2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards

2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards

2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards

2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards 2016 Attleboro Canton Foxboro Franklin King Philip Mansfield Milford North Attleboro Oliver Ames Sharon Stoughton Taunton Attleboro Canton Foxboro Franklin King Philip Mansfield Milford North Attleboro Oliver Ames Sharon Stoughton Taunton Attleboro Canton Foxboro Franklin King Philip Mansfield Milford North Attleboro Oliver Ames Sharon Stoughton Taunton Attleboro Canton Foxboro Franklin King Philip Mansfield Milford North Attleboro Oliver Ames Sharon Stoughton Taunton Attleboro Canton Foxboro Franklin King Philip Mansfield Milford North Attleboro Oliver Ames Sharon Stoughton Taunton 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards HockomockSports Attleboro Canton Foxboro Franklin King Philip Mansfield Milford North Attleboro Oliver Ames Sharon gStoughton Taunton HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports Your source for comprehensive coverage of the Hockomock League. We provide recaps, features, standings, schedules and much more.
HockomockSports Your source for comprehensive coverage of the Hockomock League. We provide recaps, features, standings, schedules and much more. Attleboro Canton Foxboro Franklin King Philip Mansfield Milford North Attleboro Oliver Ames Sharon Stoughton Taunton
HockomockSports Your source for comprehensive coverage of the Hockomock League. We provide recaps, features, standings, schedules and much more.
HockomockSports Your source for comprehensive coverage of the Hockomock League. We provide recaps, features, standings, schedules and much more. TheSunChronicle.com ESPNBoston.com

2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards
Attleboro senior Bryant Ciccio has been named the HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Player of the Year for the 2019-2020 season. Ciccio guided the Bombardiers to a 17-win season and Attleboro’s first playoff win in 12 years. He was also voted as the Hockomock League MVP by the coaches.

“Bryant capped a terrific career with an impressive senior season,” said HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan. “When it comes to crunch time, he’s the player you want with the ball because you know he’s going to make the right decision. And he has the ability to either take it himself and finish in a variety of ways, whether it’s his patented pull-up jumper or a strong take to the rim, or create for a teammate.”

Ciccio led the Bombardiers in scoring and was third overall in the Hockomock League in the regular season, finishing with an average of 17.9 points per game. He scored his 1,000th career point in a win over Oliver Ames this season, becoming the eighth male and 14th player overall in Attleboro history to reach the milestone. He finished his career with 1,137 points in his four-year career with Attleboro.

“This is an amazing honor for Bryant and our AHS basketball program,” said Attleboro head coach Mark Houle, who completed his 25th year at the helm this winter. “This honor and recognition is an individual award but truly takes a commitment from teammates in order for any player to reach their full potential. Bryant practiced and played with a sense of pride throughout his four years representing AHS. Bryant defines leadership in so many ways, I believe his best attribute is his commitment to his school, community and his teammates. It’s been a privilege to have coached Bryant; he has earned the respect of coaches, teammates, opposing players and coaches throughout our league and the state.”

To go along with his scoring, Ciccio was a true floor general for the Bombardiers with 3.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. Throughout his four years with Attleboro, he used his ball-handling skills to break down defenses and create scoring opportunities for others, finishing with 272 career dimes. He shot 48% from two-point range, 37% from three-point range, and 74% from the free throw line this year.

In Attleboro’s opening playoff game against Brookline, Ciccio’s leadership was on full display. Down by one, Ciccio waited until the final seconds before driving to the basket and drawing a foul with 3.2 seconds left. With all of the pressure on him, Ciccio sank both free throws to take the lead and the Bombardiers earned their first playoff win since 2008. He finished the game with 14 points for the Bombardiers, who finished second in the Kelley-Rex division this season.

“Over the course of four years, Bryant improved each year on different aspects to his game to build on a solid foundation of athleticism and basketball IQ,” said Mansfield head coach Mike Vaughan. “By his senior year, he could play on both ends of the floor, play both guard positions, and score at all three levels. His pull up especially made him a very difficult matchup for even the elite defenders in our league.”

