Experience and depth should help the Westfield High School boys basketball team weather the storm of a furious Union County schedule. Last year, after some experimentation and adjustments in the first half of the season, the Blue Devils began to find the formula to win eight of their last 11 games and finish with a 14-12 record, marked the fifth consecutive winning season for Westfield boys basketball. That formula should carry over immediately to this season.
The only senior starter on that squad last year was Shane Sheehan, who led the team with 336 points (15 3-pointers, 47 free throws), 176 rebounds and 36 blocked shots, and added 37 assists and 16 steals.
The Blue Devils should get a lot of mileage from their four returning starters, seniors Zac Epp,Ty’shawn Pearson and Enzo Ferrero, along with junior Jake Russell. Junior Connor Whelan will be the big man in the middle.
“We bring back four starters Epp, Ferrero, Russell and Pearson. We are looking to them to lead the way with their experience. Connor will fill the role at center where he adds physicality to our team,” Blue Devil Head Coach Jim McKeon said.
Last year, Pearson led the team with 84 assists and 55 steals, and finished with 221 points (42 free throws), 95 rebounds and five blocks. Epp put in 209 points (21 3-pointers, 44 free throws) and added 47 assists, 90 rebounds, 18 steals and eight blocks. Ferrero filled in quite well and led the team with 38 3-pointers. He finished with 221 points, 100 re- bounds, 47 assists, 41 steals and six blocks. Russell finished with 116 points (17 3-pointers), 34 steals, 51 assists (2nd on team), 35 rebounds and two blocks. Whelan received more court time as the season progressed and finished with 52 points, 47 rebounds, nine blocks and seven assists.
What also helped last year were the efforts of their bench players, who received ample floor time.
Last year, Max MacEacheron (junior), who finished with 94 points, 20 rebounds, 11 assists and eight steals, proved to be quite proficient from the perimeter with 28 3-pointers. Will Kirby (senior) finished with 71 points, 75 rebounds, 14 steals, 11 assists and seven blocks. Farid Habayeb (senior) had 17 points, 17 rebounds, five steals and three assists. Jonny Sica (senior) sank 12 points (trip 3-pointers) and added eight rebounds, five steals and three assists. Aidan Wall (junior) finished with 10 points (2 3-pointers), seven rebounds and a block.
Additional depth to the roster are junior guards Jared Lehner. Kevin Reynders and Rashawn Eutsey, along with sophomore guard Liam Washborne.
Coach McKeon added, “Our depth will be another strength to the team and we will be looking for Sica, MacEacheron, Kirby, Habayed all to take the next step from their roles last year. Players that are new are Lehner, Washbourbne, Eutsey and Reyners.”
Roster: Zach Epp (Sr, G, 6’3) Ty Pearson (Sr, G 5’10) Enzo Ferrero (Sr. G. 6’2) Connor Whelan (Jr, C, 6’5) Jake Russell (Jr, G 5’9) Will Kirby (Sr. F 6’3) Johnny Sica (Sr. G 6’0) Farid Habayed (Sr. 5’11) Aidan Wall (Jr G 6’0) Max MacEacheron (Jr G 6’0) Kevin Reynders (Jr G 6’0) Jared Lehner (Jr G 5’10) Liam Washbourne (So. G 6’0) Rashawn Eutsey (Jr G 6’3) The Blue Devils opened their season against the hosting Union Farmers on December 18. Next, they host the Union Catholic Vikings on Saturday, December 21, at 12:00.
Coach McKeon concluded, “We are excited about this season, we return (nearly) our entire team from last year and we have added depth. We have multiple players who are threeand two-year players. Our experience will be something we rely on. We play in the hardest conference in the state and we would not want it any other way. It is important for our guys to play as one and trust each other. The one thing I can honestly say about this season is that we are going to play tough and physical every night.”
