H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL: Andrew MacDonald tasked with building another East Bridgewater program

In 2016, Andrew MacDonald was tasked with building up the East Bridgewater High girls basketball program.

He had plenty of success leading the Lady Vikings. During his tenure as head coach, EB made the tournament each of those four years and compiled a 61-22.

Now he’ll be tasked with doing the same with the boys program, which hasn’t been to the tournament since 2015, as he takes over as EB’s boys basketball coach for Matt Savage, who stepped down after last season.

“It was a great experience coaching the girls and there happened to be an opening and I was excited to hopefully get that job and I did,” said MacDonald. “It worked out well and I’m very excited to be coaching the boys. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but hopefully we’ll get there.”

MacDonald has familiarity with the boys program. He spent time as a volunteer varsity assistant and coached the junior varsity team before becoming the girls coach. He also works at the high school.

“I’ve known these guys for a long time,” said MacDonald. “I wasn’t fortunate to coach them all three or four years for the seniors but I see them around the building. I can keep an eye on them. They’re a great group of guys.

“It’s so much easier being in the building and interacting with those guys on a daily basis.”

MacDonald’s squad will be lead by lone senior captain Jeff Lam. The returning all-scholastic was a captain last season and averaged 10 points and 5 assists per game. 

The Vikings had the unenviable task of opening the season against Abington, the defending Division 4 state co-champs, and lost 79-48. EB played Abington to a 19-19 tie in the first quarter before the Green Wave started to pull away in the second quarter.

Junior Thomas Kenn had an impressive start to the day. He scored 11 points in the first quarter with three 3-pointers. He finished with 14.

“He’s a really good player, one of the better shooters in our league,” said MacDonald of Kenn.  “I’m really excited to get a chance to work with him and some of the younger guys.”

Junior Michael Benyue scored 9 points off the bench, finishing some difficult shots in all three areas.

“He changed the game off the bench,” said MacDonald of Benyue. “He’s going to be getting more minutes throughout the season. He’s a good talent. He’s a strong guard, he can shoot the ball. He’s tough, he’s physical, he’s going to be a good player.”

Sophomore Sean Kenn is another plater to watch.

MacDonald is making his debut as coach during a tough time. The Vikings have already had sports put on pause once this season. Friday’s season opener against Randolph was postponed late in the week. 

“It’s been a challenge for everyone,” said MacDonald. “Every coach in Massachusetts has been put up against some challenges right away.

“Being a first-year varsity coach on the boys, it’s difficult but we take it day-by-day. That’s what we do. Something changes everyday. We’ve already had a pause for a week-and-a-half so that was tough to deal with at first. Day-by-day, things could change. It’s new and it’s a challenge for everyone in the program.”

While the focus in the short term is to be competitive, the new coach has long-term goals for his program.

“Tonight wasn’t our night and hopefully we can get better throughout the season, but we want to be competitive every single night,” said MacDonald. “We don’t want to be an easy game for anyone from here on out.

“Just getting better every single day, no matter what it is. Teach these guys the game that I love. I’m sharing my passion with them and hopefully they learn to love the game as much as I do.”