Watertown Boys Basketball has enjoyed a rich history the past 31 years, all under the stewardship of Head Coach Steve Harrington. Three State Titles (’07, ’09, ’18), as well as appearances in five title games and nine Final Fours. Beyond those numbers are the many young men who have passed through the program and accomplished great things on the Watertown hardwood, and quite often beyond. There is never a time when Watertown basketball goes into a season expecting anything less than competing for the Middlesex League title and a trip to the MIAA Div. 3 Tournament.
This year is no different, but the challenges facing this squad as they try and reach those goals are greater than years past. Last night’s 57-46 loss to the Woburn Tanners at the Watertown Middle School inside the Palladino Memorial Gymnasium made that very clear. The Raiders (0-2) fell behind early in this contest, committing way too many turnovers which Woburn (2-0) was more than accommodating converting into points. Junior guard Aiden Brown was the leader among five Tanners on the scoresheet in the quarter, his sweet jumper and smooth stroke counting for 10 points. Raiders junior forward Michael Nshanian did his best to keep the score close, scoring 6 points on a variety of moves, but the Raiders trailed 21-12 after one quarter.
The Raiders are minus their big man of the past two years, as Will Carty moved onto prep school over the summer while choosing to repeat his junior year. No doubt a blow to the returning roster, led by senior guard Ben Teixeira, sophomore guard Michael Caterino and Nshanian, this year’s co-captains. But life goes on for all teams from year to year, as roster change, whether it graduation or transfer, is part of the deal. Senior Andrew Malovanyi, juniors Shane Garey, Dayton Admirand and Cash Bailey, and sophomore Mason Lamacchia are among those on the roster who will be asked to contribute to this year’s team. Coach Harrington know he has a work-in-progress, and come January we are bound to see a different team, but the December schedule puts all Middlesex teams right in the mix versus one-another, and the challenge is to grow as a team on the game floor, not just the practice floor.
Back to the game, where Watertown could only scrounge up 10 points in the second quarter and trailed by 16 at the half. The third quarter was no friendlier to the Raiders, as they just couldn’t find any flow offensively. In fact, Nshanian was the only one to make the score sheet in the third quarter, and that was in the form of two field goals and a free throw. A 5-point quarter is no recipe to a comeback, for sure, and down 22 to start the fourth it seemed very unlikely one was in store on this night. But, in the words of Carnac the Magnificent (look it up – funny stuff from yesteryear) you would be wrong, basketball-breath.
Indeed, a comeback began, led by good defense, Woburn turnovers and sudden cold-shooting, and the hot hand of the three captains. Caterino converted steals into points, with six from the field and three more from the line on the way to 17 on the night, including two 3-pointers. Nshanian chipped in 4 on the way to 18 on the night, and Teixeira added 6 on two 3s (three on the night) finishing with 11 points for the game. The Raiders cut a 22-point deficit down to 10, but could get no closer. The Raiders outscored the Tanners 19-8 in the quarter, and make no mistake, it is something that Coach Harrington can build off of — the effort, the hustle and the confidence that comes from making such a run. When it was said and done, though, Watertown could only get points from three of the eight players who hit the floor on this night, while ten different Tanners chipped in on the way to a solid win for Woburn, 57-46.
Watertown returns to the Middle School on Friday versus Wilmington as part of the first doubleheader of the new season — Girls at 5:30 p.m. and Boys at 7 p.m. Stop by and take in a game or watch live on WCA-TV’s Education Channel.
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1 2 3 4 – F
Woburn 21 17 11 8 – 57
Watertown 12 10 5 19 – 46
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Leading Scorers…
Watertown
Nshanian – 18
Caterino – 17 (two 3’s)
Teixeira – 11 (three 3’s)
Woburn
Brown – 20 (two 3’s)
Olson – 10 (one 3)