Hoop Dreams

Wow. Wow. JUST WOW!

Three “wow”s don’t do justice to the triple-overtime loss the Staples boys basketball team endured Saturday night, in the Division I state championship game at Mohegan Sun.

The defeat — the first 3-OT contest in Connecticut final history — ended the Wreckers’ quest for a perfect (27-0) season.

And for their first state hoops crown since 1937, when Franklin D. Roosevelt was in the White House. (Also, 9 years before the founding of the National Basketball Association.)

(Graphic courtesy of @Staplesboysbasketball Instagram)

But the sting of that loss — a game in which Staples camethisclose near the end of regulation time, and all 3 overtimes — should not take away from what coach Dave Goldshore’s squad accomplished, all year long.

They inspired our entire town. The stands were packed with classmates, many of whom stood inches from the sideline, cheering on the gritty Wreckers.

On the other side of the gym were dozens of younger players. They cheered raucously, stomped their feet, and asked their heroes for autographs.

Cheering Staples on, all season long. (Photo courtesy of @Staplessuperfans Instagram)

At the end of the marathon at Mohegan Sun, they — like those heroes — were in tears.

It was a bitter, Hollywood-style ending, for a Hollywood-esque year.

I had the privilege of serving as the team’s PA announcer. I had a front-row, courtside seat as the squad enjoyed a season unlike any other in the century that Staples has had a basketball team.

Over the past 4 years, Goldshore molded the team in his image. They battled for everything: every tipoff, every loose ball, every pass.

They played smothering defense. They shot the lights out.

Most importantly, they did it together.

One of the top scorers in Staples history, Sam Clachko, regularly dished off assists to teammates. All 5 starters scored in nearly equal measure; each game, it seemed, someone different had the most.

When a sub took the floor, support from teammates was as loud as if — well, a triple-overtime title was on the line.

And wow, were they resilient. That quality was apparent to all at Mohegan Sun Saturday. Four times — at the end of regulation time, and in all 3 overtimes — Staples battled back from deficits, with talent, grit, composure, and a palpable belief in themselves, and each other.

When it was all over — when the last shots did not go in, when the final buzzer sounded, when the Blue Devils celebrated their hard-earned victory — the feeling of emptiness must have been brutal.

Anyone who has been in a game like that — in any sport, at any level — knows what it’s like.

The boys — “young men” is a better term — on the Staples basketball team dedicated everything to their quest.

For some, it began even before their 4 years in high school. For all, it was an all-consuming journey, beginning the moment last season ended, continuing through the spring, summer and fall, and roaring into high gear the day tryouts began in November.

It will take a while for the sting to ease. It will be tough to hear well-meaning parents and friends say, “What a tough loss.”

What will be toughest is knowing that — from the moment West Haven celebrated wildly — never again will this group share practices, shootarounds, games, bus rides, pregame meals, and everything else that makes a sports season special — with their best friends in the world.

That’s the essence of sports. It makes the joy even sweeter when you win, and more agonizing when you lose.

Coach Dave Goldshore, and the Wreckers.

The Staples boys basketball team lost Saturday night.

But that was only on the scoreboard.

What they’ve won — in memories, in life lessons learned, in the magic they brought the town, all season long — will live on long after they leave the gym.

Thank you, coach Goldshore.

Thank you, Jared Sale, Austin Heyer, Mason Tobias, Jack Jacob, Dhilan Lowman, Sam Clachko, Henry Veislid, Matty Corrigan, Drew Hill and Oliver Vynerib, Gavin Mayr, Aaron Schorr, Ryan Marcus, Declan Jandora and Declan Mayr.

You won our hearts, with your heart.

You are our champions.

Celebrating, after a second straight FCIAC (league) championship. (All photos courtesy of Staples boys basketball, unless otherwise noted)

OVERTIME: Coach Dave Goldshore told The Ruden Report: “Being part of one of the greatest high school basketball games in the state of Connecticut history is special.

“The kids just battled. They battled and sometimes things don’t go your way. The world judges you sometimes on results, but I judge this team on their process. I judge this team on their heart. I judge this team on their ability to be resilient. That’s what the heart of a champion is.”

“Tonight was my favorite part of the season Under incredible pressure and incredible adversity, they showered incredible commitment. Sometimes the results don’t go your way, but the toughness never goes away.”

Staples (far side, white uniforms). The thrill and memories of playing at Mohegan Sun will last a lifetime. (Photo/Diane Lowman)

DOUBLE OVERTIME: Click here or below for highlights from the game. It begins with a short clip of Staples senior Demeil Betfarhad, who gave a stirring rendition of the national anthem.

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