Boys basketball preview: Loaded Hampshire League South up for grabs again

Mahar's Morgan Softic drives to the rim against Boston English  during an MIAA Div. 5 quarterfinal contest in Orange last year.

Mahar's Morgan Softic drives to the rim against Boston English during an MIAA Div. 5 quarterfinal contest in Orange last year. STAFF PHOTO/THOMAS JOHNSTON

Greenfield’s Jon Breor looks to shoot over Mahar’€™s Marshall Ames in Greenfield last year.

Greenfield’s Jon Breor looks to shoot over Mahar’€™s Marshall Ames in Greenfield last year. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL Franz

Pioneers Brayden Thayer dribbles around a New Mission defender in the MIAA Division 5 boys basketball state semifinal game at Worcester State University last year.

Pioneers Brayden Thayer dribbles around a New Mission defender in the MIAA Division 5 boys basketball state semifinal game at Worcester State University last year. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL Franz

Athol head coach Brian Patria talks with his team in between quarters against Hampshire Regional in Westhampton last year.

Athol head coach Brian Patria talks with his team in between quarters against Hampshire Regional in Westhampton last year. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Staff Writer

Published: 12-15-2024 3:23 PM

Modified: 12-15-2024 3:53 PM


Predicting Hampshire League South contests was no easy task last winter. 

The league was loaded with depth and talent, evidenced by six of the seven teams making the state playoffs. There, Mahar and Pioneer proceeded to go on runs to the MIAA Div. 5 Final Four, while Drury reached the D5 Elite Eight. Greenfield and Frontier both made it to the D4 Round of 32 while Hopkins reached the D5 Round of 32. Only Lenox failed to make the state tournament. 

With the majority of teams bringing back their key cogs, expect another league title race that goes down to the wire. 

“I thought our league — respective to divisions — was top-to-bottom the best in Western Mass.,” Green Wave coach Angelo Thomas said. “It’s going to be a fun time again this year. There are four or five teams that can win it. You’d rather have competitive games every night than a bunch of blowouts.” 

It was the Wave that powered through to win the ever-competitive league, winning its final five league games to do so. Greenfield returns four starters — Jon Breor, Caleb Thomas, Caleb Murray and Grayson Thomas, who are also the Wave’s top scorers — from last year’s squad, which will have its eyes on bringing some hardware back to Nichols Gymnasium. 

The Senators and Panthers were right there in the league title race and return teams that will push to usurp the Wave. Mahar — which won a Western Mass. Class C championship to go along with its semifinal run — returns Jayden Delgado and Morgan Softic, its two leading scorers from a season ago. Pioneer brings back 1,000 point scorer Brayden Thayer as well as Kurt Redeker and Alex McClelland, three of the Panthers’ catalysts on their Final Four run.  

“In this league, you can go 10-8 and have a good season,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “It gets you prepared for Western Mass. and states. It’s tough. You look at the teams and they’re all battle tested, they’re well coached. Pioneer was in the Final Four, Drury was in the quarterfinals, Greenfield is stuck in D4 but look how good they are. And you can’t forget about Frontier and the problems they pose.” 

Meanwhile in the HL North, Athol won its first league title in 22 years after going an unblemished 10-0 in league action. Brian Patria returns a squad led by Ben Kearney that is the on-paper favorites to repeat, though the likes of Turners Falls, Franklin Tech, Lee, Mount Greylock, Hampshire and Smith Academy will have something to say about that. 

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“The program is going in the right direction,” Patria said. “We know teams are going to be coming for us. When you’re on top, everyone guns for you and every game will be a challenge. We can’t just look ahead to the end of the season. We have to take it game-by-game and we have to outwork each team we play.”

Here’s a closer look at how each team is shaping up heading into the season: 

Athol

COACH: Brian Patria

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Hampshire North/5

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 18-4, lost in D5 Round of 16

ROSTER: Ethan Bacigalupo, Hayden Barrieau, Brandon Adams, Kevien Lenin, Logan Cormier, Ethan Goodwin, Ben Kearney, Ethan Heuer, Oliver Johnson, Landon Mallette, Aaron Ouellet, Rafeal Lopez, Dominik St. Andre, Karim Thompson, Eli Wein

OUTLOOK: Despite a league championship along with trips to the Western Mass. Class C semifinals and MIAA D5 Round of 16, the Bears lost to rival Mahar three times. 

