New Westfield High School boys’ basketball varsity head coach Josh Balestracci instructs his players at Monday’s practice. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – A new era has dawned for the Westfield High School boys’ basketball program.
Westfield coach Bill Daley quietly walked away from the Bombers’ hoops’ team this offseason to focus on family life, much to the chagrin of the “Bomb Squad.” But never fear, there is a new man in charge.
“No doubt, I have huge shoes to fill,” said Westfield High first-year head coach Josh Balestracci.
Balestracci is replacing a head coach in Daley, who directed the Bombers to consecutive Western Massachusetts Division I finals’ berths and produced several All-Star players.
The Bombers preseason practices lift off. (Photo by Chris Putz)
“We’re going to do the best we can to fill his shoes,” Balestracci explained. “It’s going to be a challenge but we have a good group of kids.”
Westfield will look to returning senior guard-forward John O’Brien, a 3-year varsity player, to lead a young squad.
“He’s a great kid,” Balestracci said of his senior leader. “He works hard for points in the lane.”
O’Brien joins seniors Brandon Huckins and Matt Butera to form this year’s trio of tri-captains.
“We just need to learn to play together,” coach Balestracci said. “We have a brand new team here that needs to gel. We need to get some consistencies. Hopefully everybody plays their role.”
Just how the Bombers share the ball will likely dictate how successful they are during their 2015-16 campaign. (Photo by Chris Putz)
It will not be an entirely brand new experience for Balestracci. The new man in charge served nearly a decade as assistant to Daley.
The first test will be a Wednesday scrimmage, followed by next Tuesday’s season opener against visiting Taconic at 7 p.m.
“This (scrimmage) will be used as a stepping stone,” Balestracci said. “Hopefully, each day we will get a little better … work hard, give everything (we’ve got), and, hopefully peak at the right time.”
To honor Daley and former Bombers’ hoops’ players, a pair of alumni games will be held Dec. 26. The girls’ game tips off at 6 p.m., followed by the boys’ contest at 7.
