It is that time of the year again; basketball season. The Golden Tornados look to rebound from last season’s record of record of 7-13. Coach Don Nally was able to get the team to reach the playoffs, but they unfortunately fell short of making States. Returning to lead the team are senior captains Simson Liberis and Mark Rogers, who was aGreater Boston League all star last season, and junior Nathaniel Ilebode. The Golden Tornados this season have more underclassmen than previous years with the roster including four juniors and four sophomores.
Liberis believes that the young roster will be assets for the team this season and for coming years as well. He commented that last season “[they] didn’t really play like a team.” He continued, stating how “there were some games everybody played together and gave it their all and [they also] had games when [they] didn’t play as a group.” Liberis added that “[they] don’t have a lot of size but [they do] have a lot of fight in [them,] which will make [them] a competitive team.”
Nally’s boys are expected to dominate the GBL as they have in previous years. Everyone on the team wants to win the GBL , but for the seniors, as it is their season, they are especially hungry for the title this year. “Last year coming off the bench helped [him] gain experience,” stated Liberis. “It was [his] responsibility to be the top defender on the team.” Liberis mentioned that they had a great offseason and that because the coach had “trust in [them] to lead the team,” he, Rogers and Ilebode were named captains.
The first game for the team is on December 11 and is the home opener for the basketball team. The team will face off against the Winchester Sachems. The team looks to start off on the right path to win the GBL and make their way back to States.
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