LYNN — Since the conclusion of last season, the Classical boys basketball team has been looking forward to the start of the 2017-2018 campaign. And given everything the Rams have going for themselves this winter, it’s clear as to why the team’s anxious to get started.
Last winter, the Rams breezed their way into the Division 2 North final where they squared off against a powerhouse Brighton team. Classical gave Brighton everything it had, but the Bengals walked away with a 79-73 win en route to the Division 2 state championship. Classical finished the season at 21-4.
Despite the tough loss, Classical returns for the 2017-2018 with all but one player from last season’s team. Perhaps the team’s lone personnel change, albeit a minor one, is that of head coach. Jasper Grassa, a former assistant on the Classical staff, takes over on the sidelines for his father, Tom.
Aside from that, the Rams moved from Division 2 to Division 1.
“We’re going to be very strong this year,” Grassa, a former Classical hoops star who also excelled collegiately at Bentley, said. “At the same time we moved to Division 1 so we’ll be facing some different teams this year. A lot of them will be stronger teams.”
The returning Classical core will be led by a senior sibling duo in the Solis brothers, Edwin and Erick. Edwin plays the guard position while Erick stars at forward. Both brothers emerged as top scoring threats in the Northeastern Conference last season.
This time around, in addition to what they can produce on the court, the Solis brothers will be relied on for leadership.
“On the court I’m expecting the same,” Grassa said. “Mainly what I’m looking for from them is leadership. They’re the two oldest kids on the team this year. For them to step up in their leadership, that’s the most important thing this year.”
Also returning is a trio of junior guards in Jaylen Johnson, Deontae Plouffe and Dyrrell Rucker.
“From sophomore to junior year, I think that’s the biggest step most kids take,” Grassa said. “Dyrrell and Jaylen both have two years of varsity experience. The thing for them, as well, is just maturity. I know what they can do on the court.”
A sense of confidence, stemming from last season, is spreading among the Rams. That confidence, along with speed and athleticism, are what Grassa foresees as his team’s strengths.
“Our athleticism, our speed and our playmaking abilities will be our strengths,” Grassa said. “Our defense as well. I think we took a huge step last year. We didn’t look at ourselves as a good team in the NEC, we looked at ourselves as a good team in the state. I think that confidence built over the summer and moving into the season.”
Rebounding, on the other hand, is where Grass would like to see the Rams improve.
“We’re looking to improve on rebounding,” Grassa said. “We have a bunch of reserves that might not have been ready for big varsity games. A couple of those kids got themselves in the weight room and grew a little bit. We’re a lot bigger than last year, that’s for sure.”
Classical began its preseason slate of practices last week. Grassa’s main focus through early going has been conditioning but he feels the players have responded positively.
“Things are looking very good, we’re actually in a lot better shape than I thought we’d be,” Grassa said. “I’ve been running them a lot, I like to do that to get them in shape through the first couple of weeks. These guys worked a lot during the summer. They’re looking great this year.”
The Rams begin the season on Dec. 15 when they host Somerville.