Ciccio is the first Attleboro player to win the HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Player of the Year award. He is the seventh player from the Kelley-Rex division, joining Mansfield’s Sam Goldberg (2017), Michael Boen (2015), and Rocky DeAndrade (2014), Taunton’s Jose Mercado (2016), Franklin’s Sam Bohmiller (2013), and King Philip’s Jake Layman (2012). Canton’s Devin Foster (2019) and Foxboro’s Joe Morrison (2018) were the previous two winners.

Honorable Mention: Matt Boen (Mansfield), Alex Fritz (King Philip)


2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards
2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards

 

Matt BoenMatt Boen – Mansfield – Guard
Mansfield junior Matt Boen did it all for the Hornets this year, helping his team win yet another Kelley-Rex division title and the program’s second D1 South Sectional title in the past three seasons. Logging a team-high in minutes, Boen was second on the Hornets with 14.6 points per game but his game goes much beyond scoring (shot 48% from the field). He dished out a team-high in assists (4.4 per game) while also leading the top team in the league with 6.9 rebounds, and 3.3 steals per game. “Matty is a high IQ, high level basketball player,” said Mansfield coach Mike Vaughan. “He did a little of everything for us. Matty’s growth and commitment will be a great asset next season as he should put himself in the conversation for league MVP.”
 


Brandon BordeBrandon Borde – Foxboro – Guard
Foxboro senior Brandon Borde wrapped up a memorable career with an impressive final season donning Warrior blue and gold. A four-year starter, Borde guided the Warriors to a share of the Davenport division title this season and scored his 1,000th career point at North Attleboro (finished with 1,083 points). He averaged 17.3 points per game on 49% shooting from the field, adding 5.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. “Brandon finished off one of the best careers in program history with another excellent season,” said Foxboro coach Jon Gibbs. “His offensive production and defensive versatility were critical to our success.”
 


Bryant CiccioBryant Ciccio – Attleboro – Guard
Attleboro senior Bryant Ciccio saved the best for last, capping his four-year career as a Bombardier with his best individual season. Earning both Hockomock League MVP and HockomockSports.com Player of the Year honors, Ciccio led Attleboro to a second place finish in the division and its first playoff win in over a decade. He averaged 17.9 points, 3.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game and finished as the fourth all-time male scorer in school history. “His leadership and skill set always gave us the opportunity to compete against some of the top teams in the state,” said Attleboro head coach Mark Houle.
 


Alex FritzAlex Fritz – King Philip – Forward
King Philip senior Alex Fritz was one of the most dynamic offensive players in the Hockomock League this season. From the first game of the season (36 points and the game-winning shot), Fritz was one of the most dangerous scorers in the area. He led the Hockomock in scoring during the regular season and finished with 22.6 points per game on 42.7% shooting from the field, including 40% shooting from three-point range. He also had 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. “Alex was one of the best offensive players I have ever coached,” said KP head coach Dave DeStefano. “His ability to handle pressure and to score in so many different ways helped our team throughout the season.”
 


Tyler StewartTyler Stewart – Taunton – Forward
Taunton junior Tyler Stewart had a breakout season for the Tigers, averaging a double-double as the focal part of the offense. After seeing little time a year ago, Stewart was one of the toughest matchups in the league this year, averaging 17.8 points (on 61.5% shooting from two-point range), 12.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. His presence in the paint was a big reason Taunton challenged for the division title and returned to the playoffs. “Tyler’s improvement on both ends of the floor was dramatic,” said Taunton head coach Charlie Dacey. “He became the focus of our offense. His rebounding and defense were a huge factor in our success.”
 


2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards
2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards

 

Amari BrownAmari Brown – Oliver Ames – Guard
Oliver Ames junior Amari Brown was a leader on both ends of the court and was a big reason why the Tigers made it to the playoffs this season. After seeing valuable minutes last season, Brown was a vital part of the Tigers’ starting lineup this season. He was a tough player to guard because of his ability to score in a variety of ways and was a terrific finisher around the rim. He was OA’s leading scorer with 15.6 points per game along with 3.9 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. “Amari led us in a number of statistical categories but his biggest influence is the energy, attitude and work ethic he brings to every game and practice,” said OA head coach Don Byron.
 


