The 2022-’23 campaign for the Valley Regional boys’ basketball team may not have gotten out to the ideal start its coaches and players envisioned. Yet the Warriors know all too well that they house a championship pedigree to right the ship as the calendar turns to 2023, towards postseason waters.

Last winter, Head Coach Kevin Woods and the Warriors made a pair of playoff appearances via qualifying for both the Shoreline Conference Tournament and the bracket of the Division IV State Tournament. Valley Regional finished with an 11-12 record overall as the No. 16 seed for the latter tourney. In the states draw, Valley posted a 56-43 home win over 17th-seeded Nonnewaug in the first round of the Division IV tourney. Three days later, the Warriors hit the road to take on No. 1 seed Cromwell for a second-round contest, and lost to the Panthers by a 54-43 score.

Thus far, the Warriors have played to a record of 2-5 while opening up the year against top-notch foes both in and out of the Shoreline Conference. Yet this past week, Valley began to turn its fortunes around in emerging from the holiday break with a 49-42 victory over Haddam-Killingworth at home on Jan. 3.

Woods is certainly not mincing any words when it comes to what his squad has been through, though he is certainly optimistic with regards to the road ahead.

“Things aren’t easy. It is a challenge at times to find the right formula,” said Woods. “On a daily basis, we are working on everything–from schematics to tempo. We know we have a good opportunity in front of us. We know that once we get rolling, we can win a bunch of games in a row.”

Valley vaults into the year with a four-pronged senior captain’s helm, with each of them holding great athleticism across multiple terrains on campus. Forward Sam Hutchinson is a three-sport athlete, also competing on the soccer pitch and baseball diamond. Guards Andrew Yermenson and DiAngelo Jean-Pierre are following up a state final run from the gridiron in 2022, and forward Brayden Shea plays baseball in addition to moving on the hardwood.

“Sam is a great guy for the other guys to look at. He is an excellent throwback player to what high school should be about. He is our top scorer and a force on the floor. He is intense and a big presence,” said Coach Woods. “Andrew has worked hard to develop his game to get to the varsity level. He gives us a perimeter threat, handles the ball well, and leads by example. Brayden is a picture of what you want your leader to be and how you want them to act. He is so well-rounded. He hustles and makes the extra pass, and he’s a team-first guy. DiAngelo has a history here with his family and last name, and he’s at the forefront of it now. He is kind of our rock with handling the ball and tempo of a game. He is a vocal leader and a tough kid who wants to win.”

Forwards Kevin King and Michael Kollmer add to an already star-studded senior class for the Warriors. King has fought his way into a starting slot this winter, plus Kollmer is a newcomer to the program who has already made major strides.

“Kevin has come into a starting role this year from being a role player last year. He fought through injury and illness last year, and he is a talented kid with good size who has a decent jumper from the perimeter,” Coach Woods said. “Michael is a great athlete and soccer player. He has no bad habits. He will always do what you ask him to do. I enjoy coaching him, and he will continue to get better.”

Within the junior class, Valley deploys a terrific trio in guards Connor Quinn, Max Nickel, and forward Jack Driscoll. Each of the three have already produced proud moments for Woods and the Warriors.

“Connor and Max have stepped up and given us big minutes and great shots,” Woods said. “Connor has developed his game to play on the wing; he can shoot and pass really well. Max will come on stronger. He has a large presence and is a hustler. He can shoot and plays hard on defense. He also brings mental toughness. Jack sets screens and rebounds for us. He is a great kid on and off the court.”

No matter what the standings may say now, Woods maintained that there is a path to the postseason. Backed by a great depth of veterans, the Warriors know now is the time to act and drum up momentum for some midseason magic.

“We want to be tournament bound and finish near the top of the conference. We have had no easy outs in our schedule so far,” said Woods. “We had a non-conference game where we were short-handed with limited guard play. But they have battled with no complaints or excuses. We need to win now. We are a senior-laden team, so it is a pivotal year to do well and set the tone for the future of the program. We have to get over the hump here. I will take all the accountability for our record, but we can make a big push here.”

The complete Valley Regional program’s roster is made up of seniors of Jean-Pierre, Yermenson, Shea, Hutchinson, King, Kollmer; juniors of Driscoll, Quinn, Nickel, Mason Brooks, Dylan Brown, Stephen Courcy, Paul Giantonio, Kendrick Aspilaire Larabee, Owen Livingston, Michael Perham, Liam Welch; sophomores of Jared Brower, Rex Grabowski, Braden Karcich, Alex Kruzel-Boxwell, Michael Lelyo, Nathan Rowland, Thomas Troy; and freshmen with Rason Cobbs, Noah Dolinsky, Mason Fearon, John Finn Heiser, Chase King, Logan Prue, Alan Rivera, Tesering Samphel, Cody Saunders, Michael Spencer, and Rowan Wyrebek-Brasky.

Woods is in his 14th year at the helm for the Warriors, and he is assisted by JV coach Brad Pitman and freshman coach/assistant head coach Lou Rolon.