By Matt Stewart

    The Lunenburg boy’s basketball team is loaded with senior talent, two of which are returning Mid Wach C All-Stars, which head coach Jon Economo feels should prove valuable to the Blue Knights push for post-season play this season.

    “We do have a good core of returning kids,” Economo said.  “We lost some key players from last year, but the expectations are a little higher, especially with two returning all-stars.”

    The Blue Knights return seven seniors to the squad, including D.J. Guillette and Mike Xarras who were named league all-stars.

    Guillette and Xarras comprise two key elements to the Blue Knights potent backcourt and wings.  Xarras, the floor general, returns as the starting point guard.

    “Xarras is probably the best point guard in the league,” Economo said.  “He’ll average anywhere from ten to 15 points per game.  He’s literally a coach on the court.  He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and really knows how to control the team.”

    Guillette starts at small forward, stands about 6’4” tall, and currently leads the team in scoring.  Guillette was named Co-MVP of the league last season, and has gained the attention of college scouts.  Dominic Marabello, another senior, completes the team’s backcourt, at starting shooting guard.

    “DJ’s more of a three, while Dominic is more of a pure shooter on the wing,” Economo said.  “Both of them are great with the ball and both have a great outside shot.  D.J’s a four dimensional player, as he can post up, and play outside with a great shot and high release.”

    Last season the Blue Knights posted double digit wins which landed them in two post-season tournaments, the Clark Tournament and the District Tournament, and a repeat of that feat is a goal for this year’s team.  Unfortunately for Lunenburg, the squad was knocked out in the first round of the District Tournament last year, which marked the conclusion of their season.

    “There are a heck of a lot of teams out there this year that are good,” Economo said.  “Some of the smaller schools are a lot better than normal… It’s important for us to get off to a great start, and hopefully we’ll find ourselves in the Clark Tournament (and District Tournament).  We’ve got to take each game at a time.    

    Down low, Tom Abare, the roughly 6’2” junior, controls the paint for the Blue Knights at starting center.  While another junior, Troy Cutter, returning after a back injury limited last season’s play, comprises the other low post position, at starting power forward.

    “Both (Cutter and Abare), are football players, that are big kids with wide bodies, that work very hard,” Economo said.  “They’re both going to give us a lot of rebounds.  Abare’s a pure center, while Troy’s a mixed forward who can play a little bit on the wing.  (Cutter’s) probably more of a three than a four, but he can also play with his back to the basket.”

    Lunenburg utilizes its speed and agility by running a dribble-drive motion offense.

    “We’re pretty much small and quick, and are looking to push the ball, get the ball out of the basket quickly and get up and down the court fast,” Economo said.  “Most of the kids who come off the bench are also small and quick.  We have about three kids with size, the rest are about average.”

    Defensively the Blue Knights tend to use a man-to-man scheme, however will alter the game plan depending on their opponent.

    “We’ll go man, zone, look to half-court trap, and full court trap,” Economo said.  “It obviously depends upon who we play.  We try to work around our strength, which is our quickness, and look to pressure the basketball.”

    Sophomore shooting guard Ryan Corcoran, junior guard Stephen Kinney, senior forwards Danny Hansen and Mike Tetreault will compete for minutes off the bench.

    “We’re really looking to see something from (Corcoran), and get him some development and playing time,” Economo said.  “(Kinney) is a great defensive asset coming off the bench… We’re looking for some good minutes from (Hansen and Tetreault).”

    Lunenburg opened the season at home last Friday with an impressive 56-38 win over Ayer.  Unfortunately LHS hit a road block against a highly talented Maynard squad on Monday in Maynard, as the Blue and White fell 75-58, dropping their record to 1-1.

    “We really haven’t found ourselves as a team yet,” Economo said.  “We’ve been sloppy, poor on the backboards, but the overall effort has been outstanding… Maybe we’re not fully in shape yet…Playing the eleventh was unusual for us, and I think it did effect our play overall since we could’ve used some more time in the gym.”

    The Blue Knights are back in action tonight against Division 1 North Middlesex, up in Townsend.