fast-paced style of basketball that should be fun to watch."

Led by junior captain Jordan Ferreira, the Whalers hope to build on last year's successes with returners Adam Spencer, Delroy Lawrence, Kevin Stanton, Tomas Smaliorius, Andriques Farmer, Eric Lowell, Evan Hourihan and Jordan Beans. Up from the junior varsity roster are Chris Welch, Josh Butler, Blair Jannelle and Hakeem Lecky. "The nice thing is that everyone can be a starter," Almodobar said. "Now we're just trying to find the right combinations to better identify our roles."

Although practices began just a week ago, the team has already scrimmaged East Windsor, CT (led by former Whalers coach George Thomas). The games begin for real this weekend when the Whalers take on always tough Avon in an away game. The first home game is next Monday against Chatham.

The goals this year are the same as last year: to win the conference title, to reach the state tournament and to improve on last year's record. After going 15 years without a league championship, the team has captured two league titles in the past three years.

"It's been fun the last couple of years," Almodobar noted.

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