ConVal boys’ basketball team shows promise despite slow start

The ConVal boys’ basketball team is off to a slow start in Division II thus far, but new head coach Jim Migneault said his team’s on target to be ready when it counts. 

“By the end of the season, as long as we can make the tournament, then we’ll be dangerous,” Migneault said after Monday’s 64-49 home opener loss to visiting Sanborn, “because by then I will have worked with them for the whole year. I believe they work really hard, so I can’t ask for any more.”

Migneault, who coached at Bishop Guertin in the 2010s before moving to Rivier College as an assistant, finds himself at the reins of a ConVal program that will need some experience before it can return to its recent heights. Monday’s game showcased the Cougars’ need for reps and toughness, as the visitors turned the home team over a whopping 32 times.

“I’ve got to get experience for them,” Migneault said. “We really only have two or three kids that have played varsity basketball. “Leading that pack is forward Max Cail, ConVal’s dynamic top scorer. Cail’s averaging 18 points per game after Monday’s game-high 19, as the explosive senior kept the Cougars in it with Sanborn. After falling behind immediately thanks to some early turnovers, ConVal turned to Cail, who scored 13 of his 19 in the first half. 

“He’s an All-State kid, you know what I mean?” Migneault said. “He’s All-State soccer, he’s All-State in basketball. “Forwards Keith Whitney (eight points) and Evan Lyons (10 points) also played a big role, and ConVal was competitive, holding a lead midway through the third period. But Sanborn slowed Cail in the fourth, holding him scoreless. Then, they spread the ball around, found open shooters and knocked down shots; Connor Mazzaglia (12 points) and Jesse Cavallo (15 points) led the way as the visitors saw six different players connect from deep, making eight threes while ConVal hit just two, and the Cougars were outscored 23-8 in the fourth.

“[Sanborn] really can shoot, and they play hard,” Migneault said. “That’s going to win half the games.”

The Cougars are now 0-2 after Monday’s game and a last-second loss at Plymouth last week. ConVal has what may be a favorable matchup at Bishop Brady on Friday, as the Green Giants appear to be something of a one-man team centered around Ryan Casey (25 ppg). After that, ConVal will entered the revitalized Keene State College holiday tournament, where they’ll start with Stevens on Dec. 26; the tourney will also include Conant, Mascenic, Keene, Stevens, Monadnock, Hinsdale and Fall Mountain.