The boys basketball team finished 8-13, but according to Coach Nick Hannigan, that record does not reflect the hard work and strong performances of his players.

Jack Buckley, a junior, was the team’s lead scorer, averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. He was named a Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic and a Patriot League All Star. Ryan Kelleher, a senior, was “a big rebounder and a vocal captain,” Coach Hannigan said. Seniors Brian Wheeler and Dylan O’Neill joined with junior Jack Phelan to move the ball well on the court, and seniors Matt Sointu and Gerard Wynn had “big contributions off the bench.” Senior Alex Harper was strong on defense.

“We persevered through a lot of ups and downs,” said Dominic DiPietro, one of three senior captains along with Kelleher and O’Neill. “We definitely stuck together.”

Teammate Dave Griffin, a senior, agreed. “The team chemistry was strong.”

A highlight of the season, according to Griffin and DiPietro, was beating Rockland to clinch a spot in the state playoffs. The victory was particularly sweet because it followed a loss to Rockland at the buzzer earlier in the season.

The Indians fell in the first round of playoffs to Cardinal Spellman, who went on to win the Division 3 state title. With nine seniors set to graduate, the team looks to returning young players to make another run for the championship next year.