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Subscribe to our NewsletterOctober 12, 2012
Malden, MA: Entering his 3rd year as a starter on the Malden High School Boys' varsity basketball team, senior captain Rodney Morton knows there will be few suprises when camp opens in a little over a month.
"Coach will run us, run us and run us some more." Morton says with a bit of a chuckle. "Coach Nally likes to get us conditioned first and worry about the x's and o's after camp breaks."
Even when it comes to x's and o's, Morton has been around long enough to know that while his team will be prepared, there is more to winning in the grueling GBL than just game preparation.
"In our league, with only the four other teams, we all know each other very well. There are very few surprises when we play each other. It mostly comes down to will and heart. This year, I really think it is our turn, with the players we have, to step up and take the league"
Morton's confidence will be imperative for the Tornadoes to wrestle away their first boys' basketball GBL title since way back in 1989, before anyone on the team was even born. Morton, who finished second on the team in scoring, assists and steals last year, will have plenty of help in the upcoming campaign. The 2011-12 leading scorer, senior Terrance Maissoneuve, leading rebounder, sophomore Anthony Gilardi, and field goal percentage leader, senior Jason Surpris, all return along with junior forward Bryan Mitchell, senior forward and co-captain Tommy Steele and senior guard Wily Metellus. It is the most returning experience Malden has had since the 2008-09 team that finished the season at 17-3.
"We have a ton of talent coming back and a ton of experience. But it won't mean anything if we don't put it to good use and come out ready to play this year, which I know we will." Morton said with confidence.
If Morton's predictions come true, it will be a stellar season in Malden. Perhaps even a championship season.
Here is how Morton stacks up on the career list during the Don Nally coaching era (2004-Present):
PPG: Minimum 30 gms played
Sherard Robbins (04-06): 14.7
Steve Siuda (06-09): 11.4
Egi Gjikondi (07-09): 11.4
Steve Verdi (04-06): 11.3
RODNEY MORTON (10-Present): 10.0
Total Points:
Siuda - 731pts
Robbins - 663pts
Marcus Armstrong (06-09)-608pts
Travis Nally (06-09)- 488pts
Verdi - 486pts
MORTON - 452pts
Steals:
Nathan Freni (07-10) - 90
Armstrong - 88
Teddy Francois (09-11) - 83
Siuda - 75
Jonathan Elivert (04-07) - 64
MORTON - 63
"Coach will run us, run us and run us some more." Morton says with a bit of a chuckle. "Coach Nally likes to get us conditioned first and worry about the x's and o's after camp breaks."
Even when it comes to x's and o's, Morton has been around long enough to know that while his team will be prepared, there is more to winning in the grueling GBL than just game preparation.
"In our league, with only the four other teams, we all know each other very well. There are very few surprises when we play each other. It mostly comes down to will and heart. This year, I really think it is our turn, with the players we have, to step up and take the league"
Morton's confidence will be imperative for the Tornadoes to wrestle away their first boys' basketball GBL title since way back in 1989, before anyone on the team was even born. Morton, who finished second on the team in scoring, assists and steals last year, will have plenty of help in the upcoming campaign. The 2011-12 leading scorer, senior Terrance Maissoneuve, leading rebounder, sophomore Anthony Gilardi, and field goal percentage leader, senior Jason Surpris, all return along with junior forward Bryan Mitchell, senior forward and co-captain Tommy Steele and senior guard Wily Metellus. It is the most returning experience Malden has had since the 2008-09 team that finished the season at 17-3.
"We have a ton of talent coming back and a ton of experience. But it won't mean anything if we don't put it to good use and come out ready to play this year, which I know we will." Morton said with confidence.
If Morton's predictions come true, it will be a stellar season in Malden. Perhaps even a championship season.
Here is how Morton stacks up on the career list during the Don Nally coaching era (2004-Present):
PPG: Minimum 30 gms played
Sherard Robbins (04-06): 14.7
Steve Siuda (06-09): 11.4
Egi Gjikondi (07-09): 11.4
Steve Verdi (04-06): 11.3
RODNEY MORTON (10-Present): 10.0
Total Points:
Siuda - 731pts
Robbins - 663pts
Marcus Armstrong (06-09)-608pts
Travis Nally (06-09)- 488pts
Verdi - 486pts
MORTON - 452pts
Steals:
Nathan Freni (07-10) - 90
Armstrong - 88
Teddy Francois (09-11) - 83
Siuda - 75
Jonathan Elivert (04-07) - 64
MORTON - 63
