Champs & record holders: Meet the 2024 Boys Basketball Player of the Year and Super Team

It was a year to remember for SouthCoast boys basketball as Wareham became just the third local program to win back-to-back state titles as the Vikings defended their Div. 4 state title by beating Bourne.

Old Rochester reached the Div. 3 state finals after getting to the semifinals in 2023 despite almost an entirely new starting lineup.

Both Old Rochester and Old Colony won their respective conference titles.

Here's a look at The Standard-Times ' top boys basketball players from the 2023-24 season:

BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Ajay Lopes, Wareham, Senior

As great of a basketball player Ajay Lopes is, he’s an even better leader.

With Lopes leading the way, Wareham made history this year by becoming just the third area boys basketball team to ever win back-to-back state titles.

“The basketball stuff is great, but what separates him is his ability to make everybody around him better and make everyone follow his lead,” said Wareham head coach Steve Faniel. “That’s what separates him from some of the guys we’ve had in the past.

“His super human power is his ability to galvanize the team to be better. Everybody that plays with him is better. That’s his super power.”

A three-time Standard-Times Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Lopes took on a more vocal role as the veteran Vikings battled through a challenging schedule and the emotions of having a senior-laden squad.

“This year it was much harder,” the 18-year-old Lopes said. “Everyone had a target for us. It was harder for us emotionally too with nine of us being seniors and knowing this was our last year playing together so we had to get it done.

“I lead by example, but this year I had to use my voice more and talk to my teammates when they were down.”

A defining moment for Lopes and Wareham was how the team responded to a 71-61 loss to rival Bourne on Jan. 26.

“That close loss to Bourne was the hardest game for all of us with it being our rivals right across the street, packed gym and we’re the defending state champs,” he said. “Losing that game really hurt all of us. I stayed there until 11. It was a hard, tough loss for us, but we had great practices after that.”

The Vikings reeled off 12 straight wins, including a 86-71 victory over the Canalmen in the Div. 4 state finals.

UP NEXT: Wareham's Ajay Lopes has decided where he will play basketball next year

WHY HE WAS SELECTED

Lopes capped off his illustrious career as a 1,000-point scorer, two-time state champion and Wareham’s first Dave Cowens Award winner for boys basketball.

“All the accolades he receives, when he goes to school, he’s just one of the guys,” Faniel said. “He’s not Hollywood. He doesn’t think he’s better than anyone else. As much as he’s a leader, he wants to fit in too.”

Lopes, an honor roll student and youth basketball and football coach, said he hopes he’s remembered for more than his success on the basketball court over the past four years.

“I don’t want to be just seen as just a basketball player,” he said. “I want to be seen as a good kid and a respectful kid.”

KEY STATS

Lopes averaged 17.4 points, 7.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals his senior year. He became the 19th basketball player (boys and girls) at Wareham High to reach 1,000 points.

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MVP MOMENT(S)

In overtime of the Div. 4 state semifinals, an unselfish Lopes had the assist to Antoine Crosson’s game-winning basket at the buzzer to lift Wareham past Millbury. In the state final against Bourne, Lopes scored 10 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter to power the Vikings.

“His ability to know what needed to be done and get it done,” Faniel said. “He makes the right play. He’s wise beyond his years. I feel like there are guys in the pros that don’t make those plays.

“Over the years, he was just able to learn the points where his team needed him. He was able to understand what the team needed and provide what the team needed — getting someone else a shot, getting an important rebound, getting a steal and sometimes it was scoring the basketball. Whatever needed to be done for us to win, he was able to do.”

WHAT’S NEXT

When Lopes graduates from Wareham next month, he will be continuing his basketball career at Bridgton Academy , a college prep school in Maine.

In the meantime, Lopes is playing AAU basketball with Leaders in Training (LIT) and coaching a youth flag football team through the Wareham Tigers. He coached a fourth grade basketball team through Wareham Travel during the winter.

“It was fun, getting to know what coaching is like,” he said. “I got to teach them a bunch of different things.

“All of the coaches that helped me, I want to do it for them and do it for the kids. I want these kids to have the same experience I had.”

Lopes’ first competitive sport was football.

“I thought I was going to be a football player,” said Lopes, the Mayflower Athletic Conference MVP in the fall for football. “Then I joined a basketball team and I was even better at that.”

NOTES

Lopes said he is thankful of the support from his parents, Justin and Andrea, and siblings, Justin, Avyn and Star.

