Williston Northampton coach Ben Farmer stood at midcourt minutes after his team captured the NEPSAC Class A title over Phillips Exeter at Suffield Academy.
Amidst a frenzied celebration, Farmer joyfully hugged players, alumni and fans who arrived in waves to offer congratulations. It was during that moment when Farmer finally stepped back and reflected on what his senior-laden team had just accomplished.
“It’s been an incredible season,” said Farmer. “It’s one I will remember and our team will remember for the rest of our lives. Being on a team like this doesn’t happen often. We tried to appreciate every moment we had together.”
Williston’s journey to the Class A title started in September when an experienced squad met to begin preseason workouts. Not only were stalwarts Preston Edmead, Ore Odutayo and Ricardo Nieves (Springfield, Mass.) back for their final years, but Williston added high-flying wing Ashton Reynolds and sophomore forward Kyle Seltzer.
Throughout the fall, Farmer knew this year’s team was different.
He was right.
Williston opened the season with an impressive 15-point win over Bridgton Academy and never looked back. All winter long, Williston knocked off the competition. They started 15-0 and won 16 games by double digits, blending a spirited offense and tenacious defense to overwhelm opponents.
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And when the horn sounded on the final day, Williston’s final resume looked like this: a 24-1 record, an undefeated mark against Class A foes, and Class A regular season and tournament championship.
Their only loss was in overtime to Class AA champion Worcester Academy.
“This group earned everything they got,” said Farmer. “I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
So, what made this group special?
In the eyes of Edmead, a three-year starter committed to Hofstra, it was all about connectivity, hard work and talent.
Williston played an unselfish brand of basketball, a style that could beat opponents in many ways. Edmead was the leader at point guard. He had unlimited range from deep and a deadly pull-up game. But he was also an exceptional passer who got others involved.
Nieves, a Tufts commit, was a knockdown shooter and slasher. Odutayo shined as a rebounder and paint presence. The 6-foot-8 Seltzer displayed his versatility with 3-pointers and rim-rattling dunks. And Reynolds was the glue that held everything together, serving as a lockdown defender, an offensive contributor and a springy athlete with extreme hops.
Williston had all the pieces. And they fit perfectly together.
“We were just a super connected group,” said Edmead. “Since the first day of practice when we broke down the huddle, we would say ‘championship season on three.’ We manifested this championship.”
The postseason capped what top-seeded Williston had dreamed of all season. They rolled past St. Paul’s in the quarterfinals and outlasted Choate in the semifinals to advance to play defending champion Phillips Exeter in the title game.
After the regular season meeting against Exeter was canceled, the championship matchup was a highly-anticipated showdown for both sides. But Williston left no doubt who the top team in Class A was. They scored the first 15 points and cruised throughout the second half, never letting Exeter threaten again.
Williston splashed 15 3-pointers and Edmead poured in a game-high 26 points to earn MVP honors. The Wildcats fans, who made the 25-mile trek to Suffield, stormed the court to cheer with the players.
Farmer watched it all unfold while expressing gratitude for this unforgettable group.
“I determine the success of a team not just by wins or losses or championships, but if we got better from the beginning of the year to the end of the year,” said Farmer. “We reached our full potential as a group, and that’s what I’m most proud of.”
