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Joe Chatman’s team, attempting to achieve the rare double of city and state championships, advanced to the final four of the MIAA tournament following its 77-55 demolition of Lynn Vocational Technical High School at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School on March 3.
In his second year at the helm of the Bulldogs, Coach Chatman is trying to complete a mission that started with last year’s team, which came up short of its intended goal. “An injury to our star player stopped us from going all the way last year,” said Chatman. “This team is hoping to go all the way this time around.”
Jasaad Fenton shoots over a Lynn Tech defender. PHOTO: CVO
Following their dominant win over Lynn Tech, the Holland Bulldogs moved within two victories of a state championship to match their Boston City title. They will play Monument Mountain High School on Wednesday at Worcester State College.
“Our greatest challenge is to consistently play our best basketball when the stakes are at their highest,” said Chatman, adding, “I want this for these young men. They will have to stay focused to achieve their dream goal. After winning the Boston City championship, we set our sights on the state title — the vaunted double. It will take everything we have to achieve that goal.”
In other actions involving Boston schools, John D. O’Bryant got pelted by second-seeded Bourne, 74-48, in the Division 4 competition. It was a no-contest affair as Bourne, like Holland in its blowout win over Lynn Tech, dominated their game against O’Bryant. Should Holland and Bourne emerge victorious in their upcoming semifinal playoff games, the stage will be set for a rematch of last year’s playoff matchup between the Bulldogs and the Canalmen.
Bourne won last year’s playoff contest by the final score of 71-60, ending the season for the Hub club. And in the words of Coach Chatman, “It would be a tremendous challenge for my team, a chance to avenge last season’s playoff loss to Bourne. But we are not looking past Monument Mountain, our next opponent. That is a recipe for disaster. I’m pretty sure that Bourne is taking the same approach. I have stressed the one-game-at-a-time message to my team. I am confident that they are locked in on the message.”
Nolan Nash of O’Bryant drives to the hole. PHOTO: TRENTEN SHEARER
For the record, Bourne was blown out by Wareham in last year’s MIAA Division 4 championship game to the tune of 86-71, the second straight Division 4 state title win for Wareham. Turning the clock forward to the present, if Cape Cod High School defeats Georgetown High School in their semifinal matchup, the stage will be set for a playoff rematch with the Bulldogs, a rematch that many people want to see.
Fourteenth-seeded Boston Latin Academy went down to sixth-seed Taconic High, 62-55, in overtime in Division 3 competition. With the contest tied at 52 at the end of regulation time, the Thunder of Taconic outscored Latin Academy, 11-3, to record a hard-fought overtime triumph.
In Division 5 play, seventh-seeded New Mission fell to second-seeded Hopedale by the final score of 54-50. This contest was a back-and-forth battle, with New Mission getting a chance at victory, trailing by just three points with possession of the ball with 15 seconds left in regulation. The team committed a critical turnover, taking away their chance at victory.
The Tigers’ Jackson Farrington takes a free throw. PHOTO: TRENTEN SHEARER
Boston English dropped a one-point heartbreaker to the Drury Blue Devils in North Adams. English led by one at the half and had their chances to win coming down the stretch of this high-tension contest. Leading by one point with eight seconds left in regulation, English missed two free throws. Drury got the ball, and James Varellas was fouled. He converted his two clutch free throws to provide the margin of victory. The final score was Drury 57, Boston English 56, a devastating loss for the young men of Boston English.
While congratulations go out to Latin Academy, John D. O’Bryant, New Mission and Boston English for successful seasons and deep runs in state playoff competition, all eyes in the city will be focused on the young men of Dr. Albert D. Holland High School of Technology, the last hope for state championship glory in Massachusetts high school basketball this season.
The Boston City League’s All-Star boys’ and girls’ teams were announced this week:
The girls’ team includes:
Jai’ Reona Brown Carter, shooting guard, Snowden High School
Niko Hamilton, center, Fenway High School
Kiara Collins, point guard, Latin Academy
Melissa Cueva, power forward, O’Bryant High School
Jeanalis Mercardo, point guard, Snowden High School
The boys’ team includes:
Janeudy Collins, point guard, English High School
Gerald Banks, center, Albert D. Holland High School
Jasaad Fenton, point guard, Albert D. Holland High School
Yassine Amghar, guard, Albert D. Holland High School
Krem Amparo, center, Latin Academy
Joe Chatman of Holland HS, Boys’ Coach of the Year
Phibe Pham-Smallwood of Snowden, Girls’ Coach of the Year
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