I asked all five of these members of the Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School boys’ basketball team the same three questions: What did it take to get there? Did you think it would happen coming into the season? What was a defining game for you in the season?
Wyatt Smiley: “1. A lot of getting to know teammates, growing trust with each other, and pushing each other to get better every day. 2. I think we all knew we were going to do well and possibly better than the team we had last year. 3. Probably the first game we had against Diman this year at home when I had my career high on varsity and I knew that I could step up when the team needed me.”
Wyatt Smiley averaged 10 points per game this season, 4.8 rebounds per game, 2.9 steals per game, and 4.1 assists per game.
Max Smiley: “(It) took patience and a lot of working. I knew it would happen coming into the season because I’ve been playing with these guys for years. A lot went into it, and a defining game for me this season was that first win of the season. We won by a ton, and I knew this season was gonna be special.”
Max Smiley averaged 8 points, 4 rebounds and 1.8 steals.
Max Finney: “1. Playing a lot in the offseason; most of us play AAU together, so we never took a break from basketball. We all play pickup together, so we’re always together building chemistry. 2. We all knew the team’s potential, so we knew how far we could go. We knew that, no matter what rank we finished the regular season with, we could be the best in D5. 3.A defining game for us was when we won the (Vocational Small Schools) championship against Blue Hills. Because we were down by 11 at one point and no one on the team gave up and we ended up winning, that showed us that we could go through anything in the tournament.”
Finney averaged 19.5 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals.
Landon Hunter: “I think everyone on the team wanted the same thing, and it was to show people what we can do and that they shouldn’t look past us. We’ve played together for four years all year around with AAU and summer league. It comes down to the team’s dedication and want. Obviously, you don’t want to put things into your own head, but I think we all knew that we were gonna make it happen, but that was only because of all the work we’ve put in together as a team. I think for me a defining game was probably the second time we played Atlantis Charter. I think it was one of the best games I’ve played, I had 24 points, the most one ever scored, so it brought me a lot of confidence. And it has carried on throughout the season.”
Hunter averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3.1 steals.
Nick Fringuelli: “It took a lot of practice to get where I am. Coming in as a freshman, I had only played two years prior in (recreation-league basketball). But through AAU and summer league and a lot of time in the gym, I was able to be the player I am today. Coming into the season, I expected to win the (Vocational Small Schools state championship). I also expected to win all of our games and make a deep run in the (MIAA) state playoffs. The defining game for me this season was at the end of our season when we played (Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech) for the second time. I believe that is when I finally put everything together and started playing better.”
Fringuelli averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4.6 blocks.
Editor’s note: Nic Giokas is a student at Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School and has contributed an article on the Cougars boys’ basketball team, which once again went on a long trip to win its first game in the MIAA Division 5 state tournament, defeating Notre Dame Cristo Rey, before falling in the Round of 16 at top-seeded and undefeated Pioneer Valley.
Old Colony Sports
By Nic Giokas