By Sean Savage
@SeanSav13
The Burke (Mass.) High School boys basketball team is aiming for a rare Boston city championship three-peat – a testament to sheer dominance on the hardwood. On day one of the Hoophall Classic, the Bulldogs showcased their determination in a clash against East Catholic High School (Conn.) while pursuing that goal.
Leading the charge was Yassine Amgharwho tallied 20 points, six assists, five steals and four rebounds en route to being named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Amghar exuded confidence as he deftly moved off the ball, creating space around the arc and finding open looks, helping him go 4-for-4 from downtown and propelling the Bulldogs to a 60-57 win.
“I’m just a kid from Eastern Boston,” Amghar said. “I couldn’t sleep last night. This is the biggest tournament in the world. I’m just very blessed to be here.”
TechAcademy Boston was the last squad to pull off a Boston city championship three-peat, in 2020. If Burke succeeds this season, it will cement the Bulldogs’ place in Boston high school hoops history.
However, the quest for a three-peat hasn’t been without its challenges. The Bulldogs were left rudderless after their 2023-2024 campaign, as former coach Sean Ryan suddenly resigned following two remarkable seasons in which his teams notched back-to-back city championships.
The resignation sent shockwaves through the team and the surrounding community, but his successor, Joseph Chatman, embraced the challenge, confidently stepping in to stabilize the team.
“This is a great place to coach because the expectation is to win,” Chatman said. “I wouldn’t prefer it any other way because I love the game and I’m capable of winning.”
Chatman’s system was on full display against East Catholic, as Amghar had a strong supporting cast – largely a product of Chatman’s coaching approach.
“Our resilience and toughness is what our program model is, and we showed that tonight,” Chatman said.
Jasaad Fenton had an eye-catching performance for Burke, with 17 points and four assists. As one of the team’s floor generals, Fenton commanded the court with unmatched poise and swagger, making every step count.
“I’m here with my brother Jasaad, and I think we’re the best backcourt in the state,” Amghar said. “It helps when you have a coach and other players that believe in you.”
The Bulldogs capitalized on their shooting prowess by whizzing passes through the Eagles’ zone defense, creating several high-quality, open scoring opportunities.
On the defensive end, the Bulldogs displayed a stunning effort that kept the Eagles off balance throughout the game.
Each player was integral to the Bulldogs’ 2-3 zone. Their ability to seamlessly rotate and contest shots at every level of the floor troubled the Eagles offensively. Every time a shot went up, a Bulldog leaked out in transition, cashing in on those opportunities multiple times.
Burke’s relentless press added another layer of difficulty for the Eagles, causing a number of loose balls that the Bulldogs capitalized on.
The Bulldogs almost let the win slip away in the game’s dying embers, committing “four uncharacteristic turnovers,” according to Chatman.
“They [the Eagles] are a physical team, and they were really good at pressuring our guards,” Chatman said. “We didn’t let that bother us until the game’s final two minutes. I’d rather have that happen in January rather than in the city or state championship.”
Another cornerstone of Chatman’s coaching philosophy is his commitment to academic success. Chatman insists that his players maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA to remain eligible to play, holding them accountable for their performance on the court and in the classroom.
“You can’t move onto the next level if you don’t have a certain GPA,” Chatman said. “I think that’s one of the reasons kids leave for prep schools, the academic standard isn’t the same. One of the things I’m trying to do my best at is making sure that our players meet a 2.5 GPA.”
Photo Courtesy of Braedan Shea/The Springfield Student