The Natick High boys’ basketball team carved out some major success during the 2016-17 season as it won the Herget Division title in the Bay State Conference and returned to the playoffs for the first time in three years.
Second-year coach Sam Doner, who took the Newton South girls to six tourney appearances in seven years, called the season just completed “a great step forward for the program.’’ Natick finished its regular season with a 13-7 record, clinched the Herget crown by posting a 9-1 mark, then bowed out of the Division 1 Central tourney when the Redhawks lost to Acton-Boxboro, 41-38. Doner, whose first year at Natick ended with a 4-16 record, wasted little time in getting Natick back on track in his second campaign at the helm.
“Our players deserve all the credit for our turn-around,’’ Doner emphasized. “A young team, they focused on a solid work ethic, playing strong defense and trusting one another. Our players also strived to develop team chemistry.’’
The 42-year-old Doner admired his Redhawks’ penchant for defense, which led to a pair of winning streaks. In spite of reaching 70 points in several games, the coach, nevertheless, pointed to the Redhawks defense as the catalyst for Natick’s tourney return.
“We relied on our defensive ability,’’ he noted. “Our defense controlled the tempo and our offensive rhythm was keyed by defense. Another plus was the way our players never looked beyond the next game. No one talked about the tourney. It was one possession at a time, one quarter at a time and one game at a time. Our goal at the start of the season was simply to improve every day and enjoy practice’’
What gives Natick a sense of pride and achievement is the roster — 10 of its 15 players were on the varsity for the first time and three of its starters were first-year varsity performers. In spite of its loss in the tourney, the Redhawks program is very healthy. The squad, which will have 10 juniors returning next year, rallied from 12 points behind in the third quarter and had a chance to tie Acton-Boxboro with 16.8 seconds remaining. A turnover, however, hurt Natick’s cause and A-B ended the Redhawks’ run of seven victories in their last nine games.
Junior captain Peter Ryan played point guard and compiled some impressive statistics — 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists a game. His court sense helped to elevate others. “Peter ran our offense,’’ Doner said. “He’s so competitive and he’s able to see mismatches quickly. He’s confident shooting a jump shot and he’s an adept passer.’’
Two other starters at guard — senior Chris Cradoso and junior captain Sho Kinugawa — gave the Redhawks a blend of offense and defense. Cradoso managed 5 points and 5 assists a game while Kinugawa averaged nine points an outing.
“Chris has a high basketball IQ, good court awareness and firm control of a game’s tempo,’’ Doner emphasized. “He’s a good passer, can shoot from outside and his defensive ability is strong. Sho is an off-guard who is an offensive machine when he’s hot. A good three-point shooter, he gets shots off his dribble and he can drive to the hoop. Very competitive, he knows how to attack a defense.’’
Junior Will Brodnitzki started at center after a year of jayvee ball last year. At 6-foot-2, he averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds a game. “Will has a high hoop IQ and he’s always trying to improve,’’ Doner said. “A good outside shooter, Will is a steady rebounder and a very competitive player with a big heart.’’
Jahden Erold rounded out Natick’s starting five and the junior forward used his six-foot frame to help Brodnitzki up front. “Jahden was our defensive stopper,’’ Doner said. “He guards our opposition’s top offensive player. He’s athletic, long and smart. He averaged about four rebounds.’’
Doner was able to call on a variety of reserves who stepped up and gave Natick depth. Forward Shawn Parks, a senior captain, provided a good mid-range shooting touch and solid offense in transition. Julian Canzano, another senior, played point guard and junior Kyle DeWitt handle the off-guard chores.
“Shawn is a left-handed shooter who gave us lots of energy off the bench,’’ Doner said. “Julian also was energetic. He created his own shots and was excellent in transition. Kyle works hard, attacks the hoop and has a jump shot that’s developing.’’
Six-foot-five senior center Andrew Pereira and Quinn Palmer, a 5-11 combo forward, supplied Natick with size and strength to limit its opponents’ offense. “Andrew often altered our opposition’s offensive strategy,’’ Doner said. “A good defender on the post, he also helped us on the boards. Quinn is a strong defender with a high hoop IQ. He’s quick and he gets his share of rebounds.’’
Rounding out the Redhawks’ roster was senior guard Jake Marks, juniors Jake Cohen (guard), David Carey (forward) and Ben Everett-Wilson (forward), and sophomore forward Colin Ghilani. “I wish I could have played them more,’’ Doner said. “But, when they were called on, they were ready. They worked extremely hard in practice and made other players better.’’
Doner, who’s in his 13th year coaching AAU basketball, said he was “beyond pleased’’ the way his second year at Natick unfolded. He lauded the school’s athletic staff, the administration and his assistants — Seth Levine, Brett McCarthy and Ben Maki.
In the final assessment, however, Sam Doner credited Natick’s basketball success in 2017 to the players. “They worked hard, committed to the program and developed their talent,’’ he stressed.
Issue Date:
April, 2017
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