Things are going to look quite different for the Mahar Regional boys basketball team this winter. With so many players graduating, the Senators essentially promoted its entire junior varsity team to the next level for the upcoming season.
“We don’t have any big minutes coming back experience wise,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “We are kind of starting from scratch. To their credit they put in a lot of work in the offseason. Win or loss ,we have to keep our heads up. Keep working through the bumps of being a varsity player. Hopefully we get there as the season goes.”
Matt Vitello is a senior point guard for the Senators. Hunter Brooks plays the shooting guard in the offense. Brooks is a smart player who can shoot. Vitello likes to keep things light with the team.
“I am always a happy guy,” Vitello said. “I am always in a good mood cheering everyone on. I just like to have a good time and I think that really helps the team overall.”
While he’s a point guard, Vitello bases his game around doing the little things for the team.
“My game is based around hustle,” Vitello said. “I try my best. I think that’s what a lot of the guys here have. I don’t have much varsity experience. Pretty much the whole team has little to no varsity experience at all. Everyone might think we aren’t going to be very good. But these guys, they want it. I think that’s something that’s important.”
Max Kimball did get some time last year on the varsity team. Kimball brings hustle and is a tenacious defender for Mahar. Trevor Odenbaugh is the center, bringing size and toughness to the paint. The team is ready for the challenges that varsity basketball presents.
“It really is a whole position and responsibility that we have to take on,” Kimball said. “We are excited. A little nervous. But excited to grow. Make it our team. We got a lot of younger people coming up.”
Kimball will look to score a little bit this year. The whole team will need to find a way to create offense.
“Our team is going to have to be defensive driven,” Kimball said. “But we are going to need to score.”
Sophomore Ishan Coburn is a player to watch for the Senators. Aydon Davis brings some outside shooting to the table. Whatever the roster configuration, the Senators want to make the state tournament.
“Our strength of schedule is going to allow us to hand around the top 32,” Softic said. “I think this team will grow quite a bit. Hopefully we can be a tough out in the tournament. I think that’s what we are looking at.”
Mahar went 14-8 last season and lost in the MIAA Division 5 state tournament Round of 16 to New Mission High School. The Senators move into the Hampshire North league this season and will avoid trips to the Berkshires. Mahar will play the likes of Pioneer, Greenfield, Frontier, Athol, Smith Academy and Hopkins Academy.