The goal is to build off those accomplishments this winter, but also knock off a Senators team that has won the last four meetings between the two sides.

“We celebrated the 2024 season with a league title but we know this is a new year,” Patria said. “We lost some good players and other guys will need to step up. Our goals are to repeat as Hampshire League champions and in that process, we need to beat Mahar. Losing to them left a very sour taste in our mouth. We also want to get to a Western Mass. championship with all the seniors we have. Those are realistic goals for this group.” 

Replacing Angel Castillo, who averaged 16.2 PPG a season ago, will be a tough task though Bacigalupo is the player expected to step in and run the point. 

Bacigalupo, Kearney and Cormier will captain the Bears this winter. Kearney is a versatile offensive threat who put up 14.2 PPG a season ago and is someone who has stepped up his game heading into this senior season. Cormier missed most of last season with an injury and is a player who can help stretch the floor with his shooting ability. 

Ouellet brings length and athleticism to the lineup and should be one of the top defenders on the team, Goodwin brings size inside while Barrieau, Mallette, Thompson, St. Andre, Adams, Thompson, Wein, Johnson, Heuer, Lopez and Lenin give Patria a deep bench to work with. Patria credited JV coach Nate Fisher for continuing to develop players to have them ready when they get to the varsity level.

With the type of players Patria has, he plans to try to take advantage of the athleticism on his squad. 

“They want to get out, play aggressive and bring intensity,” Patria said. “They like to press and they like to create havoc. When they do that, it gets their energy up. They enjoy using that to create easy baskets. It’s different for me but I’m adapting myself to it.” 

Franklin Tech

COACH: George Gutierrez

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Hampshire North/5

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 2-18

ROSTER: Gabe Mota, Dylan Cullen, Caleb Johnston, Jack Gancarz, Jaime Muniz, Brayden McDonough, Nolyn Stafford, Hunter Donahue, Brody Hicks, Jaxon Silva, George Gutierrez Jr., Joe O’Donnell, Cole Bassett, Mason Bassett

OUTLOOK: After dropping their opening 18 games a season ago, the Eagles closed things out on a high note by winning their last two games of the campaign. 

The hope was that would carry over into this season, with Franklin Tech getting things started on the right foot with a victory over St. Mary’s in its opener. 

Now with a team littered with underclassmen, the goal for first year coach George Gutierrez — who coached the Eagles JV team a season ago — is to use the the rest of the season to work toward building winning habits within the program. 

“We want to compete in games,” Gutierrez said. “We know it’ll be tough against Greenfield and those teams but we want to compete and teach these kids how to win.” 

Seniors Mota and Cullen are the top returning players while Stafford, a sophomore, got time last year and has impressed so far. 

Gutierrez wants to see his team compete on the defensive end and without much size, use its speed in transition to beat teams down the floor. 

“I’m more of a defensive coach,” Gutierrez said. “I want to see hustle, tough defense and guys diving on the floor. We want to turn those into fastbreaks where we’ll have five guards out there at times.” 

Frontier

COACH: Josh Morse

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Hampshire South/4

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-11, lost in D4 Round of 32

ROSTER: Carter Miller, Ty Skroski, Diego Frazier, Eric Larrson, Max Millette, Garrett Dredge, Jaxon Spearance, Ian Paciorek, Tatsuya Goodrow, Alex Ellis, Austin D’Urso, Rowan Modestow 

OUTLOOK: The Redhawks made the D4 tournament a season ago, knocking off Madison Park before falling to Manchester-Essex in the Round of 32. 

Frontier brings back a young squad, guided by Millette who led the team with 18.2 PPG a season ago. 

“We have 11 juniors and one freshman,” Morse said. “This is a building process. This is my third year as a head coach and we’re building. We’re building culture, we’re building our togetherness and accountability and we’re building our style of play. We’re starting to see that. We call our bench effort ‘benergy.’ Are we seeing that level of cohesiveness together, and with that group we are. You’re starting to see the culture impact on these guys.”

The Redhawks will have to find a way to make due in the paint with the loss of Owen Babb, now at Deerfield Academy. 

