Panthers look to shake off rocky start

The Johnston boys basketball team entered the week searching for its first win after starting off 0-7 to begin the year.
The Panthers graduated their entire starting lineup from last year, which coincided with the team being elevated to Division I. A slow start was to be expected as the lineup sorted itself out, and coach Mike Bedrosian now feels the team has found enough answers to begin pulling itself out of the early season lull.
“I feel that we’ve been getting better since day 1. (Our game against Cranston West) was the first game that we took a punch and punched back. The other games that we lost, we didn’t really respond well when teams would go on a run,” said Bedrosian, who also feels some of the mistakes are self-inflicted and preventable. “We need to limit turnovers. That’s what put us in a hole. That’s our biggest flaw right now and the reason we’re struggling.”
The team has also been bit by the injury bug early, being forced to play seven different starting lineups in its first seven games. The team was back in action against Westerly on Tuesday night and Bedrosian was preparing to use his eighth starting lineup to extend that streak. Missing multiple games was Sincere Waldron, who is perhaps the team’s most productive player when healthy.
Despite the rocky start, Bedrosian and his staff have seen some underclassmen step up, specifically freshman Aiden Neil, who has come on as of late. He led the team with 16 points in its most recent game against Shea while Ron Vento added 10.
“A bright spot has been Aidan Neil. We’re getting good minutes from him. The last four games he’s averaged 11 points and has helped on the glass, that’s a bright spot especially coming from a freshman. He’s getting some confidence and exposure,” said Bedrosian.
Bedrosian has been proud of the team’s fight as it faces adversity and believes that the players have the right attitude as they look for their first win.
“They’re hungry and they’re trying to right the ship. As a coach, you don’t want to lose the team and we’re far from that. They’re a great bunch of kids. You can be dealing with a bunch of issues and we’re not. They’re tired of being in the loss column, but I keep telling them it will just take us one game. Once they get that game and get the feeling of a win, it’ll make them hungry to win again,” said Bedrosian, who still believes there is a route to the playoffs.
“There’s urgency, there’s no doubt about that. We keep telling them that we’re confident that they can do it. There’s no reason we can’t turn this ship around. If we get four or five wins against DI teams, we can clinch a playoff spot,” Bedrosian said. “If we do that and sneak in the playoffs, you never know. We have the guys and we have the confidence.”