GRANBY – Easthampton’s captains set an ambitious goal for the 2022-23 season that had nothing to do with wins or trophies.

Seniors Matt Bacis, Sameer Hanafi and Mateo Navarro wanted to change the perception of their program in the school and community. They perceived a defeatist mentality last season, winning just three games. If a game didn’t go their way, no one rose to the occasion.

“Were they the kids who would be willing to suffer, get back up and keep fighting for each other?” Easthampton coach Nick Whitney said. “Or would they lay down after being knocked around?”

The Eagles trailed Baystate Academy by eight at halftime Dec. 23. Navarro appealed to his team’s character. Who are they? Fighters. Easthampton held Baystate to 14 points in the second half and rallied for an 11-point win.

The Eagles know who they are. Easthampton’s nine seniors have known each other all their lives, playing together at the Suburban level, on junior varsity and finally varsity last season.

“It starts back in like seventh and eighth grade,” Navarro said. “We all just work well together because in school we're friends and on the court and practice we're always prioritizing having fun and at the same time working hard.”

Easthampton (4-2) has won three of its past four games after a 65-49 victory at Granby on Thursday. The Eagles have already surpassed last year’s win total. Their long-forged connections persist on the court. Each player knows where his teammates are and what they want to do.

“With the chemistry that we have, it's really easy to play that way,” Hanafi said. “We all feel comfortable with each other, and it just kind of translates.”

Sometimes too comfortable. Occasionally Easthampton might pass too much trying to set up a friend rather than capitalize on the opportunity created for them. 

“It's a good problem to have, people passing it too much rather than not passing it enough, right?” Navarro said. “This year, we're always just looking for the best shot.”

It helps when everyone knows their role. Navarro initiates the offense and attacks the paint. Hanafi spots up for kick out 3s. He’s hit 14 so far. Shea Healy, the Eagles quarterback in the fall, can whip challenging passes through difficult angles. Bacis provides a defensive anchor despite often giving up size inside.

He fouled out against the Rams guarding their bigs Carter White and Robert L’Abbee. His sacrifice allowed sophomore Jabari Sifrin to patrol the paint and clog up the lane. Bacis cheered from the bench and kept his teammates’ spirits high when they sat, especially after mistakes.

“He put his nose in there because of his willingness to suffer,” Whitney said.

He was willing to do it because of the rest of the roster. Many of them won a soccer state championship in 2021. Even more lost in the Round of 16 this fall.

They see each other every day in school, friends no matter what the scoreboard reads.

“If you're not willing to sacrifice for a friend, who are you really going to sacrifice and suffer with?” Whitney said.

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