Modestow will step into the role as the Frontier big, Dredge is expected to take a step forward while Miller, Frazier, Larsson, Spearance, Paciorek, Goodrow, Ellis and D’Urso give Morse plenty to work with, as Frontier hopes to take another step forward this season. 

For Morse, it all starts on the defensive end, where he expects his team to be the strongest. 

“We’re going to live and die by our defensive effort,” Morse said. “We didn’t shoot it great [in our opening win against Easthampton] but if you stay consistent with your principles and don’t shoot it great, you still give yourself an opportunity.” 

Greenfield

COACH: Angelo Thomas

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Hampshire South/4

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 15-7, lost in D4 Round of 32

ROSTER: Jon Breor, Caleb Murray, Caleb Thomas, Grayson Thomas, Gavin Arsenault, Erik Martineau, Malik Moore, Aiden Holiday, Arthur Fitzpatrick, Conner Bergeron 

OUTLOOK: Greenfield coach Angelo Thomas has been the only male 1,000 point scorer in Green Wave history, accomplishing the feat some 32 years ago.

That should change early in the season, as Breor — a senior — comes into the year sitting at 945 points – 55 short of hitting the 1,000 point mark. 

“He’s a kid who’s been playing on varsity since he was in eighth grade,” Thomas said. “We’re hoping he can get it early in the season. It’s going to be really fun if he stays healthy and gets it and I can’t wait to see how he reacts.” 

Breor led the Wave with 17.3 points per game a season ago and the big man should be a force inside once again this season. He is joined by classmates Caleb Thomas (13.4 PPG) and Murray (10.4 PPG) to form a talented senior trio. Murray is a player Angelo Thomas said has stepped up his leadership role and will help handle the ball while Caleb Thomas is a talented, athletic wing scorer. 

An eighth grader last year, Grayson Thomas scored 11.9 PPG and is now 6-foot-2 and 30 points heavier than he was last year. That added size and muscle will allow him to be an all-around offensive threat whereas most of his points came from behind the arc last winter. 

“All four of those guys have scored 20-plus multiple times at the varsity level,” Angelo Thomas said. “It’s good knowing the offense will be there with those guys. Guys just need to understand their role. Certain guys need to rebound, certain guys need to score, certain guys need to be defenders. Keeping that understanding will be key.” 

Arsenault, Martineau, Moore, Holiday, Fitzpatrick and Bergeron are players who will be competing for minutes. 

“A successful season for us would be winning Western Mass., winning our league and advancing as far as we can go in states,” Angelo Thomas said. “We have all the tools and pieces to do all that. It’s just about being consistent, being healthy and being there for each other.” 

Mahar

COACH: Chad Softic

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Hampshire South/5

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 18-6, lost in D5 semifinals

ROSTER: Morgan Softic, Lian Lopez-Baez, Derek Collins, Jayden Delgado, Marshall Ames, Malaki Grummell, Luan Lopez-Baez, Max Kimball, Hunter Brooks, Matt Vitello, Aydon Davis, Brayden Gates, Colby Chaisson 

OUTLOOK: Three starters — Delgado, Softic and Ames — return from last year’s Western Mass. winning squad.

Softic (10 PPG) played his best ball during the tournament as the Sens’ point guard, Delgado (11.9 PPG) bring size and athleticism inside while Ames (8.5) is a tall athlete who was often tasked with guarding the best player on the opposition. 

“Watching Morgan, he’s so much more athletic and fluid,” Chad Softic said. “Marshall is a little more polished and Jayden is a handful offensively.” 

Baez-Lopez and Derek Collins were key rotation players last year, Baez-Lopez a ball handler while Collins can stretch the floor thanks to his shooting touch. Grummell is a senior who flashed at times last season and will have an opportunity to see big minutes this winter. 

While Mahar had a plethora of success last year, Chad Softic noted it’s a new season and the Senators will need to continue to improve to reach their goals this winter. Mahar will also have to replace the production of guard Lucas Isrow (7.4 PPG) and big man Will Barnes (8.8 PPG). 

“Until you lose or somebody punches you in the face, you’ll feel some level of complacency based on last year’s success,” Softic said. “I can talk their ear off about how it’s a new year but until you face some adversity, it’s all talk. There’s some talent there but we have a lot of work to do to be last year’s team. That team graduated and it’s a new year. Other guys will need to step up.” 

