Medford High boys basketball team rebounds from slow start

It certainly wasn’t the kind of start Anthony Tortora envisioned.

But after enduring a 0-3 start, the Medford High boys basketball coach is staring to see signs of life from his squad.

Fresh off arguably its biggest win of the season, a 63-36 victory over arch-rivals Malden on Tuesday, the Mustangs (3-4) appear to be turning the corner. Winners of three of their last four, the club on the rebound.

“This team is very battle-tested,” said Tortora, acknowledging the slow start. “I think our team had every opportunity to be down on themselves, but they’ve actually grown closer as a team and is in the middle of battling out of an early hole.”

After a bumpy 6-14 run last season, the third-year head coach and his squad appeared determined to take the next step in the parquet progression. But it will take nothing less than a full team effort to accomplish their mission.

Leading the way for the Mustangs this season are senior co-captains Tyler Coffill and Renzo Polcaro. Both guards have been instrumental in the team’s recent resurgence. A senior point guard, Coffill is Medford’s leading scorer. His skills were on full display netting a career-high 30 points in a 61-56 loss to Chelsea, Jan. 8.

“Ty has started since the beginning of his sophomore year,” said Tortora. “He has grown into a great leader and really controls and organizes our offense.”

A senior guard, Polcaro has provided plenty of grit in the tough areas.

“Zo brings toughness to our defense at the guard position,” said Tortora. “He’s a catalyst for our energy as a team.”

The co-captains have been complimented by the stellar play of Adler Honore. A junior guard, Honore has been among the top scorers on the team. His pinpoint accuracy makes him a key factor at all three levels, from mid-range and the interior to three-point land.

“Tyler and Adler have been a dynamic 1-2 punch at the guard position,” said Tortora. “They’re really leading the way for us and the team really rally behind those two. They’ve grown as young men and basketball players since the start of the season.”

The trio are backed by a pair of veterans in juniors James Norton and James Atwell. A swing man capable of playing both forward and guard, Norton stepped up in Tuesday’s win  against Malden, netting 13 points in the blowout.   

“James has been a cornerstone on the defensive end for us,” said Tortora. “He’s often undersized in his matchups but always delivers.

A forward, Atwell has also been a consistent presence.

“He’s smart, fundamentally sound and comfortable in every role,” the coach added.

Senior Shawn Eisnor has been among the team’s biggest surprises. The guard walked onto the varsity team, working his way into the starting lineup with effortless easy and energy.  

“He has been our most consistent player all year,” said Tortora. “He’s a spark plug on the court. When our team needs a big play, its usually coming from Shawn.”

Fellow seniors Christman Theme and Ben Tuco have also made significant strides. A forward, Theme has been a two-way force under the boards. He recently earned a double-double posting a career high 18 points and 11 rebounds in a 74-67 win against Lynn English, Jan. 3.

A 6-foot-6 center Tuco has also loomed large under the glass.

“Ben adds a dimension defensively that we haven’t had in a while,” said Tortora. “He is also a threat from three-point range. He’s a very versatile offense player.”

With that kind of talent on board, this is a team on the move.

Medford hits the road for another Greater Boston League showdown against Everett on Thursday. They’ll take on Somerville on Sunday,  on the campus of Tufts University for the fourth annual Tufts Classic, Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m.

“I’ve always have had high expectations for this group,” said Tortora. “I see how hard they work day in and day out. We were very inconsistent with our play at the beginning of the year. Consistency comes with time, as long as we continue to get better every day I believe we are a tough game for anyone that lines up against us.”

Medford High boys basketball schedule

Date     Opponent Score/time

12/12  @ Andover 80-58 L

12/18  Vs. Lynn Classical 68-60 L

12/22  @ Revere 53-50 L

12/30  @ Boston Latin 52-48 W

1/3        Vs. Lynn English 74-67 W

1/8        @ Chelsea 61-56 L

1/13      Vs. Malden 63-36 W   

1/15     @ Everett 7 p.m.

1/18`Vs. Somerville @ Tufts Classic  1:30 p.m.

1/20     @ Lynn English 7 p.m.

1/22     @ Lynn Classical 7 p.m.

1/27     Vs. Revere 6 p.m.

1/29     Vs. Somerville 6 p.m.

2/1        Vs. Boston Latin 1 p.m.

2/3        Vs. Chelsea 6 p.m.

2/5        @ Malden 6 p.m.

2/10     vs. Everett 6 p.m.

2/15     TBA

2/18      TBA 12 noon

2/18     Vs. Lowell Catholic TBA