By Adam Frank
After a difficult start, the boys’ basketball team has beaten Lincoln-Sudbury and Cambridge Rindge and Latin, improving to 2-6 and giving them confidence as they continue conference play.
On Friday, South beat Cambridge Rindge and Latin by 21 points. Last year, Cambridge beat the Lions by 15, and two years ago by 50.
The team is showing signs of progress, but senior captain Barak Swarttz is still dissatisfied with their record. “It’s frustrating because a team’s record is supposed to reflect how good they are and our record doesn’t reflect how good we really are,” Swarttz said.
Sophomore Geoffery Gray, the team’s starting point guard, agrees with Swarttz. “I don’t think our record shows our hard work, progress and talent,” Gray said.
South has been a victim of several close games this season. Four of the team’s six losses have been by a total of 20 points, and the players know that they could have won several of these contests.
South’s season opener was against Catholic Memorial, ranked 18th in the state by ESPN. After South finished last season 2-18, they entered this game as a significant underdog but almost defeated Catholic Memorial in overtime, losing a thrilling game, 80-78. The team also nearly completed a stunning comeback against Newton North, falling just short in the final minutes 67-62.
South finally broke through with its first win against Lincoln-Sudbury last Friday, then proceeded to rout Cambridge on the road. Gray, however, believes these first couple of wins should have come much earlier in the season.
Swarttz feels that South needs focus on preparing mentally for games and “staying in the game when it’s winning time.”
“The team needs to work on closing games and not giving up leads,” Gray added. “While there are aspects of the game we need to work on, we are playing solid defense.”
Following the team’s difficult start, coach Joe Killilea has implemented some strategic changes, including shuffling the starting lineup.
“Coach is doing a good job coaching, teaching and everything he can do to help the team, but it is up to us to translate that into games,” Swarttz said.
Swarttz and Gray believe that if they play how they practice and execute, they should keep winning games and have a successful finish to the season.
“We need to come out strong from the time of tip off until the game ends and the buzzer sounds,” Swarttz said.
