Classical hoop team has some big shoes to fill

The Classical High boys basketball team will have some serious offensive production to replace with the graduation of its big guns, Vince Spence and Roberto Vellon.Spence, who is now playing at Bunker Hill Community College, and Vellon, now playing at Northern Essex Community College, both averaged 19 points per game. The Rams, who also lost Jorel Berberena to graduation, are coming off a 15-7 season that saw them tie with Salem and English for first place in the Northeastern Conference North. They reached the second round of the Division 1 North state tournament, where they lost to Boston Latin.Despite the hit, coach Tom Grassa has a solid group of returnees who varying degrees of varsity time last year.Sophomore Jarell Byrd started most of the season at the five spot. He averaged four points per game and led the Rams in rebounds and blocked shots, Jasper Grassa started several games at the point and like Byrd, averaged about four points per game.Grassa will also be looking for Quivari Jackson to step up this year.”He’s solid at both ends of the court,” Grassa said. “He’s quick and he’s an excellent passer.”Jackson is one of nine players who just wrapped up a successful football season for the 8-2 Rams. Grassa is hoping the winning attitude will carry into basketball season.”A lot of football players are coming off a very successful football campaign. They have a lot of confidence. That helps with the chemistry when you have five or six players who experienced a lot of success.”One of those football players who’ll try and carry the success from the gridiron on to the basketball court is Cameron Smith. Grassa said Smith was a role player most of last season, but down the stretch played a significant role in many of the wins. He only took three shots against Salem, but they were all from 3-point territory and he hit them all.”He’ll help us immensely with rebounding,” Grassa said.Point guard Luis Ayala had spot minutes on the varsity last year, but Grassa is hoping he’ll help out even more this season.”He’s very quick, a real spark plug,” Grassa said. “He can provide a lot of quick offense.”Alex Watler, who quarterbacked the football team, played as a freshman and sophomore but didn’t come out last year. He’s back and should help the cause.”He’s a scrappy, aggressive kid. I think he’ll help us on defense and in rebounding,” Grassa said.The returning group also includes 6-4 Sebastian Bejin who is tough in the paint. He played junior varsity last year. Tony Wonde, a 5-11 sophomore, and Chris Francois, a 5-11 forward, will also be fighting for minutes.