The Coventry boys basketball team lost four key players to injury dating back to before the start of the season.
But others have stepped in and before Monday’s game against Canton, the Patriots were 6-0, after a 54-47 win over previously-undefeated SMSA Friday.
“The games have been dogfights and they have been resilient and it’s quite incredible, that, considering all our injuries, we’re 6-0,” Coventry coach Lois Hasty said.
Hasty already had three players out, with one who likely would have been the starting center out for the season – then she lost her point guard, junior Kristian Bici, to an ankle injury. He missed three games, including the SMSA game, and will likely miss all three games this week, she said.
Sophomore Collin Harrington has stepped into the point guard role – “I knew he’d play but for him to be starting – he played very well against Windham and SMSA, two tough opponents,” Hasty said.
Senior Mather Spear has been playing center, even though he sometimes gives up six inches to his opponents, Hasty said, and another senior Gregor Bici is the team’s top defensive player.
Juniors Keanan Staples and Eric Jordan have carried the offensive load for the team.
“This team has done exceptionally well,” Hasty said. “We still have some talented guys out there and we have a couple of guys now playing more of a major role than I anticipated and they’re really coming along.
“They’re an unselfish group, a hard-working group and we are undersized. They fight hard and listen well. They’re a joy to coach.”
Last week’s top performers
Tommy Dinunzio, Lewis Mills: Dinunzio had 22 points and 13 rebounds in a 64-54 loss to Bloomfield Friday and 21 points and 17 rebounds to lead Lewis Mills to a 52-48 win in the consolation game of the Valley vs Hills Holiday Classic at Granby High Tuesday.
Brady Driscoll, Suffield: Driscoll hit 10 of 13 free throws and had 22 points in a 63-49 win over International Tuesday.
Rob Hall, Bloomfield: Hall scored 21 points in Bloomfield’s 64-54 victory over Lewis Mills Friday.
Camden Mazerolle, E.O. Smith: Mazerolle was named the Ron Pires Tournament MVP after scoring 14 points and having nine rebounds and four assists in the Panthers’ 74-67 win over Windham Tech Tuesday and 33 points in an 86-35 win over Bulkeley Monday.
Mello Moore, Xavier: Moore posted 18 points in an 80-56 loss to Shelton Friday.
Declan Moriarty, Haddam-Killingworth: Moriarty had 21 points as Haddam-Killingworth defeated last year’s Div. V state champion Shepaug Valley, 71-57 Friday.
Kahari Walker, East Hartford: Walker scored 21 points in a 73-53 win over E.O. Smith Friday.
Alex Weaver, Windsor: Weaver had 14 points, four rebounds, five steals and four assists in an 80-55 win over East Hartford Tuesday and had 17 points in an 82-77 victory over Platt Monday and was named the Care Classic Most Outstanding Player. He also had 22 points in a win over South Windsor Saturday.
Games to watch
Stafford (4-1) at Granby (4-1), Wednesday, 6:45 p.m.: Granby won its first four but lost to Lakeview by three points Dec. 30 while Stafford lost its first game by two points but has won its last four.
Hall (4-1) at Newington (4-1), Thursday, 6:45 p.m.: Newington’s Josiah Sims is 34 points shy of his career 1,000th and this will be the second of Newington’s two games this week, with the first taking place on Monday against Berlin.
Windsor (4-0) at East Catholic (5-0), Friday, 6:45 p.m.: Battle of two CCC unbeatens.