Chris EdgehillChris Edgehill – Franklin – Guard
Franklin senior Chris Edgehill finished his career as one of the best ever to put on a Panther uniform. A four-year starter, Edgehill set a new program for scoring with 1,408 points, eclipsing the mark set by Matt Palazini in 2010, leading Franklin back to a third sectional final appearance in his four years. He was the Panthers’ leading scorer this season with 15 points per game along with 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. “Chris is an explosive talent who once again took his game to a new level in the state tournament run we had this season making big shots time after time when we needed them the most,” said Franklin coach CJ Neely.
 


Sam StevensSam Stevens – Mansfield – Forward
Mansfield senior Sam Stevens turned it on down the stretch and was a huge reason why the Hornets clinched their eighth straight Kelley-Rex division title and won their second D1 South Sectional crown in the past three seasons. One of the best offensive players in the league, Stevens had the ability to break a game wide open with his scoring, especially his shooting from three-point range. He averaged a team-high 17.7 points per game, hitting 61 threes this season. He also had 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. “Players like Sam are what makes our program special,” said Mansfield coach Mike Vaughan. “Four years ago Sam was playing on the ‘B’ team in 8th-grade travel and then sat out most of his sophomore year with a back injury. But with constant dedication and working on his game, he continued to improve and get better at multiple aspects of his game. His work and dedication paid off for him personally and for our team.”
 


Obinna UgwuakaziObinna Ugwuakazi – Stoughton – Forward
Stoughton senior Obinna Ugwuakazi was once again one of the top players in the league this season. After breaking onto the scene last year, Ugwuakazi continued to be a matchup problem for Hockomock foes. Not only was he a strong finisher at the rim, he showed off the range this year with some three-point shooting. He was the second-leading scorer in the Hockomock League with 19.7 points per game and hauled in 7.5 boards, helping Stoughton win the Davenport division this season. “Obinna was a guy that every team in the league had to game plan for and he still had a bunch of monster games scoring from both inside and out,” said Stoughton coach John Gallivan.
 


Qualeem CharlesQualeem Charles – Attleboro – Center
Attleboro senior Qualeem Charles capped a terrific four-year career with yet another strong season for the Bombardiers. Charles has dominated the paint against opponents for four years and this winter was no different. He scored his 1,000th career point in a win at home over Franklin, finishing with 1,078 (eighth-most for a male in school history). He was one of the most efficient scorers in the league, averaging 16.5 points per game on 71% shooting. He also hauled in nine boards a game, finishing with 894 rebounds in his career. “His presence in the paint both offensively and defensively provided us with an advantage for our teams the last four seasons,” said Attleboro coach Mark Houle.
 


2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards
2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards

 

Myles Grigalunas-PowellMyles Grigalunas-Powell – Stoughton – Guard
Stoughton senior Myles Grigalunas-Powell was a key cog for the Black Knights this season, helping his team win the Davenport division title for the first time since 2012. Grigalunas-Powell was a dynamic player on both ends of the court and came to play in the big games, recording a triple-double (20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists plus five steals) in the Black Knights’ overtime win over Milford that set Stoughton up for the division title. He averaged 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3 steals per game. “Myles was the heart and soul of the Stoughton Black Knights. He ran the offense, was the second-leading scorer, and usually found himself guarding the other team’s best player,” said Stoughton coach John Gallivan.
 


Donald RogersDonald Rogers – Foxboro – Guard
Foxboro senior Donald Rogers had a breakout campaign this winter and his play was a big reason that the Warriors clinched a share of the Davenport division crown. After coming off the bench on occasion last season, Rogers emerged as a reliable option on both ends of the court for Foxboro. He averaged 12.3 points per game on 48% shooting from the field. He also shot 37.5% from three-point range and 73.6% from the free throw line. He led Foxboro with 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game while ranking second on the team with 3.3 assists. “Donald worked extremely hard on his game and improved tremendously, becoming a high level player that consistently filled up the box score in every category,” said Foxboro coach Jon Gibbs. “He set an outstanding example for younger players in our program to follow.”
 


Jordan DarlingJordan Darling – Milford – Forward
Milford junior Jordan Darling was a top player for the Scarlet Hawks for the second straight season. Following a strong sophomore season, Darling had a stellar junior season and led the Hawks to a share of the Davenport division title. Darling was a weapon on both ends of the court, a natural scorer on the offensive end that was a tough matchup in the paint while his length and defensive IQ made him tough to beat. He was second on the Hawks in scoring with 13.5 points and hauled in 9.7 rebounds per game. “Like many guys on our team this season, Jordan took a great leap forward, nearly averaging a double-double this past winter and improving drastically from his sophomore to junior year,” said Milford coach Paul Seaver. “Now as he enters his second season as a captain, it’s his job to build off this past winter’s accomplishments and help lead this group into the next chapter of Milford basketball.”
 


