RallyNorth.net

Bristol is back, Hillies are elated

Friday, January, 11 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

Recently-installed Haverhill High coach Mike Trovato spotted Javier Bristol at the first "open-gym" session he saw at Haverhill High this fall.

Long and lean with springs for legs, the 6-3 Bristol was raw but talented. He also was headed for his second straight season without organized ball.

After a productive freshman campaign, Bristol chose not to play for the Hillies last year.

"It was too expensive (the athletic user's fee) for me," admitted Bristol, who wasn't kept off the court, though. "I kept playing basketball, just not at the high school. I played at the park, the Boys Club, the YMCA, anywhere I could."

Trovato wasn't about to lose players, especially good ones, to the user fee | not with the rebuilding task he had ahead. "We would have raised funds for him and anyone else who needed it," admitted the interim coach. "Luckily, he applied for a waiver (for the user fee) and got it."

The junior has been starting and starring for the 2-7 Hillies ever since.

He's currently averaging over nine points and 10 rebounds a game.

"He's unbelievable athletically and he is still just learning the game," said Trovato. "He's made unbelievable strides. He rebounds tremendously and has a nice little touch around the hoop."

Bristol knows that he and the Hillies are taking baby steps. "We're getting there," said Bristol. "Everyone is committed. We've really never played together before, and we're still getting to know each other."

Bristol and the Hillies will look to lift their games up, starting tonight against Billerica and then again Sunday in a non-leaguer against Salem, Mass.