Crimson Tide boys’ basketball team begins new era Tuesday against visiting Malden on ‘White Out’ Night

New coach Gerard Boyce looks to maintain the program’s winning tradition with a collaborative effort

By Joe McConnell

The Everett High School (EHS) boys’ basketball team has a new coach. Stanley Chamblain, an EHS assistant principal, stepped down this summer from his role as head coach of the team after a five-year run, which featured four state tournament berths and two Greater Boston League (GBL) titles. The Crimson Tide ended up with a 10-11 overall record last year after losing to host Attleboro in the first round of the Division 1 state tournament, 67-55. They finished second in the GBL at 10-4. Gerard Boyce has succeeded him as the Crimson Tide’s top boys hoop boss.

Boyce comes from a strong high school basketball lineage, dating back to his own playing days at East Boston High School, where he learned the game from legendary Mass. Hall of Fame coach Mike Rubin. He played in Rubin’s program from 1986 to 1990. The East Boston native later volunteered at his alma mater for several years, working his way up to associate head coach of the team. He also coached multiple AAU squads over the years. Needless to say, he loves teaching basketball to future generations, and he simply said, “Coaching is my passion.”

Speaking about lineage, he knows all about the history of Everett boys’ basketball. “Everett doesn’t use the word rebuild [when heading into a new season],” he said to the Everett Advocate earlier this week.

And with that said, Boyce will carry 15 players on the varsity roster. After just a few practices, he had this assessment of this year’s team: “The players and coaches are grinding hard to get ready for the season,” while adding, “but we will know what type of team we will be as the season progresses. My motto is to get better each week.”

Jaysaun Coggins, coming off of an 8-2 football season, Liam Dorosario, Leison Ruiz, Cleevence Erilus and Steve Nunes are this year’s captains. Lawan Swain and Gerell Boyce will assist Boyce along the sidelines, or as he says, “We collaborative coach.”

Boyce scheduled scrimmages against Chelmsford and Wakefield to get ready for this season in order to make adjustments while also trying to eradicate the mistakes.

The Everett boys will open up the season at home against Malden on Tuesday, Dec. 12, starting at 7 p.m. “We are doing a ‘White Out’ theme on opening night,” said Boyce. “The first 300 fans attending the game will be given a white T-shirt with a red E on it. The players will wear white uniforms, and the coaches will coach in white attire.”

The Tide will then go up against host Chelsea two nights later at 6 p.m.