By Myles Goldman
Boys basketball at Westborough High School has a new leader arming the clipboard. Coming into the season Coach Shah has been preparing the boys basketball program to play at a high-paced, high-energy level that emphasizes playing aggressively with a disciplined defense by pressing the opponent and creating turnovers. Coach Shah commented, “we want to start pressing as they [Rangers’ opponents] walk off the bus.”
This defense should lead to more of an up-tempo style on offense as the Rangers boy’s teams will look to move the ball up the court quickly and look for many transition and fast break baskets. The offense will look to pass the ball, cut through a defense with dribbling, and use lots of screens.
Both the offensive and defensive strategies will be used for the Junior Varsity and Freshman teams as Coach Shah, and his coaches, look to teach the same system throughout the high school boys basketball program.
Due to the style of play instituted, energy is required from the Rangers’ teams. As a result, Coach Shah plans to use his entire bench and deploy ten to eleven players each game for his varsity squad.
Rangers’ fans can look for this team to display several characteristics throughout the course of the season. Coach Shah described that his team would be, “hustling, hard nosed,” and “defensive minded.” He would love for them to play like the San Antonio Spurs on defense and the Pheonix Suns on offense. He also expects his team to be unselfish, demonstrate sportsmanship, have a positive attitude and enjoy the moment. He believes that if the team has these traits on and off the court then “winning will be a by-product.”
Below is the Rangers Varsity Roster for the 2008-2009 Season. Starters have an asterisk next to their name.
13 Players:
Pat Hession- Point Gaurd
*Evan Cummins- Foward/Center
*Nick Flahive- Shooting Guard
Nate Foy- Guard/Foward
Nick Mastrogiacomo- Guard/ Foward
Chris Armand- Guard/ Foward
Tyler Ridley- Guard/Foward
*Matt Van- Small Forward
*Fran Whitten- Center/ Foward
*Mike Pruell- Point Guard
Jake Jablon- Guard
Rob O’Connor- Guard/ Foward
Matt Schoen- Guard
