BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa basketball may have lost to Christian Brothers Academy in back to back first rounds of the Section II Class AA playoffs in each of the past two years, but head coach John Lea recognized that the group raised the bar for the program.
With one of the smaller schools in the Suburban Council, Lea has taken a program from four wins in 2011-12, eight wins in 2012-13 and to 11 wins in 2013-14.
Two big contributors to raising the bar have since graduated—leading scorer and guard Jeremy Mendrick and big man Andre Edgerton.
But the Scotties (0-1) have a few returning players who gained experience along with a mix of young guys who Lea described as guys who bring intensity.
“I’m scratching my head here because we lost a lot last year,” Lea said. “It’s almost like we’re starting over, but I’m very happy about this team so far. I love the intensity. I love their hustle. It’s gritty. I can really push them a lot harder and I like that in them. Although it looks like it might be a tough year, I’m very happy about where we are so far and I think we’re going to surprise some people.”
One of the team’s four returning seniors is guard Sean Walsh.
“We’re going to rely on Sean Walsh a lot,” Lea said. “He played a lot last year and I think he’s going to take over that leadership role this year. He learned a lot.”
In addition to Walsh, will be Josh Moseman in the backcourt, along with junior forward Jack Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald earned minutes last year as a sophomore and will be called upon to play all positions on the floor this year.
The combination of Walsh, Moseman and Fitzgerald will be called upon heavily on the offensive end.
“[Fitzgerald] really improved tremendously from last year,” Lea said. He’s really stepped up. The team voted him in as one of our captains. I think he’s going to do some things very well this year. He’s tough. He can play it all. He can play everywhere on the floor.”
Rounding out the starting five will be 6-foot-5-inch big man Logan Prichard and sophomore Christian Leva.
“Another guy—who I just really love his defensive intensity—is Christian Leva,” Lea said. “He’s a heady kid, very aggressive, defensively sound. He’s going to be starting in that four spot.”
Ballston Spa’s opening night matchup pinned them at Suburban Council favorite Shenendehowa and Division I prospect Kevin Huerter. A long and aggressive 3-2 zone stopped Ballston Spa in its tracks as they fell 49-26.
The Scotties look to pick it back up tonight as they go on the road to play Niskayuna.
