LYNN — Basketball was in the air in Lynn on Friday evening as all five Lynn high schools participated in the jamboree to get an early feel for how their teams will look this winter. In addition to the Lynn schools, Chelsea, Woburn, Brookline, Charlestown, and Brooke Charter all featured in a packed Lynn English gymnasium.
Lynn English head coach Alvin Abreu whose team took on Charlestown, has organized the jamboree the last three years and spoke to how much this event means to the community.
“This is my third year running it. I appreciate the coaches who are always committed and agree to be a part of it. I think it’s a celebration of all the players making their teams and to get a first look at what our teams will look like for the season,” Abreu said. “This is more of a community event. The beauty of this event is that it’s the only event where all Lynn coaches and players are playing on the same floor on the same night. These guys went to middle school and elementary school with each other. They all get to support each other at the end of the day, but when they’re on the floor they all want to compete.”
Lynn Classical head coach Marvin Avery spoke about how the atmosphere helps simulate what it will be like in the regular season.
“I think it’s good for the city and it’s good to see some of the young guys play in a game atmosphere. I’ve been doing this ever since I was coaching and I think it’s good for the overall situation to get these kids ready being used to a crowd and seeing where you stand as a team,” Avery said.
Although the Rams fell to St. Mary’s on the night 38-26, Avery knows the real test is next Friday.
“I never judge my team on the jamboree, I never will. We’re off to get ready for Somerville, that’s where I’ll judge my team. On December 13 we’ll be ready to go against Somerville.”
Lynn Tech pulled out a narrow win against Brookline (24-21) and head coach Corey Bingham was pleased to see his team starting to form their identity.
“Coming into the game I felt like we didn’t have an identity. Now I know we can go back to relying on our defense and back to what we’re used to by trapping. Every year it’s a new team so you can’t expect them to do what the last year’s team did,” Bingham said.
Bingham praised Abreu for the event as he believes it’s a great way for all Lynn schools to get ready for the season.
“Hats off to Al, that’s my guy. I was here with him at English and for him to bring this feeling back is special. We played in this so we know what it means to the city and the guys that grew up with it,” Bingham said. “All around what it does for the kids they get to see each other and compete with one another.”
There wasn’t one empty seat during the entirety of the jamboree and the entire event was well organized with music being played in between games and timeouts to keep the energy inside the gym.
The season is less than a week away for some teams and for Abreu, he can’t wait for the games to start counting towards his record.
“I’m excited to get going. Being a coach in Massachusetts it’s like you’re in jail in the offseason so now we’re finally able to work with our team and try to find the identity as a group. Days like today when you get to step against another opponent you get to learn about your team so I’m excited to see that tonight,” Abreu said. “It’s the first step of our journey tonight.”