TJ GuyTJ Guy – Mansfield – Forward
Mansfield junior TJ Guy took a big step forward this year after bursting on the scene with a strong sophomore season last winter. Not only did he give the Hornets size to work with, but his athleticism and speed also made him a tough matchup for opponents. He showed the ability to attack the basket and finish through contact. He shot over 50% from the floor, averaging 13.3 points per game. He was second on the team with 6.2 rebounds and dished out 2.5 assists to go along with 1 steal per game. “TJ brings a unique ability of athleticism and size that creates matchup problems for the opponent,” said Mansfield coach Mike Vaughan. “As TJ continues to mature into a leader, he is primed for a player of the year type senior season.”
 


George LaddGeorge Ladd – North Attleboro – Forward
North Attleboro junior George Ladd became the go-to option for the Rocketeers this year after an impressive sophomore campaign last season. A bit a throwback player, Ladd can finish in a variety of ways around the rim. Ladd emerged as a leader for a young Rocketeer squad. He shot 49.5% from the field this year, averaging 14.9 points, 10.1 rebounds (3.4 offensive), 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals and one block per game. “George is a tremendous all-around player who really emerged this season,” said North head coach Sean Mulkerrins. “He is extremely crafty around the rim, has a non-stop drive to rebound, and is a talented and willing passer. Better yet, George has extremely high goals for himself and we expect his game to only improve from here.”
 


2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards
Taunton sophomore Trent Santos has been named the HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Underclassman of the Year for the 2019-2020 season, the ninth year the award has been given out.

With almost an entirely new starting lineup, Santos emerged as a reliable option for head coach Charlie Dacey and the Tigers this season. It didn’t take long for him to get comfortable to the varsity level, scoring in double figures for 10 straight games between December and January. Despite having an inexperienced lineup, Santos and his teammates made a push for the division title, even taking eventual sectional champion Mansfield to overtime late in the regular season.

“Trent’s work ethic is beyond anything I have seen at Taunton High,” said Taunton head coach Charlie Dacey, who completed his 28th year at the helm this winter. “As good as he was this year, he will push himself to a new level next year.”

Santos was second on the Tigers with an average of 13.9 points per game, connecting at a 34.4% success rate from downtown as one of the league’s top three-point shooters. Not only could he get hot from deep, but he was also a crafty finisher when attacking the rim. He also averaged 2.7 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 76% from the free throw line. He dropped a career-high 27 points in an overtime contest on the road at King Philip while also going over the 20-point mark against Sharon, Franklin, Attleboro, Mansfield, and New Bedford.

“Right from the beginning of the season, Trent emerged as an offensive threat for the Tigers,” said HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan. “Even though opposing defenses started to pay attention to him more as the season went on, he still found ways to hurt teams, scoring in double figures in six of Taunton’s final seven games. Look for him to take a big step forward next year and be one of the top all-around players in the league.”

Santos is the second player from Taunton to win the award and sixth overall from the Kelley-Rex division, joining former Tiger EJ Dambreville (2015). Other winners include Mansfield’s Matt Boen (2019) and Brendan Hill (2013), Franklin’s Chris Edgehill (2018) and Jay Dieterle (2016), Canton’s Devin Foster (2016), and Sharon’s Jordan Mello-Klein (2014) and Brian Mukasa (2012).

2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards
2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards

 

Tristan HerryTristan Herry, Taunton
Sophomore Tristan Herry joined the Tigers this season and played a big role in his first year with the program. The Tigers had an entirely new starting lineup this season but Herry was one of the few players with some varsity experience. He averaged 9.2 points per game, shooting over 40% from the field from two-point range while adding 3.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. “Tristan had a work ethic beyond what I could hope for. He was forced to play a position he might not have been totally comfortable with but he responded, consistently driving himself in every practice and game,” said Taunton coach Charlie Dacey.
 


