Woumn, transfers lead the way
By Jason Mastrodonato | February 7, 2010
By the time a Lynn English foe takes a shot, watches the ball carom off the rim, and turns to run back and play defense, there’s a good chance Ryan Woumn is already soaring in for a layup.
“Transition baskets – that’s our game,’’ said English head coach Buzzy Barton. “We want to push the basketball, that’s what we do, and right now we’re doing it well.’’
The speedy Woumn has been the go-to man in transition this season; he scored a majority of his 29 points against Beverly by sprinting the other way on a possession change. And he did all of his damage in just three-quarters of play in an 86-56 victory.
“Coach wants us to push it,’’ said the 6-foot-3 senior guard. “Once we trap and get the steals, we just get it and push the ball up.’’
Last year’s MVP of the Northeastern Conference, Woumn is also a nominee to be named to the McDonald’s All-American team later this month.
“I’ve had Ryan since his freshman year,’’ said Barton, who owns a 74-10 record as the varsity head coach. “So I’ve watched him really grow. The bigger the game, the bigger Ryan played. He’s a special kid.’’
The Bulldogs graduated six rotation players from last year’s Division 1 state finalist that lost to St. John’s of Shrewsbury in the championship game. There have been plenty of challenges, but the disappointing ending left Woumn with added incentive.
“It’s definitely a good team,’’ Barton said, comparing this year’s squad with last year’s. “We have a long way to go after last season. We use that as motivation. Last year’s ending put a bad taste in Ryan’s mouth.’’
Building talent and depth around Woumn, English added four transfers in the off-season: 6-foot-5 Jarell Byrd (Lynn Classical), 6-2 Howard Holman (Lynn Tech), 6-6 Jordan Rogers (Brookline), and 6-5 Miguel Martinez-Rodriguez from the Dominican Republic. All are key players for a Bulldog squad that was 14-0 after Tuesday’s win over Beverly.
“Jarell is playing great defense,’’ said Barton. “The kid just has a lot of talent . . . Jordan is starting to really come around and he’s playing really good basketball. Miguel plays hard and does a great job. The [transition] seems to be going well.’’
With a new look to the team, the Bulldogs have made adjustments, using quickness and speed to force turnovers and create easy baskets. English tallied 18 steals against Beverly.
“It’s a different style of play but we still try to play our up-tempo basketball game,’’ Barton said. “Last year we were a tougher team but this year we have more basketball players. We use our speed well.’’
The Bulldogs lead the Northeastern Conference in scoring (77.3 points per game), but Barton acknowledged that sometimes the games have become one-man efforts rather than a display of teamwork.
“We’re trying to come together as a team instead of individual play,’’ Barton said. “And every now and then it happens where you’ll see the individualism come out. But we’re trying to keep it about the team.’’
With seven seniors on the 12-man roster, Barton and the Bulldogs are setting their goals high, playing one game at a time, but targeting a state championship at season’s end.
Woumn is still undecided where he’ll play in the fall. He remains hopeful of a Division 1 scholarship, though he hasn’t ruled out going to prep school.
Woumn’s dad, David, has been his biggest role model throughout his basketball career and hasn’t missed one of his son’s games. Through all of his success, Woumn has become a target of opposing fans, and heckling is not uncommon. But his father is happy to take the good with the bad.
“It’s part of the game,’’ David Woumn said. “They’re just fans of the game rooting for their team. It’s all part of the sport. It happens everywhere you go; college, pros, it’s just something you have to overcome.’’
Andover High girls have edge on rival
The Andover High girls’ basketball team has gotten the best of Merrimack Valley division rival Central Catholic in the 2009-2010 regular season.
After defeating the Raiders 60-54 behind sophomore guard Nicole Boudreau’s 25 points, including six three-pointers, Andover won its second game in three tries against Central this season.
“It’s a great rivalry,’’ said Andover coach Jim Tildsley. “They are a very, very good team and when we play each other the games are just electric.
“Our speed – it’s the only way we can beat them. They are still a quick team but it’s our job to be a little quicker and wear them down by the fourth quarter.’’
Behind Boudreau (21 points per game) and her fellow guard, junior Natalie Gomez-Martinez (nearly 14 per game), the Warriors lead the league in scoring, averaging 64 points per contest.
On a healthy knee, Sutherby is back
After missing all of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament tear, senior point guard Stephanie Sutherby has come back strong for the Ipswich girls’ basketball team.
Although she was sidelined, Sutherby attended every practice and game last year. Now fully healthy, she is averaging eight steals and more than six assists per game and has been a defensive force for the Tigers
“Her knee has been great,’’ said head coach Amanda Zegarowski. “And she has stepped in and is such a great leader with so much energy. She’s so quick it’s unbelievable. She plays the whole game.’’
Junior forward Hannah O’Flynn, a Cape Ann League All-Star, is leading the league, averaging 21 points per game for Ipswich (14-1).
Jason Mastrodonato can be reached at jmastrodonato@globe.com