“They build me up,” Lopes said. “I do this mostly for them. My family is always coming to see me play so to see their faces of enjoyment, it’s been great. I want to thank my teammates and coaches and the Wareham community, they have always rooted for me and the whole team.”

SUPER TEAM

Chase Besancon, Old Rochester, Senior

With a strong inside presence and consistent offensive contributions, Besancon was a key contributor to an Old Rochester team that won the South Coast Conference championship and reached the Div. 3 state finals. The SCC All-Star averaged 14 points and 9 rebounds as a senior forward. “He’s one of the hardest working kids I've ever had and I’m talking about practice,” said Old Rochester head coach Steve Carvalho. “He was a true post player. He was a true inside presence on both ends of the court — part of that was his determination and desire. His inside play was the perfect complement to the guards we have. He really improved his skills in the offseason and through serious AAU.”

John Butler, Old Rochester, Senior

The 6-foot-3 Butler was a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses thanks to his ability to shoot. “When you have his physicality and his size and you’re also a threat behind the arc and you’re a good athlete, opposing coaches said they didn’t have an answer for him,” said Old Rochester head coach Steve Carvalho. The senior forward averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds to help the Bulldogs win the South Coast Conference crown and reach the Div. 3 state finals after being the team’s sixth man a year ago. “He came back not just a better player, but a different player than junior year,” Carvalho said of the SCC All-Star. “He’s big, but he can guard guards. He was an interchangeable part in a lot of ways. He had an awesome all-around season.”

Antoine Crosson, Wareham, Senior

Crosson’s impact down low was a major part of Wareham’s back-to-back Div. 4 state title runs. The senior center averaged 10.5 points and 9.2 rebounds. “He added that element that Wareham doesn’t usually have and he’s a difference maker in what we asked him to do,” said Wareham head coach Steve Faniel. In the state finals, Crosson battled Bourne’s big men and finished the game with 12 points and 14 rebounds. “He was pretty dominant and he had the ability to change the game without scoring,” Faniel said. “He never complained. He always did what was asked of him.” Crosson, a three-year player, is a two-time Standard-Times Super Teamer. “He makes everything easier,” Faniel said. “His ability to own the boards to the point where other guys aren’t trying to get it and they can get on the break was big for us.”

Nathan Levesque, Apponequet, Senior

Levesque was once again a force in the post for the Lakers as he averaged 15 points and 14.5 rebounds his senior season. The three-time South Coast Conference All-Star shot 62% from the field this year, helping the Lakers reach the Div. 3 Sweet 16. “He finished his high school career with 867 points, ninth all-time in school history, and 823 rebounds. “He averaged a double-double in rebounds and points over his career,” said Apponequet head coach Jim Cabucio. “He gave us a solid double double and played great defense for us every night. He was relentless on the boards. He really upped his game defensively this year.” Levesque also runs cross country and plays baseball at Apponequet.

Hunter Matteson, Dartmouth, Senior

Matteson capped off his impressive high school career by finishing as Dartmouth’s all-time leading scorer with 1,477 points, breaking the previous mark of 1,459 set by Ryan Goyette in 2003. “Not only just scoring wise, he was such a humble kid,” said Dartmouth head coach Nick Simonetti. “You would never know he’s Dartmouth’s all-time leading scorer. He’s 6-6 and 6-7 and he should be dominating the post and he did. He was a great player for us.” The three-time Standard-Times Super Teamer and two-time Southeast Conference MVP averaged 23.5 points, 11.3 rebounds his senior year while shooting 66% for 2-pointers and 58.2% from the field. For his career he averaged 21.4 points and 10.2 rebounds. He finished with 705 rebounds. “He was the first one in and last one out of the gym,” Simonetti said.

ALL-STAR TEAM

Craig Baptista, New Bedford, Senior

Baptista was one of the area’s most dangerous 3-point shooters and finished his senior season with more than 60 made. He averaged 14.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals. “He made some big shots this year,” said New Bedford head coach Matt Hill of the Southeast Conference All-Star. “He was a good leader; he was mindful of his teammates and where they were. He’d try to keep them engaged and pick them up.” Baptista also golfs at New Bedford High.

Aaron Cote, Wareham, Sophomore

Cote played a major role in Wareham repeating as Div. 4 state champions as the sophomore guard averaged 12.1 points, which was second on the team to Player of the Year, Ajay Lopes. “Aaron took over some games this year. He took a step forward,” said Wareham head coach Steve Faniel. “Aaron is probably one of our most skilled players. He’s got all the ability. He can play good defense, shoot the three, dribble to the basket and pass.”

