The Old Saybrook boys’ basketball squad posted another strong campaign this winter by finishing with an overall record of 16-8 that included victories in both the Shoreline Conference Tournament and the Division V State Tournament. The Rams rattled off a nine-game win streak early in the year, and they also saw junior combo guard Shane Henderson score his 1,000th career point.

With the departure of point guard Connel Henderson, Old Saybrook had large shoes to fill coming off a 15-9 season last year. Head Coach Patrick Quinn believed that his team exceeded most people’s expectations, because his athletes really stepped up and made life easy for him as a coach.

“We had a great season and certainly overachieved in the eyes of many,” said Quinn. “It’s funny. These kids top to bottom are at their best in other sports. It should have been tough for them to become a basketball team, but they made it easy. And they made it easy on me as a coach.”

Henderson, an All-Shoreline Conference First Team guard, had a heavy hand in the Rams’ success this season. Henderson averaged just less than 25 points per game to go with 4.8 assists and 3.1 steals per game on the year. He also recorded his 1,000th career point in a huge 60-59 overtime victory against North Branford in the Shoreline quarterfinals on Feb. 24. Coach Quinn said that Henderson’s speed and competitive nature make him a top guard in the conference.

“Shane was a point scorer. He led the Shoreline in points per game by about three. He was the fastest kid in the league, easy,” Quinn said. “He was the most competitive guy on the floor as a junior. You’d think he was a senior the way he played. Next year, he’ll probably be the premier combo guard in the Shoreline.”

The Rams’ win versus North Branford in the conference quarterfinals was their signature victory of the season, according to Coach Quinn. It was a hard-fought win on the road against a squad that had routed Old Saybrook earlier in the season.

“We had foul trouble early with our key players. Shane got his 1,000, but had to leave the game due to injury. The kids pulled together in overtime,” said Quinn, whose team also defeated Windsor Locks in the second round of the Division V State Tournament this year. “That was one of the best wins as a coach that I’ve ever had. It was on the road which made it even better.”

Also looming large for the Rams was senior captain forward Victor Pascoe, who played tough in the paint on his way to earning All-Shoreline Conference Second Team honors. Pascoe led Old Saybrook in rebounding with 10.8 boards per game to go with one block per game, as well. The Rams played with an undersized lineup this year, but Coach Quinn said that wasn’t a problem with Pascoe on the floor.

“He transitioned from football, which ended two days before we started practice. He became a basketball player right away,” Quinn said. “He took a football mentality onto the basketball court, and it helped us tremendously. We were small, and he plays like he’s 6 foot-7.”

Senior captain forward Keaton Roarick proved another rugged player for Old Saybrook. Roarick also averaged one block per game, while working relentlessly to stop opposing offenses.

“He takes pride in defense and works his tail off. He’s going to Bentley to be their lacrosse goalie. You can tell just by that his toughness,” said Quinn. “He spent a lot of time in the weight room over the summer...He’s just a tough, hard-working kid. He just puts everything out there, and he’s a smart guy. He’s going Bentley. They don’t just let anybody in there.”

The Rams’ floor general was senior captain point guard Anthony Karg, who averaged 5.2 assists for the year. Karg took his game to another level Quinn’s point-guard-heavy offensive system and became a solid player.

“He was our sixth man last year, but in my offense, I put a lot on the point guard. I couldn’t be happier with him,” said Quinn. “With Connel Henderson leaving, he took over and was tremendous. He’s a quiet kid, but he came out of his shell, and he was one of the better players in the league.”

Senior captain forward Matt Barnes was another component to Old Saybrook’s success this year. Barnes displayed his leadership skills by rallying the Rams and getting them geared up for game time.

“You couldn’t ask for a better kid at practice or on the bus in getting the kids hyped before the game. He didn’t see a ton of minutes, but he would come in, sell out his body, and take charges,” Quinn said. “He’s a kid you can just count on. Being a soccer player, he transitioned well to the basketball court. You always want a kid like Matty Barnes.”

As for next season, Coach Quinn thinks that Old Saybrook can still give the Shoreline Conference a run for its money. Quinn said that this year’s senior captains set a great example, and he feels that the Rams can pick up right where they left off.

“The seniors were leaders on and off the court and set the bar high for our bench, who will have to step into starting roles and major minutes next season,” said Quinn. “I am confident we will have another successful season next year, and it is thanks to the returning players and their hard work and integrity they displayed this season.”

From the Sidelines

The Old Saybrook boys’ basketball team’s varsity roster included senior captains Matt Barnes, Anthony Karg, Victor Pascoe, and Keaton Roarick; juniors Kameron Baker, Enes Cecunjanin, Daniel Cote, Luciano Duffy, Shane Henderson, and Mason Wilcox; and sophomores Michael Almada and Jack Molesky.

For the regular season, the Rams finished with a record of 14-6 and tallied victories against Haddam-Killingworth (61-35), Valley Regional (62-53), Portland (68-55 and 66-54), Creed (55-50), Westbrook (55-39 and 53-27), Coginchaug (51-44 and 47-43), Hale-Ray (58-42 and 61-51), Morgan (69-52), and Amistad (62-55).

In the Shoreline Conference Tournament, the Rams scored an overtime victory in the quarterfinals by defeating North Branford (60-59) and then lost to East Hampton in the semifinals (72-61).

In the Division V State Tournament, Old Saybrook had a bye in the first round, defeated Windsor Locks (62-52) in the second round, and lost to East Hampton (75-55) in the quarterfinals.