Tide boys basketball preps for hopeful long postseason run

Division 1 state tournament pairings will be announced tomorrow on MIAA website

By Joe McConnell

The Everett High School boys basketball team (15-5) won its last seven out of eight regular season games to go into the postseason red-hot among all of the state’s elite squads. According to the state power rankings on Feb. 20, the Everett boys are 37^th out of 61 Division 1 clubs.

“I’m extremely proud of the boys,” said first-year head coach Gerard Boyce. “They have given me all they have, and then some this year.

“We have a week to prepare for the state tournament,” added Boyce. “We will know our first-round opponent (tomorrow, Feb. 24). But overall, it’s been an epic first year, but we’re not done yet. We’re now looking forward to the tournament.”

Everett’s final week of the regular season started off with a win over East Boston, Boyce’s alma mater, 65-60 on Feb. 15. They then lost to non-league host Sharon Sunday afternoon to begin a late season invitational tournament, 75-52, before beating Dedham in the consolation game the next day, 65-45.

“I graduated from East Boston in 1990, and coaching against them was epic,” said Boyce. “It was a first for me to coach against one of my former players. It was very uncomfortable, but I’m glad we got the win. (East Boston) coach Figueroa has his team playing sound.”

Allsin Desruisseaux was the top scorer against the Jets with 19 points. Jaysaun Coggins was close behind with 16.

Boyce then admitted they didn’t play that well against Sharon. “We didn’t come to play against Sharon,” said Boyce. “We were outplayed and outcoached. We must get better for the state tournament or it will end our season. But I’m confident in our guys to get it done.”

Coggins and Tyson Chunn were the top two Everett scorers against Sharon with 19 and 10 points, respectively. Desruisseaux accounted for nine points.

But Boyce was thrilled to see them immediately bounce back against Dedham. “There’s nothing like ending the regular season with a win, and then carrying it over to practice to get even better,” the coach said.

Desruisseaux was the team’s high scorer against Dedham with 16 points. Coggins was next in line with 13 points. Jevaun Berberena and Chunn poured in 10 apiece to complete the double-digit scorers. Leison Ruiz and Cristian Vasquez were close behind with nine each.

While Everett is ranked 37^th, the Top 10 Division 1 teams are currently as follows: North High (18-0), Catholic Memorial (16-3), North Andover (16-4), Franklin (20-1), Central Catholic (13-6), Xaverian Brothers (13-6), Andover (13-4), Lowell (13-6), Lawrence (15-6) and Boston College High (11-7).