McMahons Underclassmen: "We got Next!"

By: Brendan Duddy
Pridetime Reporter

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​In Brien McMahon’s fall to Norwalk High in the annual rivalry basketball game on February 6th, fans from both schools were given a glimpse into the future of sports at McMahon as junior center/forward, Saikwon Williams posted an impressive stat line of 27 points to pair with pulling down 20 rebounds. 

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McMahon, at this point, has had a disappointing season after disappointing season of teams performing poorly.  While there are some exceptions to this, for the majority of teams at McMahon, students have become upset with the lack of performance and stop showing up to support their peers which leads to the belief that Senator pride is lost. 

“Yeah, I stopped going to the football games, for the most part, I didn’t have much faith we’d win and I for sure didn’t want to sit in the freezing cold just to see us get blown out like we did on most nights,” Marcus Blair (‘19) said. 

What many don't know is what the future for Mcmahon sports has to come.  Many of McMahon’s junior varsity teams have found themselves with not only a winning record but also a record better than their varsity.  Some of the more underachieving teams found themselves with young, talented players that are only expected to become better.

“Teams like girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, and football are full of juniors and sophomores.  Those teams can only grow and become better and stronger,” Frankie Greco (‘19) said. 
    
Even some of McMahon’s most accomplished teams this year are relatively young.  The girl's soccer team, who were able to make both the state and FCIAC tournaments, consist of 28% freshmen and about 67% of their players will be returning to play next year. 

The boy's basketball team was projected to easily make the state tournament after winning four of their first six games but then fell off a bit and now have an overall record of 7-11.  Yet the real expectations aren’t until next year when Williams is a senior and the rest of the ten returning players has had a season to become accustomed to the new coaching staff and their expectations. 
    
According to Greco, “Basketball for sure will be expected to improve next year for sure.   Now that the players have gotten used to the new coaching staff, they will definitely improve greatly with coming back to a familiar system.  Also, next year's varsity team will hopefully be seeing many of this seasons JV players because they have been playing outstandingly.  Currently winning 12 of their (15) games so far this season, I can’t wait to see how we do next year.”