Printer Friendly Version - Branford Boys' Hoops Building Toughness, Character in Choppy First Half

Pictured are the senior captains of the Branford boys’ basketball team in BJ Holmes, Eric Zielinski, and Nate Florio. Photo courtesy of Chris Burnham

Senior BJ Holmes, a team captain, has led the Branford boys’ basketball team through an up-and-down first half to stay in postseason contention entering February. Photo by Kenneth Marangell/The Sound

Any given game and season of high school basketball can be a metaphor for life, with many peaks and valleys. And the Branford boys’ basketball team is embracing the ebbs and going with the flow, towards becoming a better and more mentally-sound unit that will contend for postseason play.

Branford posted a 6-14 overall record for the season last winter, falling just two wins shy of the attaining postseason qualification. This year, the Hornets endured an up-and-down first half of the campaign by starting 0-3, before rattling off five victories in the ensuing seven contests to sit all even at 5-5 entering the back half of the slate.

The Hornets continued their midseason swarm by picking up critical triumphs over East Haven and Guilford last week to sit a decision away from the postseason at 7-5.

Head Coach Chris Burnham explained that while the trends of the results may seem tumultuous, the Hornets have been finding their form while sharing the stage and relishing in the work around the program–both in and out of action.

“This year's team started slow, with a nine-man rotation and all contributing and sharing limelight. This team took time to find their identity and it's starting to really come together,” said Burnham. “It's a fun group to coach and be around; practices are business-like, and still, they know how to have fun and work together. Our goals are to make it back to the state tournament, and max out our potential into results. The team is truly showing a lot of growth as individuals, and a team as a whole.”

Branford’s three captains include seniors of BJ Holmes at point guard as the squad’s leading assists producer, Eric Zielinski (an All Academic Scholar Athlete honoree from the SCC), and All-SCC and All-State football selection Nate Florio.

“I'm really enjoying watching the seniors as young men and witnessing their growth over the years, while continuing to develop the next crop. These young men fully understand it's a privilege to play on a team, and it takes sacrifice and unselfishness to reach success,” said Burnham. “BJ is growing into a leader and has the respect of his teammates. BJ suffered a major ankle injury in summer, and has battled back after surgery. He's a tough, no-nonsense young man and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Eric missed almost two years battling multiple health issues. He’s worked hard, got himself back, and I'm very proud and grateful for him. He has taken a role of guarding the best player, and he has had two games this season shooting 100% from the floor. Nate brings IQ and toughness to the team, and he leads us with 10 charges this year.”

Senior Jelani Lamotey (also an All-State player on the gridiron) is topping the team in scoring with 10 points per game, plus his classmate Emmanuel Brown has made a swift impact after transferring from Amistad to Branford as a junior.

“Jelani is really coming into his own as a senior,” said Burnham. “Another senior to note is Emmanuel. He brings maturity and good leadership to the team, and he has improved a lot since coming over last year. He is a high level academic young man and extremely hard worker.”

Within the junior ranks, Jalen Glover returns to the court after overcoming two lost campaigns due to a knee surgery. Noah Cast has been quite accurate from the charity stripe, making 90% of his free throws.

“Jalen has contributed off the bench and is proving to be a great teammate, while working hard to keep improving. He has been a big surprise,” said Burnham. “Noah was our leading scorer from last year, and has focused on becoming an all-around contributor with more players scoring. Noah has become an improved defender and rebounder.”

Two sophomore sensations for the Hornets include Joey DiMassa and Malachi Sessions. Beyond that tandem, Branford boasts quite a ton of proficient prospects within the JV and freshman tiers of the program.

“Joey is growing into a major contributor and building his all-around game. He is a very good shooter, high level ball handler, and he provides very confident and important depth to the team,” said Burnham. “Malachi is arguably the best athlete on the team. He is highly competitive, and working hard to build his all-around game while being a tone setter in practice. Behind them is a group of sophomores and freshmen in JV that really play well together and work hard, and represent this program and school with pride.”

The Hornets have Senior Night circled on their calendars, as they will host Sheehan on Friday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. Burnham expressed that there is certainly a roadway to playing in late February and early March. His belief is backed by a group of ambitious young men who have had their sights set on success prior to the first bounce of the ball, while sharpening their cerebral irons.

“I believe this team can continue the path of improving, get into postseason action, and potentially be a tough out. In midseason 1-on-1 meetings, all of them were very honest about where they are and where they want to go,” Burnham said. “Long seasons can challenge your mental toughness, and this group is handling it. Coaches enjoy coming to work with this group each day; they want to be here and want to get better. Starting 0-3, most young men these days point fingers, but this group is learning perseverance from their individual moments. Mental toughness is something we value teaching and recognizing as players and coaches. We point out MTMs [Mental Toughness Moments] as a tool to understand when they are in one to be able work through it. We are enjoying the ride, taking it one game at a time and working to be better coaches, players, teammates, and people each day.”

The 2023-2024 Branford boys’ basketball team roster is comprised of seniors Zielinski, Brown, Holmes, Florio, Sowatei-Jelani Lomotey; juniors Cast, Glover; sophomores of DiMassa, Michael Perricone, Alex LeBlanc, Grayson Mills, Shiloh Williams, Sessions, Dylan Weaver, Ryan Kavanaugh, Nicholas Casanova; plus freshmen William Taranto, Noah Penner, Anton Kydon, and Cayson Dunn.

Burnham is in his seventh year as Branford’s head coach, and brings a total of 28 seasons of coaching experience between high school and college ball. His assistants are Tom Webster (25 years coaching, all at Branford) and now five-year veteran Colin Tracy.