Mahegan: A Leader on the Court

The full range of Danvers High senior co-captain Sean Mahegan's offensive game was on display last Friday night when Danvers pushed Salem to the limit in a 75-74 loss.

On a night when he was equally effective inside, outside and in transition, Mahegan drained two three-pointers in the game's final 22 seconds to pull the Falcons within a point. Danvers had one final shot to win it off a Salem turnover but a long three-pointer didn't fall.

“It was a very competitive game. Sean has some incredible skills and we fought back behind his leadership. He played his heart out, easily his best game of the season,” said Danvers' first-year coach John Walsh. “Everything was in the concept of the offense. Nothing was forced. He got out in transition and defended really well.”

“I was feeling it. I was in a zone and can't really explain it, but it was fun. We didn't have a Tuesday game last week and had a tough week of practice. We were really prepared for that game and we played well. We scored a lot of fastbreak points and everyone got involved. It was really a good game, but a bad loss,” said Mahegan, a six-foot, two-inch hybrid guard/forward who leads the team in scoring.

As the Falcons' only senior with extensive varsity experience, Mahegan has fully embraced the leadership role, Walsh said.

“He is such a leader and it shows in how we're doing as a team. Nobody predicted this of us and lot of what we have done is due to Sean's leadership. For us to be 5-8 is quite an accomplishment,” Walsh said.

Mahegan said the Falcons remain focused on making the tournament. Back-to-back games against Saugus and Revere will go a long way toward determining if those hopes are realistic. “It can be done, but it will be tough,” he said.

While Mahegan showed extended range against Salem, he said, his strength is using his size and positioning to free up space for good looks in the paint. He said his defense remains a work in progress and a part of his game that needs to improve.

Mahegan has yet to make his college choice but said he has been accepted at most of the schools he's applied to. Basketball will be part of that future.

“I'll definitely be playing somewhere. I'm still sending out videos and talking to coaches,” he said. He will continue to refine his skills following the Falcons' season by playing AAU basketball with the Mass. Rivals for the third consecutive year.

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