Brody RosenbergBrody Rosenberg, North Attleboro
North Attleboro improved over the course of the season and one of the big reasons for that was the emergence of sophomore Brody Rosenberg. After an up-and-down start to the season on the offensive end, Rosenberg became a constant for the Big Red and emerged as a serious threat from downtown (35% 3PT FG). He finished the season averaging 8 points per game to go with 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. “Brody has such a high basketball IQ and tremendous leadership skills. He was our team’s leading three-point shooter this season. We expect Brody to take an even bigger step in his development next season,” said North Attleboro head coach Sean Mulkerrins.
 


Trent SantosTrent Santos, Taunton
A dangerous offensive player, sophomore Trent Santos Santos made a big splash this season and earned Underclassman of the Year honors (see above). He was a big reason for Taunton’s nine-game win streak early in the season as he scored in double-figures in all of those games, including a 22-point performance against Sharon and a 21-point performance against Franklin. He averaged 13.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game this year.

 


Chris HillChris Hill, Mansfield
Freshman Chris Hill improved each and every game, working his way into the starting lineup for the Kelley-Rex division and South Sectional champions. By the time Mansfield was playing its best down the stretch, Hill was in the starting lineup (starting both the South final and the EMass final at the TD Garden). Playing over 350 minutes as a freshman, Hill averaged 4.7 points per game on 50% shooting from the field, hitting on nearly 40% of his three-point attempts. He also added 2.8 rebounds and one assist per game. “Chris was a pleasant surprise for us this season,” said Mansfield coach Mike Vaughan. “Needing another big to give us depth, Chris stepped in and continue to improve himself all the way to the starting line-up. His ability to shoot and stretch the defense really gave us an additional piece that helped our success. I look forward to seeing Chris’ growth over the next three years as he too could become one of the next great Hornets!”
 


Faisal MassFaisal Mass, Taunton
In his first year on varsity, sophomore Faisal Mass emerged as the Tigers’ sixth man this season as the top option off of the bench. Mass is the third Taunton player on this year’s Underclassman team, the most from one team. Off the bench, Mass gave the Tigers some flexibility on the offensive end. His size allowed him to play near the basket but he could also stretch the floor and shoot from three-point range. He averaged 7.3 points per game to go along with 3.4 rebounds and one assist, shooting just under 50% from the floor from two-point range. “Once Faisal was comfortable with his increased playing time, he grew and grew as a player. His improvement was dramatic which contributed to our success as a team,” said Taunton head coach Charlie Dacey.
 


2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards
Franklin senior Brayden Sullivan has been named the HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Defensive Player of the Year for the 2019-2020 season, the ninth year the award has been given out. Sullivan is the third straight Panther to win the award and fifth overall.

Sullivan was a pest defensively, not just on the ball but off of it too. His ability to deny players the ball was a real strength for the Panthers defensively, who allowed a league-low 52.8 points per game this season. Night in and night out, he matched up with the top players in the league and from around the state. This season, he held 14 of the 16 Hockomock players he defended under their scoring average.

“Brayden has been a force in the defensive end all season,” said Franklin head coach CJ Neely. “He always got the toughest assignments and was ready for the challenge. We won so many games because of a late game block, steal or charge forced by Brayden.”

Sullivan averaged 1.5 steals per game and just under one block per game. Whoever he was guarding had very few open looks if any because of his ability to stay with him. On the ball, he made everything difficult with strong contests. Despite not being the tallest player on the court, his ability to limit taller players and his ability to block shots stood out. He also had 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

“Brayden was a true workhorse for the Panthers this season,” said HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan. “From start to finish, he was all over his man and made life difficult. He made some spectacular plays on both ends of the court this year, including some ridiculous blocks. His work ethic really helped him improve as a player and all of his work paid off.”

Sullivan is the fifth player from Franklin to win the award and sixth player from a team in the Kelley-Rex division. He joins former Panthers Jalen Samuels (2019), Paul Mahon (2018), Tim Prunier (2016) and Dylan Reno (2015), Mansfield’s Kyle Wisniewski (2014), Foxboro’s Joe Morrison (2017), Oliver Ames’ St. Clair Ryan (2013) and Stoughton’s Marcus Middleton (2012) as recipients of this award.