Chad Softic has brought in a member of the Senators’ 2012 state championship-winning team, as well as a former Athol star to help with the team this year, giving his team a pair of guys his players can look to for advice. 

“Jesse LaCroix is back helping, Conal Tontodonato is helping,” Chad Softic said. “They are two great role models for our players. I’m pretty pumped to have both. The kids are so fortunate to have these younger professional role models to mentor them.” 

Pioneer

COACH: Scott Thayer

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Hampshire South/5

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 18-6, lost in D5 semifinals

ROSTER: Ben Werner, Kurt Redeker, Jackson Glazier, Brayden Thayer, Hayden Killeen, Andrew Girard, Judah Glenn, Alex McClelland, Will Glazier, Matt Richott

OUTLOOK: The Panthers have been knocking on the door of winning a state championship the last few years, reaching the D5 quarterfinals in 2023 while making it to the semifinals last season. 

With the core of that group — Thayer, Redeker and McClelland — now seniors, Pioneer will be in the mix this campaign. 

Thayer led the Panthers with 18 PPG a season ago to eclipse the 1,000 point mark and will again be Pioneer’s go-to scoring option. Redeker (10.5 PPG) brings scoring and athleticism inside while McClelland (7.2 PPG) can stretch the floor and play tough defense. 

Will Glazier and Werner round out the senior class, with the hope the experience of that group will pay dividends this season. 

“Everybody is working hard,” Scott Thayer said. “We have five seniors and three have been around the program since they were in eighth grade. They understand what’s going on and how to do it.” 

Pioneer will have to replace the scoring of Josh Wood (13.2 PPG) and inside presence of Hugh Cyhowski (6.6 PPG). 

Jackson Glazier, Girard and Glenn are underclassmen who have seen some varsity time but will play more of a role this season. 

Pioneer enters the season with confidence having shown well at the Grumoli Preseason Basketball Tournament in Holyoke, playing six games in six days and making it to the championship game where it fell to Pope Francis, the No. 3 seed in the MIAA Div. 2 state tournament a season ago. 

“When you do something there’s always a beginning and there’s always an end,” Scott Thayer said. “You just have to enjoy it. We’re not outcome based: we’re process based. We go through the journey together and allow them to grow to become the best they can be. That takes time and failure is part of growing. As long as we have good enthusiasm, energy and effort things will turn out OK and give us the opportunity to go where they want to go.”

Turners Falls

COACH: Gary Mullins

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Hampshire North/5

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-12

ROSTER: Alex Quezada, Caden Williams-Senethavisouk, Jackson Cogswell, Kessick Beck, Brayden Sloan, Kainen Stevens, Cameron Johnson, Davian Bala, Frielyn Abarua, Brody Girard, David Klempner

OUTLOOK: Just two wins shy of clincing a state tournament berth a season ago, longtime Thunder coach Gary Mullins returns a versatile squad he feels can change and adapt depending on the opponent. 

Cogswell (10.9 PPG) is the top returning scorer and will be Turners’ top option offensively, as he is a 6-foot-3 forward with guard skills. Cogswell is one of three captains alongside Girard, a scrappy guard, and Quezada, an athletic guard who excels at getting to the rim. 

Beck is a senior guard who can light up the scoreboard, Williams-Senethavisouk saw time on varsity a season ago while Klempner-Siano was hurt last year but is back healthy this winter. 

Johnson is a shooter, Sloan is a strong body inside, Bala is showing a ton of potential as a sophomore while Abarua is a freshman who has impressed. 

“We have some athletic kids,” Mullins said. “We have some options. If we need to play a physical game or if we have to play more of a zone game, we have more options than we had last year. It’s a good group of kids who are working hard. They’re a good group to be around.” 

While Turners lost its leading scorer, Branden Truesdell, as well as five other seniors from a year ago, Mullins is hoping the cohesiveness of this group can make up for the lost talent. 

“They’re a bunch of good kids,” Mullins said. “The leadership is excellent. It’s fun to go to practice. We lost a lot of points with Truesdell, we lost our best defender, our best rebounder but this crew has a chance to be a better basketball team. This year’s team is deeper and hopefully we’ll be able to find some answers to replace what we lost.”