New England Lightning, Rhode Island’s premier professional basketball team, has enjoyed a season of highs and are well positioned for a deep postseason run.
As of press time, the Lightning enjoy a record of 11-0 with several double-digit victories along with a couple of nail-biters that kept crowds engaged. Their winning streak propelled the team into a Top 5 Ranking in the Country (at #5).
Owner John Dooley said the season has seen a team mold itself into a cohesive unit that is ready to face the upcoming slate of opponents. The addition of Coach Jeff Xavier has instilled a competitive fire and a “buy-in” to put team above self.
“Our team continues working extremely hard to achieve this level of success thus far,” Dooley said. “They are eager to get on the floor and accomplish what they need to do to pick up victories. Coach Xavier has done a tremendous job of indicating
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As Dooley points out, a team-first attitude has developed to impact both sides of the ball.
On offense, Lightning Guard Shane DaRosa leads the nation in three-point shooting percentage (minimum of 120 attempts). He is a marksman who has no fear of putting up shots from anywhere on the court.
His game is not just focused on shooting. DaRosa is also fourth in the country in steals per game. For Shane, just being able to contribute on both sides of the ball gives him the motivation to make whatever contribution he can to help the team win.
“My expectations heading into the year was and still is to win it all! I think we have the perfect mix of players and with Coach Jeff (Xavier) and Coach Eli (Itkin) leading us, I think we’re on the right track,” he said.
Additionally, Shane loves the teamwork that comes with working alongside one another.
“We’re gelling well together as a team. The confidence is high everyone trusts each other. I think that’s key for us right now, sticking together!”
When DaRosa isn’t taking the ball away from the other team, they have to deal with a force underneath the rim. Center Kevin Briggs has more than half of the team’s 110 rejections (53). That tally is good enough for being the league’s best. At 7-feet even, he is a formidable roadblock for opponents who dare to step into the paint.
Briggs said being able to alter game plans for the teams gives him plenty of satisfaction.
“My mindset as far as blocking shots; it’s mainly to protect the paint and try to put some type of fear or hesitation into the other team whenever they decide to attack the paint to score,” Kevin said.
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Briggs said he feels different when stepping on the court. His focus is sharper and details are important to him when the opening tap happens.
“What drove me to play basketball was I tried it out a few times and fell in love with it because of the way it makes me feel, which is like nothing else matters and I’m in a stress- free environment with no worries,” he said.
Certainly, the coaching has a lot to do with the winning culture. Coach Itkin said the players and the staff are united toward achieving their ultimate goal.
“My expectations are to keep getting better one game at a time. Can’t win it all without winning the next game first. I think our guys have a lot of talent and a lot of heart. Anything is possible with this group of guys. Just have to stay grounded and take it one game at a time. With all that being said my expectations are high for this team,” he said.
As the regular season winds down, the Lightning focus on staying healthy and doing the things that have made them successful, according to Dooley.
“The team has come together to play and fight for each other. They are a good group of guys that battle hard and stand up for each other. It is a joy to watch them grow and become the team that is playing so well,” he said.
With a few games remaining in the campaign, anyone interested in attending a game can visit www.lightningaba.com to view the schedule. Their games are played during weekends at the Boys and Girls Club in Pawtucket. Further details about the team may be obtained by contacting John Dooley at john@lightningaba.com.
