WOODBURY — Last year, the Nonnewaug Chiefs defeated the Shepaug Spartans, 73-69, in the Berkshire League boys basketball tournament final to cap off a BL championship season.
But now what?
The 2024-25 season is right around the corner, and the team has been practicing together throughout the summer and fall to try and regain some chemistry. Will it be enough to capture yet another BL title?
Junior point guard Brady Herman explains what the team has been doing in the offseason.
“We’ve been playing with each other throughout the summer and the fall,” Herman said, “so we’ve definitely built more of a trust with each other throughout both of those leagues, the fall league and the summer league, so I’m excited to see how it plays out on the court.”
The boys have been putting in the work to try and fill the spots left open by 2024 graduate Ben Roden, who was an All-State forward, and Carter Casbarro, who transferred from Nonnewaug to another school.
Herman believes even though they lost some key players, they have others that are ready to take the jump and be there for their team. Players that might see more playing time include Robert Metcalfe, Derek Chung, and Thomas Lengyel. Senior starter Lincoln Nichols also returns.
“Losing two big players was definitely a big blow, but we have people to step up,” says Herman.
Because the team lost key players, Metcalfe is ready to step up and confident in his team’s abilities.
“I’m confident because four people from our starting lineup are gonna play again this year, and everyone got bigger and better,” Metcalfe said.
Metcalfe thinks despite the impressive past season, this season will exceed last year’s achievements.
“I’m excited. This year’s gonna be a lot more fun and everyone will definitely see improvement from last season,” says Metcalfe.
Lengyel, a senior, agrees with Metcalfe and also has high expectations for this season.
“I feel like our expectations are pretty high this year but I’m not really nervous,” Lengyel said. “I feel like we can definitely go do it again and win BLs again even without Ben Roden.”
Even though Lengyel’s not nervous for the season, he wants the team to work hard to replace Roden’s spot.
“Some of us have to step up this year and fill in the spot that Ben played and do really well defensively this year,” says Lengyel.
Going into this season as a senior, being a leader is important for Lengyel.
“We want some of the younger kids to be more comfortable on the team and we want to get to know them all and make them feel a part of the team,” says Lengyel.
Heading into the season Metcalfe believes that the team will have high chances to remain on top.
“A lot of other teams have injuries and or aren’t as competitive,” Metcalfe said, “so I think we have a good chance [of winning the BL championship].”
