Tuesday, December, 11
By Dave Dyer
Staff writer
The Haverhill High boys basketball team hasn't played a game yet but, in my mind, new coach Mike Trovato suffered what may have been the team's biggest loss prior to the first day of practice.
At some point before that time, senior Mike Ford decided not to go out for basketball and opted for indoor track instead. The 6-foot-3 forward was probably the team's steadiest player last year, averaging 9.8 points and about eight rebounds per game.
Moreover, Ford is fundamentally sound, generally makes good decisions and is the kind of unselfish player that every coach needs. He's not a superstar, but he's reliable, has a positive attitude and is a true team player. Losing Edwin Norgaisse to New Hampton Prep was rough to take, but this rates as a bigger blow.
Ford insists that the change of sports had nothing to do with the coaching change and was made prior to the resignation of previous head coach Bob Walsh.
"It was a tough decision and it's not about the coaching," said Ford. "I knew him (Trovato) when I was at Central (as a freshman and a sophomore) and he's a great coach and an even better person."
So why the change?
"I'm looking to go to college on a scholarship and I thought my best chance was through track. I had to consider what was best for me."
Ford, who will throw the shot put and high jump during the winter, had some success throwing the javelin (157-5 personal best) in outdoor track last spring, but it's still a curious choice. It's not like track scholarships | even partials | are that easy to come by and Ford may have drawn some interest, and perhaps financial aid, via basketball.
To his credit, Haverhill track coach Mike Maguire, while delighted to have Ford, did nothing to encourage him and even made sure he carefully weighed his decision to get out of basketball. But his mind was made up.
It's too bad for Trovato and the program. The new coach will need to work hard to make sure that players | and people | like Ford stay on board in the future.
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