Bulldogs celebrate season, renew focus

By Pete Legasey

The Lynn English boys basketball team enjoyed their end-of-the season banquet last Wednesday at Community Brotherhood in Lynn. Principal Andrew M. Fila was unable to attend but Dean of Students J.J. McManus reported to have spoken with Fila and said the principal expressed pride in the team that went 18-4 and won the Northeastern Conference. However, McManus also expressed Fila’s desire for the team to bring home a state title.
 Bulldogs head coach Buzzy Barton applauded the principal’s high expectations but emphasized the importance of focusing on one goal at a time and not taking anything (specifically, a potential repeat as conference champs) for granted.
“To win [the] state [title] is a pretty tall order, but we always want expectations to be high,” Barton said Monday. “Once the season starts, you can only take it one game at a time. If you get ahead of yourself, you’re just asking for trouble.”
With 11 of the 12 players from the 2007-08 squad expected to return to the team next year, the expectations are bound to remain at a high level. The basketball program at Lynn English also features plenty of young talent who played in the JV and freshman ranks this season and are sure to compete for varsity spots next season. As a result, many returning players will have to compete to keep their places on the team.
The Bulldogs are also likely to benefit from the presence of Dio McCloud, who recently transferred to Lynn English from Everett High. McCloud was a starting guard on an Everett team that ranked among the state’s elite. His presence should go a long way towards replacing the production of Rafeal Perez, who was named the 2007-08 team’s MVP at Wednesday’s banquet and is the only player who isn’t returning to the team next season.
“[McCloud] is the kind of player who can help us fill that void,” Barton said. “I’ve seen him play, but I haven’t talked to him yet. But I hear nothing but good things about the kid on the court and as far as being a hard worker in the classroom.”
Conference titles are nice and state titles are even nicer, but, as always, the top priority for Coach Barton, Principal Fila and the rest of the administration at Lynn English remains the academic growth of their student athletes.
“It was just a good bunch kids [on this year’s team],” Barton said. “They worked hard and they practiced hard. We do study halls, we do weekly progress sheets and we didn’t have to chase the kids down to do that stuff. It’s a good group of kids, and I’m looking forward to next year.”