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It’s going to take a little bit for the Woodstock Academy boys’ basketball team to get used to, not only to one another, but to the rigor of playing varsity basketball.
“We just need to get better in our roles. I look at the court and I see Aidan (Morin) out there as a returning starter and everybody else was getting their first varsity experience,” said Woodstock Academy coach Marty Hart.
It showed a bit in the season opener for the Centaurs Dec. 20.
Playing against an experienced Fitch team, Woodstock Academy stuttered a bit in the second quarter, fell behind by double digits at halftime and lost to the Falcons in Groton, 58-41.
The Centaurs hung tough in the first quarter. A pair of 3-pointers by newcomer Logan Talbot and another trey by senior point guard Nick Bedard meant Woodstock Academy only trailed, 16-12.
Talbot, who comes in from Holy Name in Massachusetts, got his first taste of playing ECC basketball.
Success like that early means a player will get some attention.
“(Fitch) tried to shut (Talbot) off, he was 2-for-3 in the first quarter and had a couple of tries later that didn’t find their way. He’s a little banged up from the physical play, but he will make the adjustment. He’s a strong competitor,” Hart said.
With the Falcons working hard to shut down the perimeter game, the Centaurs (0-1 ECC Division II) had no choice but to look inside but that produced only eight points in the second quarter.
Fitch was able to double that and as the Falcons made more baskets, also made it more difficult for Woodstock Academy to get the ball down the floor.
“They put a couple of runs on us with their fullcourt pressure which we were handling well but in spurts, we did not, and those spurts happened pretty quickly in the second quarter,” Hart said.
The Centaurs were down at the half, 32-20.
It was a 14-point differential going into the final quarter.
“What I’m really happy about is that we maintained our composure and a good team attitude. We’re willing to learn from this and put in the work that’s necessary. It’s a good eye opener, because we can’t replicate that in practice,” Hart said. “Now that they have seen it firsthand, we have their attention and commitment. I’m hoping that will put us on an upward path.”
Morin finished with 11 points while Bedard added 10.
“He looked solid and he works hard,” Hart said of Bedard’s effort. “He put in some shots, was able to score by driving to the basket. He may not be a shooter (by Bedard’s own admission) but I think he is a scorer. He works hard at it. He and Aidan really carried the load. We just have to get the other guys to learn their role and develop their confidence.”
The Centaurs get a break for the Christmas holiday.
They don’t return to the floor until 7 p.m. Friday when they play at Killingly. “It’s a strange year so far. Basketball started so late because Thanksgiving was so late. We played a full week and now we don’t have a game until Friday and Christmas Eve and Christmas are going to come at us. It’s nice to have some time and, hopefully, the guys will stay active and loose and will be ready to get back. We have a short prep, one day, after Christmas to get ready for Killingly. All coaches want more time but it’s a grind and it’s early in the year so we just have to keep climbing the mountain,” Hart said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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