Stonington Backcourt Loaded For Bear

Stonington's Eastern Connecticut Conference opponents have seen enough of the Donahue family already.

Kevin Donahue scored nearly 2,000 career points and led the Bears to the Class M semifinals three years ago. He has since graduated, but last year as a sophomore, brother Sam Donahue led the ECC in scoring with over 21 points a game for a 11-9 regular season team last year. This year, freshman brother Jackson Donahue, another talented shooter, is expected to contribute on varsity, giving Bear opponents two Donahues to gameplan.

The family tree doesn't end there. Will DeFanti, the Donahue's distant cousin, transferred to SHS from Maine. Bear coach Mike Reyes expects the 5-10 guard to add ball-handling skills and penetrating ability to the basket.

The Bears routed Killingly, 74-40, in their opener Friday behind Sam Donahue's 22 points on six 3-pointers, DeFanti's 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and Jackson Donahue's nine points. Stonington will come at opponents in waves of Donahues and guards in general. Senior Cody Candelet returns at point guard, giving Reyes a four-guard lineup to play with returning 6-3 center Jake Berkowitz.

"We're going to take advantage of our speed and athleticism," Reyes said. "But if we want to run, we'll have to rebound. Our guards are going to have to help out on the boards."

Reyes will lean on Sam Donahue to do his share of dirty work underneath the basket. Donahue has grown to 6-foot-1, has started a weightlifting program and has benefitted from a year of AAU summer ball. He established himself as a prolific scorer and deadly outside shooter last year, topping the 40-point mark twice. He set a school record with 10 3-pointers in one game last year.

"He scored over 20 a game as a sophomore, which says a lot about his ability," Reyes said. "This year, we're looking for him to improve all areas of his game, like attacking the basket the way his brother Kevin did."

Kevin, a junior guard at Assumption College now, was a good outside shooter, but more known for a signature 15-foot pull-up shot and strong moves to the basket.

"The Donahues are all unique in their own player," Reyes  said. "Sam is a great outside shooter, Kevin had the mid-range game and Jackson is a little bit in the middle of both. I'm glad they're here."

Reyes also welcomes their cousin DeFanti.

"He's very strong a great addition," Reyes said. "He's a nice compliment to Sam. He takes the ball to the basket well and has great court vision."

Candelet is the consummate point guard who averaged six points a game last year. Six-one junior Connor Buckley looks for playing time as a swingman. Seniors Sam Dipollino and Tom Bovino, who scored eight against Killingly, will also get into the rotation as Reyes expects to play a deep bench in the wide-open running offense.

Up front, Berkowitz returns as a starter after averaging eight points and eight rebounds last year. Six-four senior Mark Wingfield adds strength and defensive presence to the frontcourt.

Stonington competes in the loaded ECC Medium with New London, perhaps the No. 1 team in the state, and always tough Windham. Outside of the Whalers, Stonington might emerge as the most talented offensive team in the ECC.

"New London moves up to the Large next year," Reyes said. "It is what it is with them in the Medium. They'll be the best team we'll play. Overall, I expect a good season, but the biggest question will be our rebounding. If we don't rebound we can't play a wide-open, fast-breaking system."