Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.
They have no big men and sometimes they find it difficult to score, but the Westport basketball team can play tough defense and bring a frenetic energy that can make good teams succumb. Last week the Wildcats beat Carver 55-44 at home on Wednesday and crushed Holbrook 70-54 away on Friday. They have won three straight and improved their record to 7-4, as they begin to hit their groove midway through the season.
“The guys are playing terrific defensively,” said head Westport coach Scot Boudria. “We’re getting better. We are very, very intense and we work really, really hard. Now, if we can start scoring a little.”
Krynicki adding toughness to Wildcats
Transfer student Alex Krynicki has given the Wildcats a big shot in the arm both offensively and defensively and has brought a strength to the team was missing last season.
“Alex brings a lot of toughness to our team,” said Coach Boudria. “He's physical and plays very very hard. He's a presence underneath and probably one of the strongest kids in southeast Massachusetts. He’s been awesome. Yeah. We're really happy to have him.”
Krynicki, isn’t tall, but he’s muscular, athletic and strong. He’s been playing basketball since playing in youth leagues with the Boudrias. He played at Bishop Connolly his freshman year and averaged 17 points a game, according to coach Boudria.
Bishop Connolly closed and he played for Dartmouth his sophomore year. Offensively, he has a solid outside shot and is quick and able to drive to the basket on fast breaks.
But Dartmouth didn’t go as planned and he decided to sit out the basketball season as a junior and concentrate on lifting weights.
Last summer he ran into the Boudrias and he decided to play at Westport for his senior year.
“I've known them for all my life,” said Krynicki. “I like it here a lot. Mr. Boudria has been a great coach to me. And Owen is a great player. He’s good with the ball and makes good decisions. He’s great to be around.”
Krynicki scores 14 against Carver, Boudrias net 59 vs Holbrook
The guard scored 14 points in the victory over Carver and yielded to the Boudria Brothers, who put up a combined 59 points in the slaughter of Holbrook. Owen Boudria scored a season high 35 points and his younger brother Cole drained six 3-pointers and netted 24 points.
“I think they're starting to learn rotations better, both offensively and defensively,” said Coach Boudria. “I keep comparing it to chess. You have to be able to adjust, look at a scenario and basically, assess what's going on.”