Caiden Cyr, Apponequet, Senior

Cyr played a major role in Apponequet earning a No. 7 seed in the Div. 3 state tournament and reaching the Sweet 16. The South Coast Conference All-Star guard averaged 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game. “He’s such an intelligent player,” said Apponequet head coach Jim Cabucio.

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Max Finney, Old Colony, Junior

Finney added another element to his game with the development of his 3-point shooting. “He stretched his game,” said Old Colony head coach Matt Trahan. “He still works hard in the post and can shoot outside. He’s one of those kids you don’t have to over coach him because he knows where to be and how to be there.” Finney averaged 17.4 points and 8.5 rebounds to be named the Mayflower Vocational Small MVP. He enters his senior year with 999 career points.

Diego Mello, Wareham, Senior

A three-year player, Mello made his presence felt as the Vikings captured their second straight Div. 4 state championship. Mello was third on the team in scoring with 10.6 points per game. “The thing about Diego that the average fan doesn’t know is he’s made so many shots that his reputation alone made it easier for other players on the court. Defenses knew you can’t leave Digeo,” said Wareham head coach Steve Faniel. “He also got much better going to the basket. He expanded his game to attack more.”

Zack Mourao, Old Rochester, Junior

Mourao enjoyed a breakout junior year and was instrumental in Old Rochester winning the South Coast Conference title and reaching the Div. 3 state finals. The SCC All-Star averaged 14.5 points during the regular season and had 20 or more points twice in the tournament. Mourao also connected on 49 3-pointers this year. “One of the hardest working kids I've ever had,” said Old Rochester head coach Steve Carvalho. “He had good defense, he hustled, he could handle the ball and his catch and shoot ability, he had some tough threes with mastering step backs.”

Jhaden Reis, GNB Voc-Tech, Senior

A three-year varsity player, Reis led a young Voc-Tech team this winter. The senior forward averaged 13 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. “He works hard,” said GNB Voc-Tech head coach Rob Delaleu. “He led by example and he has a natural instinct for the game. He goes after rebounds and loose balls.” Reis also plays football and baseball at Voc-Tech.

Jayce Travers, Wareham, Senior

As Wareham’s sixth man, Travers provided a big spark off the bench as the Vikings captured their second straight Div. 4 state championship this year. The senior guard averaged 9.2 points per game. “Jayce is a starter on most teams. He’s probably the best shooter on most teams,” said Wareham head coach Steve Faniel. “He sacrificed a lot for the benefit of the team. To have him come off the bench, it really gave us a spark where the game was close or guys were getting tired. The other teams can’t sub like we can. He comes in and bangs two 3s off the bench and it’s a momentum swing.”

Frank Vollaro, Bishop Stang, Senior

A senior captain, Vollaro had an impact on both ends of the court. The Catholic Central League All-Star averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. “He was our best player on the offensive and defensive player on the floor,” said Bishop Stang head coach Jake Ashworth. “Every game he guarded the opposing teams’ best player while also having to carry the load for us offensively.”

Hanson Zhao, Fairhaven, Junior

Zhao enjoyed a breakthrough season for Fairhaven as a junior forward to earn South Coast Conference All-Star honors. In addition to playing strong defense and crashing the boards, Zhao averaged 17.1 points, which ranked fifth in the SCC. “He was more consistent throughout,” said Fairhaven head coach Jason Antonio. “What was holding him back the most was the belief in himself. He had all the tools necessary. Once he had that inner belief, he was able to be more aggressive on the court. He helped us tremendously on both sides of the floor.”

HONORABLE MENTION

Will Horton, Apponequet, Junior; Will Levrault, Apponequet, Junior; Tysen Teixeira, Bishop Stang, Freshman; Logan Kennedy, Dartmouth, Senior; Adam Mogawer, Dartmouth, Senior; Jhoan Valdez, Dartmouth, Junior; Ryan Ptaszenski, Fairhaven, Senior; Demetrious Baptiste, GNB Voc-Tech, Junior; Ramel Clark, GNB Voc-Tech, Senior; Anthony Diakite, New Bedford, Senior; Chris Darcy, Old Colony, Senior; Nick Fringuelli, Old Colony, Junior; Luke Meelia, Old Colony, Senior; Gavin Martin, Old Rochester, Junior; Jakwon Pittman, Wareham, Senior; Jaron Pittman, Wareham, Senior; Amare Rose, Wareham, Freshman.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Champs & record holders: Meet the 2024 Boys Basketball Player of the Year and Super Team