HAVERHILL — Darren Stratton may have to be as much sports psychologist as coach this winter as he enters his 12th season as head man of the Northern Essex Community College men's basketball team.
Although Stratton has enjoyed considerable success (153-124, two state titles) over the years, he's usually had to overcome various deficiencies, whether it's a shortage of rebounders, lack of depth or inferior outside shooting.
That, however, does not seem to be the case this year as Stratton returns four starters from last year's 16-11 squad and welcomes several talented newcomers, including Methuen's Edwin Gonzalez, who was the Merrimack Valley Conference co-MVP last year.
In short, the Knights will not be lacking in the talent department.
"We should be good in all phases of the game," said Stratton. "We've got scorers, we've got pure shooters, we've got rebounders, we can play defense and we're very deep. We'll have 10 to 13 guys in the rotation."
It's comforting to have depth, of course, but that can signal what could be Stratton's only problem.
"My biggest concern is how will all these egos mesh together," said Stratton. "We have talented kids but we have to have some sacrifice for the good of the team."
There is definitely talent on the roster, starting with Lowell's Anthony Siri, a 6-foot-1 swing man who led the team in scoring (18.8 average) and rebounding (8.2) last year and was named to the all-Region 21 team.
Skill-wise, there is no one more talented than Leo Liriano, a 6-3 point guard who transferred from Division 1 Tennessee Tech but was injured much of last year.
Joining him as returning starters are Haverhill's 6-foot Ismael Rios, who averaged 12 points a game last year and erupted for a 40-point game late in the season, and aggressive 6-3 forward Carlos Guilermo, who averaged 7.5 rebounds as a freshman.
The fifth starting spot could go to the 5-foot-8 Gonzalez, who is the best 3-point shooter on the team, possibly former Lawrence guard Albero Acosta, who is the team's best defensive player, or maybe Sted Bourdeau.
Bourdeau was the leading scorer at Lynn Tech two years ago, averaging more than 20 points a game, but sat out last year to work on his academics.
But, then again, the starting rotation could be flexible and, with playing time expected to get spread out, it might have little meaning. There is that much available talent, probably as much as any team ever assembled at Northern Essex.
There is, for example, 6-5 Joshua Burk from Lowell, a hefty and aggressive forward/center who has been out of the game for four years, but who Stratton says could become the most skilled big man he's ever coached, and 6-2 Matt Richardson of Methuen, who started developing significantly last year.
Among others on hand include 6-4 Lewdin Perez, a raw talent who played in the Dominican Republic, and Gil Ortiz, who Stratton found playing in a men's league.
"I'm really excited about the team," said Stratton. "We're very deep, so we can use the up-tempo system we want, and the kids are working hard."
The only modifier to Stratton's enthusiasm is that the entire region looks stronger than ever. "Everyone's loaded," said Stratton. "I think it's because of the economy — junior college is such a good alternative."
The Knights open up this weekend at the New Hampshire Tech Tournament in Manchester.
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