With a final score of 76-48, The MHS Boys Basketball team took a win over Danvers on Senior Night.
Although the first two points were by Danvers, Senior Thomas Redwood was able to make both free throws bringing the score to 2-2 with just seven minutes and ten seconds left of the first quarter. Similarly, Senior Captain Fern Berard also got fouled and made two of his free throws, bringing the score to 4-4.
Redwood managed to make a layup with five minutes still remaining of the first quarter. Shortly after, Berard made a three pointer that resulted in Malden having a lead of five points. Senior Captain Malik Bissett made a layup. Momentarily, Senior Tyler Holness made a layup with an assist from Bissett with three minutes and ten seconds left of the first quarter, making the score 18-9.
At the beginning of second quarter, the score was now 22-14 after senior Holness made a layup after Berard making a pass full court. Redwood then made two free throws bringing the score to 30-20. Junior Mozell Johniken made a three pointer at the buzzer leading into third quarter which made the score 42-23 causing the biggest lead this far of the game.
Redwood described his experience playing for MHS to be a great one despite previously playing for Everett prior to transferring. He continued to explain that “coming onto a new team with a new environment while being up to play and get the best out of the opportunities given is really great.”
Similarly, Bissett also agreed that there were many opportunities in which other people might not get to experience it in the same circumstances making him feel “blessed [to able to] play with [his] teammates.”
Berard added that playing throughout all four years of high school has been “a great experience in which [he has] learned a lot.” He continued to describe Senior Night being a “blast because [he] enjoyed playing in front of a big crowd of all [his] supporters and family making it feel special.”
Bissett recounted that he is appreciated on the team despite everyone having different roles. He stated, “[his teammates] still appreciate [each other] for what [they] do on the court and off the court.”
Redwood believes that having younger teammates and family members honoring along with supporting the seniors was another way to pay tribute and respect while taking into consideration that of the future. He said that “[the younger teammates are] going to be in [their] shoes next year or the year after that.”
In addition to this, Berard added that he aspired to play this game as if it were his last one. He stated, that [he] needed to play every game like it was [his] last and just ball out.” He described how he feels “old” because he is now a senior. He reminisced when he would be the one clapping for older teammates as they graduate and now says, “now [it is him].”
Bissett recalled when he first came here from last year and meeting guys like Berard as well as the head coach and being able to play with a division one basketball team.
As the team begins to end their regular season, the seniors prepare themselves to end their last basketball season of their high school career.
