With a young roster full of sophomores and juniors, the Mahar boys basketball team’s goal is to stay competitive and secure a playoff spot this season.
“We just want to scratch and get to 10 wins,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “Just give ourselves the opportunity to lengthen the season. The tournament is valuable. The practices at the end of the season too.”
The Senators went 13-7 last season and lost in the first round of the Western Massachusetts Division 3 playoffs to Frontier Regional. They haven’t missed the playoffs since 2015.
The roster for the Senators does boast some size.
Deven Patch has tremendous length and can stretch the floor with his outside shooting. But a player of his height should be near the basket more, according to Softic.
“He definitely needs to spend more time in the post,” Softic said. “Hoping to get him stronger to deal with the rigors of post play.”
Ely Gonzalez is another big man who has the toughness to play down low and has an assortment of post moves he can utilize attempting to score with his back to the basket.
“He (Gonzalez) gives us some nice girth, and skill,” Softic said.
Both Patch and Gonzalez can protect the rim and defend the post for the Senators. Patch is the leading scorer coming back from last year’s team.
The guard spots for the Senators will be a rotation. Mahar is looking for more offensive contributions from Jake Tenney, who is a proven on-ball defender.
Tenney has good handle and can play both guard positions as a sophomore.
The Senators will look to Charlie Barnes for athleticism. Barnes plays receiver for the Mahar football team.
“We want to get him out into space in transition,” Softic said.
Barnes has the ability to post up and if a matchup dictates it, he will move down into the paint to exploit a smaller guard.
“He’s got very good post skills for a guard,” Softic said. “He may be able to take advantage of some of those matchups.”
Jayden Softic is another guard for the Senators. The coach’s nephew is a smart player who can shoot from range.
Matt Lyesiuk, Aydan Sevigny and Zachary Notre will all see time of the floor in varying rolls for the Senators.
Mahar will begin regular season play against Pioneer Valley Regional in Northfield on Dec. 6.
