By KEN HAMWEY
Staff Sports Writer

Chris Vanesian’s first season as coach of the Holliston High boys basketball team last year focused on changing the culture. Now, his prime goal is to qualify for the state tourney.

Chris Vanesian’s second season as coach of the Holliston High boys basketball team will focus on qualifying for the state tourney.

The Panthers’ program has struggled the last four years — four sub-.500 records, two of which were 2-18 and 4-16. But, during that 4-16 record last year, the 31-year-old Vanesian saw a major shift. His players began embracing a team-first attitude, they displayed resilience and their work ethic was solid. 

The coach knew the tide was turning but the turn-around didn’t arrive fast enough to secure a playoff berth. But, as an old song says: “The times they are a changing.’’

“Our eight seniors last year and five underclassmen all worked diligently to change the culture,’’ Vanesian said. “They came up short for a tourney berth but their efforts were strong and they never gave up. The five returnees, two of whom are captains, have been outstanding in the off-season, focusing on preparation, improving their skills and volunteering.’’

The five returnees include co-captains Owen Vaughn and Eben Salem, and Aidan Daly, Logan Schmid and Charlie Smith.

“They volunteered at our youth camp, they worked in the weight room, and they competed in summer and fall leagues,’’ Vanesian offered. “They set great examples and they held each other accountable. They’re also inclusive, always welcoming younger players.’’

To aim for a tourney berth sounds like a lofty objective but Vanesian calls it “realistic.’’

“The players are competitive, they’re working hard and they’re ready to take the next step,’’ said Vanesian, a former all-star in soccer for the Panthers and a captain in basketball. “Our second goal is to continue with the positive change. The players are all in. Our last goal is for the kids to be role models in school and in their community.’’

The Panthers’ team strengths should be major factors in what Vanesian hopes will be a year where Holliston closes the gap with the other schools in the Tri Valley League Large Division.  The Panthers were 2-8 in the division but shined brightly in two victories over Ashland and an overtime loss to Norwood.

“Our players have a high basketball IQ, they’re instinctive and athletic, our team chemistry is good and we can shoot,’’ Vanesian emphasized. “And, our mental toughness is strong. That means they’re committed to winning, they’re coachable and they want to improve.’’

Leading the five returnees, who could be labeled as change-agents, are the captains.

Vaughn, a 6-2 junior guard-forward, averaged 8 points, 5 rebounds and managed a 32 percent clip from three-point range last year.

“Owen is a vocal leader who’s super competitive,’’ Vanesian noted. “He thinks basketball all the time, a true student of the game with a high hoop IQ. His shooting kept us in games last year, especially his three-pointers. He knows what he needs to work on and he’s improved his penetration in the paint.’’

Salem is a 6-1 senior forward who leads by example. A hard-worker, he showed lots of tenacity in practice last year and that earned him more playing time.

“Eben is solid on defense and usually guards our opponents’ top players,’’ Vanesian said. “A football player last fall, he has good instincts and knows how to maintain proper spacing. His speed and quickness make his very athletic. He’s not a vocal captain but his teammates follow what he does.’’

Senior Aidan Daly, a 6-1 shooting guard, worked intensely in the summer and fall leagues. “Aidan is all about basketball,’’ Vanesian said. “He displays a great work ethic in the gym and the weight room. An athletic defender, he’s a very good shooter who can also drive to the hoop and finish the play. An all-out competitor, he’s got a great vertical leap.’’

Senior center Logan Schmid, who’s the Panthers’ tallest player at 6-foot-7, is in his second varsity season and Vanesian plans to utilize his size.

“Logan rebounds well and on defense he often alters shots in the paint,’’ Vanesian said. “He didn’t get much playing time last year but he worked a lot in the weight room to improve his strength. His footwork in the paint is good and he’s agile and quick. More versatile now, Logan knows his role and he’s progressed a lot from last year.’’

Senior Charlie Smith, a 6-3 power forward, didn’t get much playing time last year but Vanesian says “he emulates what we look for — he works hard, gets to practice early and he’s eager to compete.’’

“Charlie likes to shoot threes,’’ Vanesian continued. “And, he’s improved as a rebounder. A mentally tough player, he never gives up, he’s resilient and he never complained about his minutes last year. I hope he keeps improving as a rebounder and scorer.’’

Vanesian emphasized that he’s excited about all his other candidates. “Our next wave of players from the freshman and jayvee teams has potential and I’m hoping they will fill open spots on the roster,’’ he said. “And, if we have a player who steps up in a leadership role, then we’ll add another captain.’’

A 2010 graduate of Holliston High, Vanesian majored in math and secondary education at Salve Regina College in Newport, R.I. He taught math in West Bridgewater for a year before returning to Holliston where he’s worked the last nine years teaching seventh grade math at the Adams Middle School. 

Vanesian’s coaching experience includes two years as the Panthers’ jayvee hoop coach, one year coaching the Holliston freshmen, four years as an assistant at Lasell University in Newton and one year as Medway’s junior varsity coach.

Relying on an athletic philosophy that focuses on winning, reaching one’s potential and having fun competing, Vanesian believes that “if our players reach their potential, that leads to winning and winning creates fun.’’

Valuable life lessons can be learned in sports and Vanesian hopes his forces “learn how to overcome adversity, learn to be leaders and develop a team-first attitude.’’

Vanesian has three coaches on his staff whom he regards highly. They are Kevin Lamarque (freshmen), Joel Bernstein (jayvees) and his brother, Liam (varsity assistant). “They all do a great job with their teams and with the varsity,’’ he said.

The Panthers will open their season at Norwood on Dec. 12 and their home opener is Dec. 15 against Medfield. Holliston’s non-league games include a second meeting against Medway, East Bridgewater, Sharon and Hopedale.

“Our five returnees will form our nucleus and I like what defines them,’’ Vanesian said. “They’re versatile, resilient, coachable, intense and team-first players.’’

Boys basketball at Holliston High is in revival mode.