Great Work Ethic Could Lift Lawrence Academy Again
GROTON, Mass. – Lawrence Academy was a great example of winning the old-fashioned way last season. Not blessed with eye-popping talent or depth, they nonetheless walked away with a NEPSAC Class C title, knocking off a good St. Mark’s team in the final by a deceptive 60-40 score. They did it by simply out-working the opposition, a team with much more size and certainly more talent.
More of the same can be expected in 2007-08, as the Spartans have a similar team full of Massachusetts natives. There isn’t much size once again, it’s not the most experienced team (two freshmen figure to play plenty of minutes and a sophomore is expected to be a key player), and it’s not loaded with big-time Division I talent. But after last season, can you bet against them?
At the nerve center of the operation is senior point guard Stevie Mejia. The Rhode Island commit simply makes this team go and has come a long way from when no one imagined he would play in the Atlantic 10 one day. On Tuesday night, he showed off an ever-improving three-point stroke with great range. Not surprisingly, that’s been one focus of his because he’s very aware that the three-point line will be moving back in college basketball. He got this far from his work ethic and intangibles, and they’re sure to help carry him and the team further.
Junior Darryl Cato-Bishop, who didn’t make Tuesday’s workout while fulfilling football obligations, is another big intangibles player. A football star, he’s a warrior on the court who plays bigger than his size (6’3″, 220) and does several things to help his team. He’s not a big scorer or shooter, but he will contribute offensively and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he leads them in rebounding.
Sophomore Denzel Brito might be the go-to scorer after being a reserve last season. The 6’2″ guard has the tools to be a good scorer, especially if he continues to improve his jumper from long range. Although he struggled a bit at first on Tuesday, he came alive from long range later in the day and is aggressive offensively. He’s already grown a few inches since the end of last season and played well during the spring and summer.
Marcus Grant, a 6’2″ freshman, figures to get plenty of playing time right away and looks like he has good potential. The lefty showed a good mid-range touch and looks like he can hit the occasional three-pointer, but the most impressive thing about him isn’t something that might be obvious right away. On a number of occasions, he not only finished with his right hand close to the basket, but also drove to his right. It’s rare for a player this early to be so comfortable with his off hand and driving to his off side.
Sophomore forward Saki Ampim, who has two older brothers in the Division I ranks, is an intriguing prospect who had some good moments in Tuesday’s workout. He has grown physically since last season ended and is showing a better feel for the game. While he didn’t shoot it well, he made a few nice reverse layups and got better as the workout went along.
Jon Wilkie, a 6’4″ senior wing from Groton, and Sudbury native Dan Giovacchini, a 6’3″ freshman wing, will also get minutes for this team.
As was the case last year, the Spartans don’t have the most bodies around or the most talented ones. But the ones they had last year lifted them to a title, and some of those same players are back to try and win another one the same way.
