Two teams in Hampshire County had to spend an entire offseason thinking about the agony of a loss in the sectional final last season.
In Division 1, Amherst Regional lost to Putnam. It was the second straight finals loss to the Beavers for the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes move forward this season with the return of brothers Meikell Murray and Meikyle Murray.
“I like what I have seen so far,” Amherst coach Jim Matuszko said. “We have a lot of seniors.”
Meikyle is Amherst’s point guard, while Meikell plays shooting guard. Both are extremely athletic.
Couple their athleticism with incredible ballhandling skills and the ability to finish at the rim, and the Hurricanes have two players who could give opposing defenses nightmares.
Amherst is glad to have Meikyle Murray back. He missed most of last season with an injury.
“He’s all set this year,” Matuszko said. “He’s really anxious to get out on the court.”
With another dynamic point guard in Tajahn Joyner, the Hurricanes have versatility in their backcourt that not many teams can match.
Seth Bella-Hunter, Amherst’s 6-foot-7 big man, is poised for a strong senior season down low — playing a big role scoring around the basket and preventing the same offense on defense.
John Bella-Hunter, Seth’s twin brother, left Amherst to play at the MacDuffie School in Granby.
Will Budington rounds out Amherst’s starting five with solid perimeter shooting. Budington should get a lot of looks from the outside for the Hurricanes.
EASTHAMPTON — The Eagles endured a 54-51 loss to Hoosac Valley in the Division 3 sectional final last year, and the Eagles are ready for a return trip — with hopefully a different ending.
The formula will be the same for Easthampton. The Eagles will play their intense ball-hawking defense in an effort to create easy transition baskets.
In the halfcourt, they’ll rely on Zach Crisafulli if their motion offense breaks down. Crisafulli has become a multifaceted scorer: His shot is there, and he can get to the rim.
“Zach Crisafulli has taken a huge leap forward,” Easthampton coach Brian Miller said. “He has become a dominant force inside.”
How Crisafulli attacks a defense will depend on how he is guarded.
“If he’s guarded by a big he’ll go by him,” Miller said. “If he has a small on him he’ll dive into the paint. If they back up, he’ll shoot.”
Ish Akanour will have an increased role on offense with a very quick first step that allows him to get in the paint.
Sopie Pek has a broken bone in his foot and will likely miss only the first two weeks of the season.
Pek, along with Akanour, will be tasked with smothering opposing ballhandlers to create the turnovers that fuel the Eagles’ offense.
The Eagles acquired some sharp-shooting from the Berkshires in Ant Moynihan, who transfered from Wahconah. Johnny Bara also provides floor-spacing with a solid outside shot.
Bara had a boot on his foot during the first week of the season, but it is not considered a long-term issue.
NORTHAMPTON — The Blue Devils collection of talent has coach Rey Harp “cautiously optimistic.”
Watch for the emergence of sophomore Michael McCarthy, who will be the team’s sixth man.
McCarthy has good low-post moves and a soft jumper.
Henry Attias and Henry Doherty’s ability to penetrate defenses will open things up on offense for the Blue Devils.
Northampton has two big men in Andy Grygorcewicz and Will O’Connor who can bang in the paint and stretch the floor with good outside shots.
“We have shooters this year,” Harp said. “We are going to attack.”
Elijah Davis is coming off a record-breaking football season running the ball and is a little banged up to start the season. But Davis can get to the rim for Northampton when healthy.
Sophomore Nick Heafey is another player who could “make a huge jump this season,” according to Harp.
Kieran Thurston and Diego Corrada-Mattei have scoring ability off the bench for Northampton.
