Spartans Fall to Pentucket in Opening Round of State Tournament

The boys’ basketball team's season came to an end Tuesday night, as they lost to Pentucket 64-54 in the preliminary round of the State tournament.

Earning Their Place in the Playoffs

The Spartans finished their season with an overall record of 10-11 and made the tournament without the help of the Sullivan Rule for the first time in about 15 years.

Senior John Cail recalled the moment when the team officially made it to the State tournament.

“Of course it was awesome, especially because that was our season-long goal,” Cail said. “We originally got in from the Sullivan Rule; however, our last win at home against Arch-Bishop Williams actually made our record 10-10 which would also make us eligible for the State tournament.”

Cail gave credit to his teammates for the successful season, but he also stressed that without coach Paul Tanglis, the Spartans wouldn't have made the tournament.

“Not only did we work hard day in and day out, but we really have to give credit to our head coach Paul Tanglis,” Cail said. “He actually worked harder than we did going to so many games to scout, having packets for our scouting reports and really raising the bar for this program in general.”

While the Spartans' season ended in the first round of the playoffs, Cail recalled the best moment from the season.

“When we beat Reading was the best moment,” Cail said. “Coach went nuts after we beat Reading at home.”

Making Strides

Junior Rob Clemente knew the Spartans had a legitimate shot to make the tournament this year.

“It was an amazing feeling making the tournament,” Clemente said. “That was our goal from the start of the year and we knew we could do it. All our hard work and dedication made us 10-10 (in the regular season).”

Clemente pointed out how his teammates stepped up and how the coaching staff gave the Spartans the best chance to win.

“We bought into coach Tanglis’ defense and how to never give up,” Clemente said. “We worked as a team and put the team in front of everything else. People stepped up in key situations and got the job done.”

Clemente also stressed that the win versus Reading was his most memorable moment of the year.

“They were ranked 20^th in the state and that was going to be a challenging game,” Clemente said. “We came out and played as hard as we ever have and got the win.”

Thriving as the Underdog

Junior Eric Mooney was concerned with the rankings in the preseason, but liked the fact the team could play underdogs.

“Preseason predictions really had us pegged as a team that couldn’t be overlooked,” Mooney said. “We really turned some heads this year.”

Tanglis influenced Mooney’s ability to play the game as well as the team buying into one system.

“As a team, we really worked hard together to collectively get better,” Mooney said. “Everyone bought into coach’s philosophy that hard work pays off which we proved as a team this year. As a team, completing our goals has given us a memory that can never be taken away.”

Mooney’s best moment was not when the team beat Reading or when he came off the bench with a broken nose to score 14 points, but a regular season win versus Melrose, a perennial powerhouse in the Middlesex League's Small Division.

“That win really proved to everyone that you should not take Stoneham lightly,” Mooney said.