Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.
The Westport basketball team walloped St. John Paul II 79-43 in their home season opener at the high school on Friday night. The 1-0 Wildcats look to set things right after having a woeful 5-15 record last season. One of their worst in years with arguably one of the best players in Owen Boudria. The senior led the Wildcats in scoring and every other category. His sinewy frame was battered and bruised by season’s end. This year, the Wildcat is looking to go out with a bang.
“I’m in great shape. I worked hard all off season for this,” said Boudria before the game. “We have high hopes. We are looking better than ever.”
“Owen gained a little weight,” said his dad and head coach Scot Boudria. “He got into weight lifting and he’s looking forward to having a good year.”
It showed as the athletic senior scored 24 points to lead the Wildcats in the onslaught on Friday. Boudria caught ally-oop passes from his brother Cole for dunks, hit jumpers and drove to the hoop for layups.
“We improved drastically and we’re looking good,” Owen said of the Wildcats. “We have all guards this year. We’re not big, but we are going to be fast.”
And the Wildcats are better skilled and more versed in Coach Boudria’s offenses and defenses. They have more scorers and good ball handlers that can help take the pressure off Owen.
Plus the supporting cast also got a big boost in the arm with transfer student Alex Krynicki, who’s looking to score his 1000th point. Krynicki, a senior, averaged 17 points a game for Bishop Connolly and Dartmouth. He’s also an athletic guard that can shoot from the outside and drive to the hoop.
“He’s a great addition,” said Coach Boudria. “He’s got experience and he’s got strength.”
With all of the speedy guards at his disposal, Coach Boudria plans on playing position-less basketball to make it difficult for other teams to defend.
“We’re going to play hard and compete every game,” he said. “5-15 hurt last season. A lot of the kids worked really hard over the off season and said it’s not going to happen again. But we’ll see.”
Rounding out the starters
Starting alongside Owen and Krynicki are Will Quinlan, Cole Boudria and Max Gallant. Quinlan, led the Wildcats’ soccer team to a championship in 2023 and the playoffs in 2024 leading the team in goals each season. He’s also turned himself into a basketball scorer as well. He hit a long range jumper and scored 8 of his 12 point in the first quarter as Westport ran off to a 16-8 lead.
Cole Boudria Coach Boudria sophomore, grew three inches and looks lean, mean and ready to play.
“I’m really looking forward to this season,” Coach Boudria said. “It’s always special when you get to coach two of your sons.”
Gallant hasn’t gotten any taller, but he’s in terrific shape after the soccer season and brings an intensity to the team, especially on defense.
Off the bench
Westport has a slew of sophomores that will come off the bench and make spot starts. Guard Wilfred DeJesus, another transfer student, is a talented swing player that will likely command more playing time as the season progresses. He scored 6 of his 9 points in the second quarter and looked strong against St. John Paul.
6’ 1” Dane Leary is the tallest player on the team. Elijah McGonigle, Liam McMahon, Brody Girard and Kingston Cordeiro also will see occasional playing time. As will upperclass men Dan Hughes and Jason Gaudreau.
The Wildcats host Diman on Friday Dec. 20, at 6:30 p.m. And then travels to Fairhaven on Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m.
The girls team hosts Case on Thursday Dec. 19 at 5 p.m.
Scoring
Owen Boudria scored 24 points, Will Quinlan scored 12, Alex Krynicki scored 11, Wilfred DeJesus scored 9, Cole Boudria scored 8, Brody Girard scored 7, Max Gallant scored 6 and Kingston Cordeiro scored 2.