Westfield Newsroom

MAR02 – SPORTS – STM Plasse Hoops Feature (JPMcK)

St. Mary's Matt Plasse takes a shot from beyond the arc. (Photo by Chris Putz)

 

 

St. Mary's Matt Plasse, left, sizes up his opponent before making a move. (Photo by Chris Putz)

 

 

 

 

 

“Plasse-tic Man” leads the Saints
St. Mary’s sweet shooting swingman struts his stuff for the Saints

By PETER FRANCIS
Intern
WESTFIELD – There is something about a late bloomer that sports fans love. We love to see a kid develop later in his career to become a stud, or emerge out of the shadows of a departed star teammate. You can name off hundreds of pro athletes who were drafted by one team, only to be cast away and go on to star for another (see Lin, Jeremy). But this phenomenon isn’t just relegated to the pro ranks. It occurs in high school, too.

Meet Matt Plasse, a junior forward for the St. Mary’s High School boys’ basketball team, whose path to schoolboy stardom was a long road, one which began at Westfield High and will end next season at the Whip City’s small catholic school.

Despite enduring a trying season this year as a team, Plasse emerged as an offensive force, while simultaneously developing into a leader on the court for coach Tom Sheridan’s Saints.

“He had a terrific season,” his coach raved in a recent interview. “He was tied for the most 3-pointers made in Western Mass. this season, which for a Division 3 school is great.”

While some local teams still continue to chase their respective division’s championships, the Saints’ focus is now directed on the offseason.

“If (Plasse) continues to work hard,” St. Mary’s coach said, “he could become an even bigger force for us next year, which is huge, since he will most likely be a captain.”

When asked of his rise to stardom, Plasse spoke of his first two years of high school at Westfield High.

“My parents and I made the switch from Westfield to St. Mary’s for academics and sports,” he said. “I’m the type of kid who likes a smaller classroom and after being cut from the team as a freshman and sophomore, I wanted a chance to play varsity basketball.”

And play he has.

In his first season of varsity action, Plasse left his mark on the Western Mass Division 3 ranks, averaging close to 14 points per game, connecting on 58 three-pointers for the season, and delivering several high scoring outings, including consecutive 23-point contests early in the season.

When asked of his inspiration on the court, Plasse does not hesitate: “Ray Allen.” The junior swingman said, “he’s just so smooth, the way he comes off screens, how quick his release is. I love his game.”

His lanky, 6-foot, 3-inch frame has also given way to similar comparisons to another skinny swingman in the NBA.

“I love watching Kevin Durant,too,” Plasse says of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s tall, lanky scoring machine, and recent winner of the MVP award of the NBA’s All-Star game. “He can get a shot off against anyone anytime he wants. He’s amazing to watch.”

And while much like Durant, Plasse has very little by way of an inside game – he looks forward to putting in work this summer on that aspect of his offensive arsenal.

“I rely heavily on the outside, so developing more of a back to the basket game is a must for me,” he said.

While Plasse is currently on the fence about playing either baseball or AAU basketball this spring, he has one goal in mind for the offseason – what every good player’s singular goal is – to get better.

“The last few games of the season, teams began running a box-and-one against us,” Coach Sheridan said. “Next year, with an improved post-up game, (Plasse) will be able to open up the perimeter for himself much easier.”

“We had some tough games this year,” Plasse said of his team’s difficult year. “But I know we can compete with anyone, and next year we are going to prove it.”

And it is that gung-ho attitude that is giving St. Mary’s fans good reason to believe that the Plastic Man and rest of the Saints will enjoy a season of heavenly proportions in 2012-2013.

 

Peter Francis can be reached at [email protected]

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