LUNENBURG – The Lunenburg boys’ basketball team is returning a number of players from last year’s state tournament team, with two juniors and five juniors back from that squad. Optimism is high because not only do the Blue Knights have quality talent and experience, but because of the tireless effort put in the offseason for preparation.
Lunenburg is experienced, but also a little future-looking with three experienced sophomores in addition to the upperclassmen that return. Last season the Blue Knights made a run at the Clark Tournament, losing in the semifinals to David Prouty, who was the state runner-up with only the title game loss as a blemish on the season.
“Our goal is to be better in all we do this year,” Lunenburg High boys’ basketball head coach Erik Dellasanta said. “In terms of league play, our league’s very strong this year with Clinton and Tyngsboro, and Hudson, very, very good teams. We’re expecting to be very, very competitive, and get a home game at state’s, I don’t know if we can do that, but we have a very optimistic feeling about our season.”
Miles Seminatore is a senior captain and a 3-year varsity player at the forward position. Seminatore finds success easily in all facets of the game; rebounding, shooting, driving to the rim, and demonstrates strong leadership.
Waleed Qasim is the other senior captain, with great motivational skills, and leadership ability. Qasim played an important role off the bench in the season opener against Ayer Shirley.
Vinny Dellasanta is a junior captain elected by his teammates, who is an exceptional shooter, ball handler, a massively improved rebounder, and a leader in the backcourt. Vinny Dellasanta showed his rebounding improvement in game one of the season, as he posted a double-double.
Evan Comesana will also be in the starting lineup at the point guard position, where he thrives driving off the dribble, and being an elite defender. Roudy Auguste is a split point with exceptional athleticism, strong shooting ability, and an active defender on-and-off the ball.
Jackson Camerano is the final starter, a 6 foot 2 inch post player with elite athleticism and solid defense in the paint. For a big he can run the floor seamlessly and shoot the trey.
Jax Petricca is a true sniper off the bench from 3-point land, who brings intensity on defense. Brady Kelly, Anthony Tammaro, and Jake Zivojinovic are sophomores who will build experience as the season goes. Kelly proved that he could dunk the ball in practice. Zivojinovic is a strong lefty in the post, while Tammaro is a determined guard.
Lunenburg beefed up its non-league schedule in light of the returners and the success of last year’s team. The Knights will play Monty Tech, Groton-Dunstable, North Middlesex, Fitchburg, and St. Bernard’s this season. Full-throttle hard work in the offseason puts the Knights in a favorable position to be able to handle the schedule ahead of them, Erik Dellasanta says.
“We scheduled some very strong teams to prepare ourselves to get ready for the state tournament,” Erik Dellasanta said. “My kids put in the work. They’re lifting weights in the off-season, they’re putting in time on their game in the offseason. I think we’re a physically stronger team than we’ve been in the past because we really have been lifting.”
“And I think this team believes in themselves, and believes in each other. It’s a nice group of kids who are very competitive,” Erik Dellasanta continued. “ I think the team has a nice gel to it, and that team chemistry can be hard to come by, but this team just has it naturally.”
Comments