Summer basketball season in full swing
By Ken Powers Contributing Writer

Marlborough - The offseason is in full swing for members of the Marlborough High boys basketball program.

About 35 members of the program are on three different teams - eighth- and ninth-graders are on a squad that competes in a summer league in Sudbury, boys who are expected to play on the junior varsity are on a team in a league in Sudbury and prospective members of the next year's varsity play in the Worcester summer basketball league.

The eighth- and ninthgrade team entered play this week 3-1, while the varsity and junior varsity teams both began the week 5-0. The coaching of all three teams is coordinated by Joe Flynn, who directs the varsity squad.

Flynn said his focus with the varsity team is to begin to develop character and chemistry among the players with an eye on winning.

"There are a few players that played together on the varsity team last year, but there are several that didn't, but will this year and big things will be expected of them," Flynn said. "We use the summer leagues as a way to get these guys used to playing together while at the same time seeing how we match up against some of the better teams in the area."

Marlborough's varsity team's wins include victories over teams made up of St. John's and Holy Name players.

Players who were integral parts of Marlborough High's varsity team of last year - a squad that finished 18-4 and made it all the way to the semifinal round of the Central Mass. Division 1 tournament - include George Jordan, Andre Beauchamp and Conner Flynn. All will be seniors when school resumes next month.

Flynn is a point guard, Beauchamp a forward, Jordan a center.

Other core players on the summer team are Graham Asum, Dan Imparato, Fabrese Yoyo, Canaan Severin, Carlos de La Cruz, David Barille, Luke Bella-Spooner and Josh Carter.

Asum and Imparato will be juniors, while Yoyo, Barille, Bella-Spooner and Carter will be seniors. Severin and de La Cruz will be freshmen.

Flynn said big things are expected this winter from Yoyo and Severin.

"Both are expected to play varsity this winter and they've been very impressive this summer," Flynn said. "Fabrese will play the power forward position and really take some pressure off George Jordan, both off ensively and defensively. Canaan has had a major impact on the team this summer. He has very good skills and has shown that he really knows his way around the hoop."

Players missing from this year's varsity summer league team are graduated seniors Chris Pinsonault, Ryan Fahey and Ryan Joyal. Pinsonault, a smooth-shooting guard, will play at Anna Maria next year while Joyal will be banging the boards at Westfield State.

"Those are three big losses. Those guys played a lot and really contributed to the success of the program the last four years," Flynn said. "A big part of what we're trying to do this summer is to re-establish the chemistry and character of the team without them."