Young Whitman-Hanson boys basketball team has extra strength at home

WHITMAN – Home sweet home.

The Whitman-Hanson High boys basketball team has been strong in its own gym, losing only once in eight games this winter. The Panthers make it difficult for any team to come in here and play well.

"We always get a big crowd," said Whitman-Hanson coach Bob Rodgers. "The students always come out and support us. They’ve been playing on this floor since they were little kids. They’re comfortable."

Friday night was no different as the Panthers (11-7, 10-5) packed up Marshfield, 69-51, to pull into a first-place tie with the Rams in the Patriot League Keenan Division. The student section was rocking with every basket, and signs hung up around the gym.

W-H freshman Isaiah Bean-Brittian had a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, to go along with 4 blocks. Bean-Brittian is young, but he’s been coming on of late for the Panthers in a case of perfect timing right before the playoffs. He credited his captains for the constant motivation.

"Sometimes I get in my head a lot," said Brittian. "But senior Drew Daley (5 points) always helps me out to keep my head up. Love that guy. Cam (Burrows), too, one of my favorites."

Another young duo is sophomore Ryan Baker (8 points) and freshman Caleb Baker, who was called up from JV. Both brothers never second-guess themselves when it comes to letting it fly from behind the arc. That's a confidence that can’t be taught.

"They’re both basketball junkies," said Rodgers. "They’re really tough competitors and both shoot the ball really well and are great scorers."

However, with such a young team comes rough patches. Not having the tools to constantly win on the road – they are 4-6 there – has hindered the Panthers from excelling. Whitman-Hanson was No. 22 in the MIAA Division 2 power rankings that came out Friday morning. Rodgers' team most likely will have to hit the road come playoff time, but Rodgers knows that the postseason can be unpredictable.

"Truthfully, I know it’s cliched but it’s really just the game we have in front of us," Rodgers said of his focus. “I’ve been doing this long enough to know you can lose at home as easy you can lose on the road. Tonight was great because we finally clinched the playoff spot. I was a little worried. We know we have a tough stretch to end the season."

With the postseason now a lock, the Panthers are still fighting for a goal they set out before the first tip-off – a Keenan Division title.

"Now we’re in the league hunt," said Rodgers. "We’re tied for first place with one game to go. That’s been a goal for the kids from the beginning – to get up on the banner with the teams that won titles."

Even away from the friendly confines of home, the Panthers could be a worst-case scenario for playoff opponents since they boast an array of outside shooters. Each game can be any guy's night to get hot.

"My buddy Evan Yakavonis hit three big 3s for us in the first," said Daley. "(He) had a 11 points at the end of the game, helped us out a lot."

Burrows chipped in with 10 points for W-H, and Cole Champignie added 8 points.

As the Panthers continue to fight for a Patriot League title, they’ll continue to work. Because whether it’s at home or miles away, they’ll drop buckets.

"I think we got to worry about ourselves mainly," said Ryan Baker. "Doesn’t matter our opponent, it’s all about us."

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Whitman-Hanson boys basketball topples Marshfield at home