By Russ Waterman
MaxPreps.com
Isn't it far too early in the season for Charlestown to climb the heights again? Not if you're talking about a team that became accustomed to being a champion after taking home four-straight MIAA Division 2 titles from 1999-2003, then another in 2005.
Just past the midway point of the season - its second in Division 1 - the undefeated Townies (11-0) have soared into the Bay State hoop stratosphere and are ranked No. 1 in eastern Massachusetts by the Boston Globe. That is already a long way from last season, when they didn't even qualify for the city playoffs and finished with a modest 14-8 record , though they did advance to the third round of the playoffs before losing to Lowell (also currently undefeated).
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Charlestown went across state lines on Jan. 20 to defeat La Salle Academy, Rhode Island's 20th-ranked squad, in Providence.
It took a while for the visitors to assert themselves at LaSalle. Trailing 19-9 in the early going, Charlestown went on to outscore and overwhelm the Rams, 82-39, the rest of the way for a convincing 91-58 victory. Ravon Dunbar and David Riley scored 24 points apiece in the victory.
The Boston City League Northern Division squad dismantled La Salle the same way it did in toppling East Boston, 84-46, and in overcoming defending Division 1 state champion Boston College High, 62-50, to break the Eagles' 27-game win streak.
"We like to apply full-court pressure and move the ball on offense," Charlestown coach Stephen Cassidy said.
And that they did against La Salle in the second half by creating a flurry of turnovers, rushed shots and a fast-break transition attack that had the Rams reeling.
Cassidy is reluctant to compare these teams with any past Charlestown teams except to say his current team is "smaller and quicker." Defense is the key. And no team thus far has been able to deal with this all-out defensive assault and effective transition game that often results in quick scores via pinpoint passing.
And there are many other good reasons why teams often have blinked in the face of relentless pressure. With only Riley and Shabazz Napier having much experience, it's difficult to highlight any one player, since Cassidy believes in frequent substitutions.
"There's not a big drop off in the 10 to 12 kids we carry," Cassidy said. "You want to play them to keep them interested and motivated."
So that means Jeff Hall, Greg Hackett, Tarell Burns, Jonathan Turner, Charlie Haymon, Jamel Williamson and Tae'jahn Taylor have also seen considerable minutes.
"Shabazz sees the floor well and has worked hard on his handle and shooting," says Cassidy of his 5-10, 150-pound point guard, a master distributor and improved shooter from long range.
Dunbar, a senior who was also the Townies' quarterback, had a break-out game with his 24 points, including several baskets underneath against much taller players.
"He is an exceptional athlete with great potential and loves the competition. He has long arms and is a great rebounder."
Jonathan Turner, another football player, doesn't play a conventional position either.
"He's a 5-10 power forward and I sometimes use him as a back-up point guard," Cassidy said. "He has good post moves and he loves to box out."
Riley, a 6-5 senior center, "can play the 4 position at the next (college) level," Cassidy said. "He has good range on his shot can clean up the boards and can shake things up a little bit."
If Riley and a few other teammates can advance to college next year, they would continue in the tradition of the excellent track record Charlestown has had in placing players in college. Among some of Charlestown's former players, Cassidy points out, Lance Greene is currently playing at Western Texas College, a Division I junior college, while Derrick Bowman is poised to play for NCAA Division III UMass-Dartmouth next season.
As for this season, Cassidy is not about to predict a run similar to previous Townie teams, given the upgrade in competition.
"Teams in Division 1 have more depth," he states, adding that on his squad "a lot of them are young and still have a lot to learn."
But if it's all about respect, Charlestown has already earned that this season and even casual observers and fans must put the Townies among a handful of teams that could make a serious run at the Massachusetts state title in March.
Russ Waterman covers Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the New England Preps for MaxPreps.com. He may be reached at rwathoop3@aol.com.