BROCKTON, Mass. ---- Sitting at 2-5 entering last week, with one of the wins coming on a forfeit, things were looking bleak for the Massasoit men's basketball team.
But, 13th year head coach Jim Stapleton rallied the team last week, as the Warriors went 3-0 to even its record at 5-5 on the season.
The Warriors started off the week with a win against divisional rival CCRI, before topping Bristol CC on the road and Quinsigamond CC at home.
One of the big keys to the recent success, beyond everyone getting healthy, is the team's play on offense.
Prior to last week, Massasoit was averaging 67.8 points per game and was held under 60 points twice.
In the three recent games, the Warriors have been both efficient and effective on offense, scoring 82 ppg. Leading to all those points has been excellent shooting, as the team shot 51.3 percent overall and 44.7 percent from downtown in the three wins.
Trey Jones (Mattapan) has emerged as one of the top scoring threats in Region XXI. The 5-foot-9 shooting guard averaged 27.7 points per game last week and moved into fifth in scoring nationally (23.9 ppg).
Forward Leland Jackson (Brockton) has also come along strong for the Warriors. In his first year at Massasoit, Jackson is averaging 16.6 ppg and scored a career-best 28 against Quinsigamond.
Also averaging in double figures is post player Jahleel Moise (Brockton). Moise nearly records a triple-double per night, posting 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 8.8 blocks.
The unsung hero for the Warriors is point guard William Baker. An outstanding defender, Baker swiped a career-high 13 steals against Quinsigamond and averages 3.1 thefts per game. He is also dishing out 4.6 assists and netting 6.6 points per game.
Massasoit closes out the first semester on Thursday with a road game at MassBay CC set for 7 p.m.
