St. Mary’s Matt Plasse attempts a jump shot during a regular season game against visiting McCann Tech. The Saints, who travel to Springfield to take on New Leadership in the first round of the WMass D3 boys’ basketball tournament Monday, will need every one of its players to fire on all cylinders to extend the season. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – In the past, the Westfield High School boys’ basketball program has often been fueled by the “Big Three,” a trio of big name players who led their respective teams on brilliant regular season runs and routinely challenged for a Western Massachusetts Division I championship.
This season, that torch was passed on to the St. Mary Saints.
St. Mary (15-5), seeded 12th in the Division III championship, relied on its own “Fantastic Four,” of sorts, as senior guards Justin Crosby and Anthony Garde, senior forward Matt Plasse, and junior Sam Thresher elevated the boys’ hoops team to a new level.
Crosby, a 2012 transfer from Westfield High, has brought speed, athleticism, and endless scoring to the team. Plasse, also a former Bomber, is a lanky, silky smooth shooter who can knock down a 3-pointer at a moment’s notice. Garde has been rock steady at the point guard position. And Thresher has grown to be an important cog in the team wheel, turning out key contributions in scoring and assists.
Although it may be a fleeting moment – with three of the “Fantastic Four” set for graduation – St. Mary has a chance to make a dent in the postseason Monday when the Saints travel to Springfield to take on No. 5 New Leadership (8-12). Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
New Leadership’s losing record may be a bit deceptive as the team regularly pencils in some of the area’s top Division I teams into its basketball schedule – they will be ready.
If St. Mary can deliver the first blow, tune out the crowd on the road, stand up to the pressure, and ultimately stay poised, the Saints just might come home with a victory Monday night.
POSTSEASON LOOKAHEAD: In other games, No. 12 Southwick (10-10) plays at No. 5 Belchertown (14-6) in the Division II girls’ basketball tournament; and, No. 5 Gateway (16-4) hosts No. 12 Pioneer Valley Christian School (10-10). Both contests are scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m.