2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards
2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards

 

Amari BrownAmari Brown, Oliver Ames
Not only was junior Amari Brown the leading scorer on Oliver Ames, but he was also a go-to option on the defensive end. He always brought energy on the defensive end and came up with some easy baskets because of his strong man-to-man defense. If there was a loose ball, Brown was more likely than not one of the first players on the floor to get it. He finished the season with 32 steals. “Amari is an outstanding on-ball defender who relished the challenge of guarding our opponent’s point guard or leading scorer. His quickness and determination are his biggest assets,” said OA head coach Don Byron.
 


Josh LopesJosh Lopes, Taunton
Taunton had a new lineup this season and junior Josh Lopes was one of the few players with some varsity experience. His leadership on both ends of the floor was vital. When he was on, Lopes was among the toughest matchups to deal with and made life very tough for opponents. He averaged 10.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game for the Tigers this season and was tasked with defending top players from around the league and state. “His determination and love of the game were infectious. His time in the gym was beyond what I expected, his improvement was and will be spectacular,” said Taunton head coach Charlie Dacey.
 


Brayden SullivanBrayden Sullivan, Franklin
Going against Franklin is always a tough task as the Panthers dominate defensively, but it was even tougher for the top players in the league this year because of the matchup with senior Brayden Sullivan, who was named this year’s Defensive Player of the Year (above). He made opponents work extra hard for everything they got, nothing came easy. Against some of the most talented scorers in the area, he held 14 of the 16 league foes he guarded under their scoring average.

 


Matt BoenMatt Boen, Mansfield
Mansfield is always tough to beat because of their efficiency on offense, but the Hornets were just as tough on the defensive end this season. One reason for that this season was because of how active junior Matt Boen was, especially off the ball. Routine passes became difficult because of his ability to read the play and either get a deflection or a steal (3.3 steals per game). His athleticism allowed him to match up with a variety of positions, and even if a player was able to get around him, his length gave him a chance to make the block.
 


Drew RooneyDrew Rooney, Mansfield
Mansfield plays one of the toughest schedules in the league to get prepared for the postseason, and their go-to guy defensively was senior Drew Rooney. Going up against some of the top scorers in the area, Rooney continually made life difficult for opponents. Rooney shined defensively against Bay State Conference MVP Will Dorion twice, including the South Semifinals. He averaged 3.8 rebounds (3.0 defensively), 3.7 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game to go along with 4.8 points per game. “On all great teams you need a glue guy and Drew was that for our team,” said Mansfield coach Mike Vaughan. “A great defender, sneaky athleticism, and a great worker, Drew’s production in games didn’t always show up on a stat sheet. Drew could play multiple positions well and cover the other team’s best player. In the league and the non-league schedule that we play, there was no shortage of high-quality players he had to play against!”
 


Coach of the Year – Charlie Dacey, Taunton

Charlie DaceyTaunton head coach Charlie Dacey has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Coach of the Year for the 2019-2020 season. It’s the second time that Dacey has been selected for this award along with 2014, and it’s the seventh time a coach from the Kelley-Rex division has been chosen.

Dacey and the Tigers exceeded expectations after starting the season with not only almost an entirely new starting lineup, but nearly an entire new roster from last season. Not only did Taunton boast four new starters, but there were also very few players with varsity experience. The inexperienced lineup didn’t prevent Dacey from guiding the Tigers to 15 wins in the regular season with a perfect 5-0 non-league record. Taunton finished fourth in the division, dropping its first two games of the season on last-second shots before rattling off nine straight. The Tigers swept the regular season series with Franklin for the first time since joining the Hockomock League. In the playoffs, Taunton picked up an upset win on the road over Marshfield.

“There was a lot of unknown to start the season for Taunton but by mid-January, Dacey helped establish his squad as a real contender this season,” said HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan. “This was the best defensive Taunton team I’ve covered since they joined the Hock and a lot of that came from hard work and being prepared each and every game. Now Taunton is set to return just about everyone and should contend for the league title.”

Dacey becomes just the second coach to win the award multiple times along with Mansfield’s Mike Vaughan (2018, 2015, 2013). Other previous winners include North Attleboro’s Sean Mulkerrins (2017), Oliver Ames’ Don Byron (2016), and Franklin’s Dean O’Connor (2012).

Honorable Mentions: John Gallivan (Stoughton), Mike Vaughan (Mansfield)