LYNN — Summer basketball is back in Lynn, as the KIPP Panthers took on Cathedral at St. Mary’s on Monday night.
Despite the Panthers’ efforts to claw back into the game, it was Cathedral who went home with a 60-48 win.
Both teams struggled in the first half with turnovers, as they are still getting familiar with teammates and building chemistry. After the game, Panthers head coach Moody Bey, who watched from the bleachers, said it was important for his team to find its identity during these games.
“KIPP is a unique school. A lot of the kids who come in have been here since kindergarten or first grade. There are not too many transfers because there’s a waiting list,” Bey said. “I really want these kids to build their identity during the summer league and let me find a way to sculpt them to what fits them.”
A player who had success on both ends of the floor for the Panthers was guard Tolu Abosede. Abosede got the ball at the top of the key and quickly blew by his defender, before adjusting his body midair to avoid the help-side defender and making an acrobatic layup in the third quarter.
On the very next possession, it was Abosede who came up with the loose ball and showed his speed in the open court, finishing the lefty layup.
Although KIPP came up short, Bey says he wants his team to continue to fall in love with the sport.
“All summer I have been seeing these kids falling in love with basketball, which is most important to me,” Bey said. “I came onto the staff two years ago, a year after COVID, and kids were away from the game for over a year. Getting them back into the groove of loving basketball and falling in love with getting back into the gym has been the most important thing.”
When asked what he’s taking away from the summer league games, Bey mentioned his players working hard and finding their identity.
“Seeing these kids working hard and looking to be coached hard is what I’m taking from these summer league games,” Bey said. “We are down our only returning all-star, so it was good to see other guys step up in the absence of him.”
KIPP finished last season winning five of its six final games, and is losing four seniors to graduation.
“We are bringing back a decent portion to the team but we also lost some players who are irreplaceable in terms of things they brought to the team on and off the court,” Bey said.
Bey mentioned that for KIPP, he and his coaching staff have to work differently compared to other schools.
“A lot of these schools have the benefit of having kids transfer in that will fit their system. We kind of have to work in reverse, where we have to adjust to the kids’ play style. If they want to play fast, then play fast, if they want to play slow, then play slow,” Bey said.
Bey believes if the team finds its identity, he will be able to help set the chemistry and culture at KIPP.
“There’s no replacement for time. Chemistry will come with time,” Bey said. “I think what’s more important is to build their own identity first. I can help them with chemistry and the culture, but for these guys we need them to come into their own and I think summer league is great for that.”
Although Bey was watching the game as a fan, since the MIAA has strict rules regarding how coaches can engage with their players during the offseason, he said he wishes he could be coaching now and can’t wait until the wintertime.
“I love this group and I love KIPP. I wish I could be on the sidelines, but I’ll have to wait until the winter,” Bey said. “Luckily, we have awesome members of the KIPP community who help us out with open gyms and coaching.”
