BROOKLINE, Mass. — Inside the basketball courts of the Kraft Fieldhouse at Dexter Southfield, there’s a boys basketball banner hanging on a far wall that lists the program’s accomplishments. But right now, there’s not much on there.
Though he’s only been on the job for a few months, it’s been mentioned more than a few times by first-year head coach Matt Droney.
“We talk about the banner across the way here being a little empty pretty often,” Droney said.
It’s their intention to start filling it this season. After finishing ninth last season in NEPSAC Class A – and essentially being the first team out of the playoffs – Dexter has a stated goal of making the Class A playoffs for the first time in program history in 2024-25. With a veteran group led by senior and Boston University commit Sam Hughes, Droney believes the pieces are in place to do so.
Here’s what to expect from the Dexter Southfield boys this season.
Hughes leads the way
Hughes (Needham, Mass.), a 6-foot-6 guard and one of the best scorers in Class A, is Dexter’s best player, and he’s made a very strong first impression on Droney. When Hughes was unavailable for a recent open gym one night, Droney spotted him working out on the court that morning at 7 a.m. before hitting the weight room. It wasn’t the first time.
“His work ethic is just off the charts,” Droney said. “There will be days when I come in here at 7 a.m. and he’s already made 300 shots on the gun, he’s full sweat. … You stack those kinds of days, you’re going to have a lot of success. He’s really impressed me.”
Hughes, in many ways, is an ideal leader for the Dexter program. Droney said his positive energy and humility is infectious. The coach says he consistently wants to learn more. And there was another time when he saw Droney working out with a freshman and being supportive and encouraging of him. Those little things add up as Dexter tries to build something big.
“I think those types of things really trickle down,” Droney said. “Those kinds of extras are huge, and they’re a huge value add.”
On the court, Hughes’ talent is undeniable. Dexter’s success this season will likely go as far as Hughes can take them, but Droney doesn’t want to put everything on his shoulders.
“I don’t want to rely on him a ton,” Droney said. “If different guys are sharing the ball and being aggressive, five guys trying to make plays at all times, I think he’s one of, if not the best scorer in Class A and he’s going to show that. I think the most impactful players usually have good teams and I expect that, too.”
Fitting the parts
Outside of Hughes, Droney likes the makeup of his team that he mostly inherited. He has four returning seniors, three returning juniors and one returning sophomore in addition to four transfers. Two early standouts for Droney: Chris Camozzi (Needham, Mass), a 6-foot-3 senior forward, and Lateef Afolabi (Dorchester, Mass.), a 6-foot-2 junior guard.
Afolabi was an impressive playmaker during Dexter’s recent open gym, and Droney believes he’s primed for a breakout season. With a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Afolabi can wreak havoc on both ends.
“He’s a really athletic downhill guard who’s learning how to play with balance and learning how to play with pace,” Droney said. “He’s just a sponge. He thinks about the game all the time. He really wants to be good.”
Droney’s four transfers include 5-foot-11 sophomore Malik Adamson (Dorchester, Mass.), 6-foot-7 sophomore Henry Tisdale (Boston, Mass.), a 6-foot-2 junior Alex Dudley (Needham, Mass.) and 6-foot-2 junior Rick Costa (Weston, Mass.). Adamson, who transferred from Burke High School, joined after Droney took the job and should be very impactful in his first season at Dexter as a tough two-way guard.
Droney recognizes that his roster doesn’t have a ton of size – Tisdale is his tallest player at 6-foot-7 – but he’s installing a five-out system he believes will fit his personnel well.
“I think we can have success keeping the paint open, having five guys on the court who can dribble, pass and shoot, learning how to screen and play off the ball,” Droney said. “I think we’ll have success with it. I think for me as a coach, it’s about installing things that fit your parts, not the other way around. I came into it with an open mind, and think that’s what’s going to fit our group.”
Smooth introduction
Droney feels like his transition to the new job has gone smoothly, and in some ways, better than expected. After coaching at the college level since his 2017 graduation from Babson, this is his first experience coaching high school players. His first priority was building relationships with his new players and families, and on the court, he’s been pleasantly surprised.
“I think I had some expectations of, I might have dumb things down, but the kids, they want to learn, they want to be coached, they want to get better and they’re really attentive,” Droney said. “I think for me, it’s just what it always is. It’s being really clear, really direct about what’s warranted and what’s needed and I’ve been really impressed with how they’ve taken to things versus a college kid.”
Now, Dexter is out to maybe even surprise some other schools around New England. While making the Class A playoffs is a clear goal, Droney doesn’t want his team to get ahead of themselves.
“I think you have to get lost in the process and just work hard every day,” Droney said. “If you stack good days, good things will happen in time.”
