Classical off to new start

The Classical High boys basketball team is coming off a successful 14-10 season and although several players have graduated, the Rams still have some weapons in the arsenal.The Rams tied for the Northeastern Conference North title with English and made it two deep in the state tournament, defeating Beverly in a close game before losing to Wakefield at the buzzer. This year Classical will be minus Eraldo Custodio (18 points per game), Jalen Brown (10 points per game), George Perez and Tyler Ierardi, all of whom have graduated.Despite the hit, coach Tom Grassa is encouraged by the returning contingent and a couple of newcomers to the mix. Junior Phil Rogers did a little bit of everything last year. At 6-3, he gives the Rams a lift across the board. He averaged 15.3 points per game and 10 rebounds.?We?re hoping he continues to be a double-digit scorer and contributes at both ends. He?s multi-dimensional,” Grassa said.Grassa is also looking for good things from 6-6 junior Kyle Doucette in the five spot. Doucette missed his entire sophomore season because of a fractured vertebra.?He?s a really good player. We have high hopes for him,” Grassa said. “We?re hoping he stays injury-free.”Look for Monte Wolfe to do some damage at forward.?He?s about 6-2. He?s a wide body, a strong kid. He?s a banger, a hard worker and a nice post player,” Grassa said, adding Wolfe is also a good defender who rebounds well for his size.Eddie Solis, a 6-3 senior, saw considerable time for the Rams last year, both as a starter and coming off the bench.?He?s an excellent slasher and a really good rebounder for a guard,” Grassa said. “He can run forever and he?s a decent outside shooter.”The Rams also have their point guard, Jordan Brown, back in the fold. Brown saw a lot of playing time, both starting and coming off the bench.?He?s a good defender. He?s instrumental in helping us when we press. He had a lot of foot speed,” Grassa said, adding that the team overall has good speed.Ronnie Williams played for Tech two years ago and transferred to Classical last year. He had to sit out the year, but he?s eligible this year.?He?s a triple threat,” Grassa said. “He can slash. He?s a good ball-handler, can shoot from the outside. He?s a good passer and a good rebounder.”On a somewhat related note, the Rams lost a player to Tech. Odell Tiggs saw some time for Classical last year, but he?s playing at Tech this year.Rounding out the Ram roster are some players who moved up from junior varsity — Peter Mafo, Derek Chigas, Strati Saranteas, Derell Hendricks, Ed McConney and Adam Nickolas.In addition to their 10 games against fellow Northeastern Conference North teams, the Rams have two games in the Walter Boverini Tournament, two against St. John?s, two against Everett and one against Malden.The Malden game will be somewhat special in that it?s being played at TD Garden as part of an invitational tournament put together by Steve Gibbs, who owns and runs Hoop Mountain Inc. basketball. The game will be played on Saturday, Jan. 25, as part of an all-day high-school basketball slate at the Garden. St. John?s is also playing in it, as is Bishop Fenwick. Grassa said there will be seven high school games that day.Grassa said day of basketball is based on the old Tech Tournament that used to be held at the Boston Garden in the 1960s and early 1970s. Back then, Grassa said, The Garden would be booked for three days in the middle of the week and high school games would go from noon until 10 p.m.The Rams will play Beverly Friday night (7) in the Elmo Benedetto Jamboree at English. They?ll open the season a week from Friday at Beverly. Classical?s first four games and seven of the first 10 are on the road. On the flip side, Grassa said seven or eight games down the stretch will be at home.