English boys hoop team back … and hungrier

LYNN ? A 15-7 record and a trip to the Division 1 North quarterfinals can hardly be considered a bad season, but the English High boys basketball team wanted more last year.?We ended for the first time in a long time not getting a piece of the Northeastern Conference (title),” coach Mike Carr said. “It was disappointing for us, but it made us hungry.”What also made the season tough was what could have been if the team had not lost one of its key players, Stevie Collins, who missed a good portion of the season with hand and foot injuries.The Bulldogs also lost some key players because of academic issues.Although injuries are inevitable, academic problems aren’t and Carr said a big push has been made to make sure players get the job done in the classroom as well as on the court.?We’re trying to change the academic culture for the basketball kids and I’m pleasantly surprised with the effort they’ve put in,” Carr said.That effort includes progress reports every Friday and the formation of extra-help groups. Carr said some players have responded well to the program.The Bulldogs lost a couple of key players from last year’s run,including Freddie Hogan Jr. — who was 1,000-point scorer — and Dan Lukanda, whom Carr calls an undersized big man, a rebounding force and a great leader.But the Bulldogs are returning several seniors, giving them the potential to do something special — if all goes well. This group carried the Bulldogs to the North quarterfinals where they lost in overtime to Andover,which made it to the North final.Collins, a senior fresh off football, is the lone captain at this point. He and Erick Rosario, also a senior, comprise a backcourt that Carr said is as strong as any in Eastern Mass.Collins, who is 5-feet-11, is the shooting guard and does everything at full throttle.?He’s the most competitive kid I’ve ever coached,” Carr said. “You saw it on the football field. He’s just a competitor. He makes our practices wars. He makes everyone better.”Collins averaged about 12 points per game last year, but his numbers were down because of his injuries.Rosario, 5-feet-11, also a senior, is the point guard,?I think he may be the best point guard in the North,” Carr said. “He can play with anybody.”Anthony Silfa, who played for Carr as a freshman and saw considerable varsity time with the team that went to the North final that year, is back. Silfa played at St. Mary’s last year and recorded 560 points, Carr said.?He’s a pure shooter. He’s a strong kid and he’ll be a great asset. He’s matured an awful lot,” Carr said.Johnny Hilaire, a 6-feet-6 senior left-handed forward, is also back. He provided the Bulldogs with a spark midway through the season that helped get them to the quarterfinals.?He’s a high flyer who plays above the rim,” Carr said.Jordan Lark at 6-feet-5 gives the Bulldogs a big presence in the paint. He missed last season because of an injury and eligibility issue, but he’s back in the fold this year.Some other players who saw time and will fill various roles this season include Kelvin DeLeon, a junior guard, Venantius Phillip, Liocar Terrero, Jeam Castillo and Brett Holey, a 6-feet-5 junior swing man who Carr said has been very impressive.Carr had 96 players show up for tryouts so he’s still evaluating the talent to round out the rosters. Carr’s coaching staff includes Ron Young, Steve Stranahan, Tom Smiley and Jim Tidmarsh, with Billy Dutch also back with the program.