By Nick Pantages
@nick_pantages22
The vaunted hangover season after winning a championship can almost seem unavoidable for some teams, but the Worcester North Polar Bears, led by head coach Al Pettway, seem destined to stave that off.
As the first team from Worcester to win an MIAA state championship, taking home the Division I crown, the city embraced the team they call North, and that was evident by how much their title meant to their community.
“Everyone was with us the whole way through the season and it meant a lot to everyone to see it happen,” said senior Teshuan Steele.
Pettway added, “To win the first one ever in the city, being the second biggest city in New England, for us to accomplish that goal was surreal.”
After a 24-2 season a year ago, the Polar Bears have not let their foot off the gas. Following 21 straight wins to end last season, a strong 9-0 start has extended that to a 30-game winning streak following tonight’s win over previously undefeated Windsor High, a Conn. powerhouse.
The Polar Bears look ready to compete for back-to-back state titles, however, Pettway knows that the concept of repeating is easier than actually doing it.
“To win one is hard, but the second one is going to be a lot harder,” Pettway said. “I remind them on a daily basis that they have not done anything. Last year is over, people are coming after you and you really have to come out and play your asses off every game because if you don’t, someone’s going to knock you off.”
His message was evident tonight.
Windsor came out strong in the first quarter, delivering the first punch. They led for most of the first quarter, but from that point on it was all North. They locked in on the defensive end, and transition buckets compounded by consecutive threes by reserve guard Nalajah Christopher gave them a lead they could not relinquish.
“We preach that defense wins championships. If we play defense it leads to easy baskets, because a lot of teams try to slow us down,” Pettway said.
Their 20 fast break points showed how dangerous the Polar Bears can be in transition, as they shot over 67 percent from the field in the final three quarters.
Steele is a game changer for North, as the athletic senior big man does a little bit of everything. In just 20 minutes, he totaled 20 points on an uber-efficient 9-11 shooting, while adding five rebounds and three assists. He also doubles as the defensive anchor, as his quick hands and great instincts help build the formula of a great defensive player, evident by his two steals and a block.
He was a key contributor on the title winning team last season, but after the departure of some key players, he knew he had to take a step up this year.
“I knew I wasn’t physically strong enough. Over the summer, I was lifting a lot – almost every single day – and I built my stature,” Steele said.
Steele along with juniors Amir Jenkins and Joseph Okla, help form the core of the Polar Bears. Okla, a skilled four-man, scored 15 points tonight, while Jenkins is the hub of the offense, and he put up 16 points and 11 assists.
“We all play together,” Steele said. “We all are very unselfish and share the ball a lot so it makes us harder to defend and easy to play with.”
Having a coach like Pettway helps as well. He was the recipient of the MIAA Coach of the Year last year, and his combination of intense coaching and intelligence make him a perfect coach.
He can be seen multiple feet onto the court urging his team to lock in on the defensive end, but also giving gentle advice to his players exiting the game, giving them tips to avoid repeating mistakes or areas of the game to improve on.
“I have a masters in counseling so I kind of use that to manipulate the situation,” Pettway said. “I’m just trying to continue that same energy from last year, showing my energy, and just being positive with them.
His background in counseling unfortunately proved to be paramount this offseason. Former player Carl-Hens Beliard, the lone senior from last season’s championship team, passed away on Nov. 1, leaving the players, coaches and school community devastated. The season was dedicated in his memory, motivating the team to win for Beliard.
“Every game we play for him and every practice we play for him,” Pettway said. “We had to find something to motivate us this year, and sadly Carl was that. On our jerseys we have his number and I got his pin on. That’s our motivation right there.”
Photo by Nick Storlazzi/The Student.