LYNN — The English-Classical basketball rivalry is entering uncharted territory on the Paul F Cavanagh Field House parquet Monday night.
Both the Bulldogs and the Rams are more than familiar with throwing their records out the window and giving each other their best shot throughout their annual regular season meetings. This time, the intensity will be turned up a few notches when No. 2 English hosts No. 15 Classical in the first round of the Division 1 North state tournament.
But the fact that there’s more on the line than usual won’t change English head coach Antonio Anderson and his Bulldog’s approach.
“We’re taking it like any other game,” English coach Antonio Anderson said. “Obviously both sides are pretty familiar with each other and both teams want to win to advance. That’s the bottom line and we have to come in ready.”
The Bulldogs are heading into the tournament as defending state champions after a historic run last year. Now it’s about building off the momentum of a dominating regular season, and it all starts with a capable opponent in Classical.
“They got players that can play on their side,” Anderson said. “They have a lot of potential. It’s about staying focused. We’ve been on a roll recently. We’re playing really good defense and the kids are doing everything we’re asking them to. We have to keep that going now.”
The Rams hope to slow down that momentum to keep their season alive. Classical lost both matchups to English this season by a combined score of 197-125, so Rams’ coach Jasper Grassa and his team know it won’t be an easy task.
“We know it’s going to be tough after facing them twice,” Grassa said. “It was a tough game for us both times but we’re feeling good. That’s the only way you can go into a game like this really. It’s win or go home and we’re ready for the challenge.”
It’ll take the Rams’ best shot after a slow ending to a 12-10 season that started out with some promise.
“We definitely had a bad stretch at the end of the season,” Grassa said. “It was disappointing for sure but we’ve got to put that behind us now.
“We have to make sure to stop them in transition,” Grassa said. “That’s the biggest thing. If you can’t do that it’s game over against them. Rebounding is also going to be key. They have a lot of size and we have to compete. We have to share the ball offensively, pass well and hit our shots. That’s the only way you can beat them.”
With a weekend to prepare, Grassa and the Rams are feeling their best and hoping that translates onto the court.
“The practices have been really good,” Grassa said. “The kids are working hard. Our kids are feeling good and they’re optimistic. I’m feeling really good too and we’re just excited for Monday.”
The Bulldogs are also ready to start their run at a repeat title and plan on coming at Classical from all angles.
“We don’t try to defer it to one person,” Anderson said. “You can become easy to stop that way. We don’t go into games focusing on one person or one thing, we want to spread the ball around. We have four, five, six guys that can all play well and that’s really key for us.”
In a rivalry game you look for any edge you can get and the Bulldogs are happy to be playing on their home court to start the tournament.
“Being on the home court always helps,” Anderson said. “Our fans are awesome and the student body is great supporting the team. I’m sure there’s going to be tons of people from the city there Monday and students. I’m sure it’ll be a rowdy crowd.”
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.