PEABODY — After losing nine seniors to graduation — three of whom were starters — and a key returner to injury, the Peabody boys basketball team has holes to fill this winter.
Gone are the likes of Daily Item and Northeastern Conference All-Star Jariel Tolentino, who averaged 19 points per game and big man Jimmy Festa, the Tanners’ leading rebounder who was a force down low.
Coach Thad Broughton, back for his 15th season, said those two players were, “hands down, our biggest losses.”
But that’s not stopping Broughton from feeling optimistic about the upcoming season.
“We lost a bunch of key contributors, so we will be very young and have a completely new look, but I’m excited,” Broughton said. “We have a lot of new faces and don’t have a lot of experienced guys, but there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone, so I look forward to seeing who steps up.”
Last year’s team finished 10-10 to earn the No. 39 seed in the Division 1 state tournament. While the Tanners were eliminated by No. 26 Barnstable, 51-46, in the preliminary round, Broughton said he was happy with the way his boys competed.
“They won 17 games and we had a shot to tie it with six seconds left, only to rim out,” Broughton said. “To almost knock them off was definitely a positive takeaway.”
Peabody will be led by senior captain Steven Loris as well as junior captains Mark Mendonca and Justin Pais, who is out with a torn ACL.
“Justin will be a key contributor when he comes back. Steven was out all last year with a knee injury, but should be another key player as he works his way back,” Broughton said. “Mark (8 PPG) started every game for us and was fantastic, so I expect big things from him. He’s a smart player who has a great outside shot and is a great on-ball defender. He’s gotten better every year.”
Senior guard Dom Domenici, junior forward Jeremiah Gerard, and sophomore guard Thad Broughton Jr. also return. Broughton Jr. broke into the starting lineup in game No. 7 and averaged 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists last year, earning NEC All-Star honors.
“Dom is a very good outside shooter and is a key leader, having been with the program for four years,” Broughton said. “Thad became a key offensive producer for us and was our second leading scorer as a freshman. Jeremiah is a big guy, so he should really help us down low where Jimmy was so good last year.”
Broughton said he likes what he sees from juniors Jeremiah Agbonavbare and Brian Collins-Dixon, both of whom were on JV and called up to varsity late in the season.
“Those two kids either start or come in first off the bench,” Broughton said. “Jeremiah is going to be a huge piece for us. He can score at all three levels and also is a very good defender. Brian is a really good ball-handler and playmaker who does a little bit of everything. They’re both in the mix for point (guard), along with Mark.”
Broughton is also expecting senior Cory Dooley to be a “big force. He’s a natural leader and has a knack for getting rebounds and put-backs. I’m looking forward to seeing him play.”
Broughton said freshman forward Ian Salazar and freshman guard Cassius Senibaldi are also “in the mix for minutes.”
The Tanners scrimmaged Malden for their first test.
“We didn’t win, but it was a 10 in my book. It gave me an understanding of who mixes well and plays well together,” he said. “It was much needed to get a feel for what we need to do. Yes, it showed we have a lot to do and are still figuring out the starters and key guys off the bench, but we learned a lot.”
The Tanners have nine non-conference games on the docket, including a home-and-away series with cross-city rival Bishop Fenwick, the alma mater of Broughton’s father, Brody, a member of the Crusaders’ 1,000-point club.
“I love playing Fenwick every year,” Thad Broughton said. “It’s always one of our highlights.”
The Tanners begin Dec. 12 in Beverly. Their first home game is against Masconomet Dec. 16.
“Our schedule is very tough right out of the gate, and then we have Swampscott,” Broughton said. “Masco won the league and was a Final Four team. They’re all back, so they are loaded. Beverly and Swampscott are also very good, so we will find out right away where we stand.”
