Deep Scarlet Hawks squad starts strong

By Chris Villani

With one of the program’s biggest rosters and the likely soon-to-be all-time leading scorer, the Milford High boys’ basketball team figures to be in for a stellar 2024-2025 season. MHS won three of its first four games, earning a spot in the finals of its own holiday tournament ahead of the gauntlet of play in the Hockomock League.

Head coach Dana Olson said the plan is to make more noise than usual in the ultra-competitive league.

“There are some things that they have never done since joining the Hock. They’ve never beaten Franklin in basketball, they’ve beaten Mansfield maybe once,” Olson said. “My goal is to get the program to a point where we are competing year-in and year-out with the top programs in the Hock.”

The Scarlet Hawks are led this year by senior captain Andrew Rivera. The 6-foot-3 swingman recently surpassed 1,000 career points and, if he stays healthy, looks like a lock to become the program’s all-time leading scorer. He and fellow senior Gus Coutinho averaged 18 points per game through the first quarter of the year.

“You don’t get too many Riveras in your coaching career,” Olson said. “He has Division I scholarship offers to play football and he’s only the seventh player to go over 1,000 points in basketball. That pretty much says it right there.”

Senior captains Luca Testa and Jack Buckley have provided strong leadership and Milford has also received contributions from its younger players. Sophomore Matt DaSilva adds depth in the backcourt. Milford also starts 6-foot-10 freshman Anthony Daniels, who plays for one of the top AAU programs in the state in addition to his time with the Scarlet Hawks.

“He is playing really well and starting to hit a stride,” Olson said of Daniels.

MHS is aiming to return to the state tournament after pulling off a tourney win a season ago during Olson’s first year at the helm. Olson said the team’s size and athleticism will be a boost this winter. Four of Milford’s starters are 6-foot-3 or taller, with a pair of 6-foot-4 forwards coming off the bench.

“We have got good size, good length, we are pretty athletic, and we are getting good contributions from everyone,” Olson said. “We also have some good senior leadership. We have kids back who have played a lot of basketball.”

A season ago, Milford’s season came to an end with a loss at home in a thriller against Middleboro. Their coach wants more of those opportunities on a big stage this year.

“I just want to bring basketball back to that atmosphere,” Olson said. “That’s what Milford has been known for.”