A year ago, the Barrington High School boys basketball team struggled to win the close games. But first-year head coach Michael Raffa is focused on correcting that issue this season. 

Coach Raffa, who served as an assistant for last year’s team, said last year’s varsity basketball team went 1-6 in games decided by five points or less and finished 11-12 overall and 7-11 in Division I league play. 

“We learned some valuable lessons last season and that carried over to this summer,” Coach Raffa said, referring to the team’s campaign in the Metro Summer League. “We went 9-4 and made it to the quarterfinals.

“We’re learning to find ways to make plays to win games down the stretch,” Coach Raffa said. 

Coach Raffa said this year’s team is a hard-working group that is motivated to improve each time they step onto the basketball court. 

Coach Raffa said the Eagles will rely heavily on returning starters Sean Bonneau, Matt Raffa and Nick Scandura. 

“Nick is going to be one of the best, if not the best, big men in the state,” Coach Raffa said about the 6-foot-6 junior. “We can place him in the paint and he can score at will.” 

Coach Raffa said his son Matt, also a junior, will be expected to impact the game in a number of areas: scoring, passing to set up teammates, defending, and leading. 

“I’m looking for him to compete for 32 minutes on both ends of the floor,” Coach Raffa said. “He’s got to be tough enough to mentally handle these things.” 

Coach Raffa said Bonneau, a senior, is one of the best pure shooters in Rhode Island high school basketball this year. He also praised the senior for being a smart defender.

“And he does a good job off the ball,” Coach Raffa said. 

This year’s team captains are Matt Raffa, Bonneau and senior Dan Coogan. 

“Dan does an excellent job of being a leader,” Coach Raffa said. “He’s skilled in so many different areas.”

Coach Raffa said his starting five will feature Scandura, Bonneau, Coogan, Raffa and junior Evan Anderson. 

“He’s a smart kid who’s athletic,” Coach Raffa said about Anderson. “He’s worked hard to earn a starting role.”

Coach Raffa said he will also rely on a group of other players throughout the season: Spencer Proulx, Owen Pfeffer, Luke Bavier, Ryan Rigamonti, Luke Bavier, Matt Leonard, Zach Berlinsky and Caleb Satisfield. 

The Eagles played a scrimmage game against Dighton Rehoboth, outscoring the Falcons 62-50.

Coach Raffa said his team’s goals for this season are to win its league subdivision, qualify for the open tournament, and win a state championship.