Shepard basketball stands as a united front. The girls support the boys and the boys support the girls.
So when the Shepard girls lost to Evergreen Park on Feb. 12, the Astros boys wanted to come out motivated.
“They texted the group chat after our girls lost on their senior night and talked about how they really wanted to play,” Astros coach Corey Wolf said.
Multi-sport athlete Billy Massey does not hide from competition and was motivated to beat a conference foe.
“We just came out for revenge,” said Massey, who also plays football and baseball. “When they beat our girls, we just knew we had to have this one and it just helps us with conference.”
The senior was all over the floor as had a game-high 20 points and grabbed five rebounds in a 75-60 South Suburban Red win at Evergreen Park on Feb. 13.
“He’s been tough defensively first of all,” Wolf said. “It’s gotten him a lot of playing time. Being the guy that can guard a big or a guard — he’s an X-factor for us and he’s shooting the ball with so much confidence.”
Massey hit a 3-pointer in front of the Mustangs bench midway through the second quarter giving the Astros a nine-point lead. Energy shifted upon the make and Massey made sure to alert the opposing fans by clapping in their direction.
“Their students had been chirping the whole time and I knew we needed the energy,” Massey said. “Sometimes in the moment, it just happens. But me doing that, my teammates got involved and it just brought energy and pushed us.”
Fellow senior Peter Primbas had 17 points and four assists for Shepard (15-14, 7-5 through last week). Two sophomore Astros were aggressive around the glass against Evergreen. Brendin Thomas had eight points and 13 rebounds, while Amari Williams 11 points and seven rebounds.
Lenear Bolden led Evergreen Park (8-16, 3-9) with 18 points and Connor Gallagher added 16.
“No one can guard him 94 feet,” Mustangs coach Mike Glennon said of Bolden. “So he’s been a tremendous scorer for us. He’s taken huge strides. I’m really proud of him.”
Glennon is encouraged by his team’s effort and likes where the program is headed.
“We’ve taken a lot of punches,” Glennon said. “It’s been good to see us all kind of on the same page. It’s been a good adjustment and growth period for us.”
Wolf was recently in a similar place as Glennon and is proud of how the Astros have progressed.
“It’s night and day,” Wolf said. “Being able to retain and bring in these kids has been great for us and has allowed us to instill who we are as a program and what we are about.”
Massey has been with the program all four years. He has been a key motivator and leader for the Astros, and wants others to know they are coming.
“We are not trying to be a first-round (playoff) exit again,” Massey said. “So I need to bring the energy and show the younger kids you need to bring the energy no matter what.”
Wolf is grateful to have a multisport athlete like Massey leading the way as playoffs approach.
“He’s a leader, a vocal leader,” Wolf said. “It carries over and everything. He’s competitive and brings the juice.”