MIA Boys Picking Up Steam Heading into Conference Tournament

The Marco boys’ basketball team seems to be cruising along in overdrive as their season draws to a close. A road trip to Bonita Springs High School provided head coach, Travis Barry, a chance to rev up his engines and blow by an undermanned opponent, 81-42, Friday night. 

“They did good,” Travis Barry said. “We’re working on a new press for next week. It worked really well in the first half. We shared the ball well.” 

Barry was able to substitute early and often against the Bullsharks (1-11), whose only win came against winless Everglades City. He was also able to introduce a new player to the lineup who was injured on the first day of tryouts. 

“We got Lucas Hodgdon his first action this season and he got his first varsity score,” Barry said. “He went through a long rehab all season long. Now he’s back out on the court so we’re happy about that.” 

Barry tried to give his three seniors, Kevin Barry, Johnny Watt, and Kyler Howard plenty of work, while shuttling the rest of his roster in and out throughout the game. 

“We wanted to leave Kevin, Johnny and Kyler on the floor and run juniors, sophomores and freshmen in with them,” Barry said. “I wanted them to see what it feels like, that pace of the game. I wanted them to feel it.” 

Kevin Barry, the coach’s son, lead the way with 28 points. Watt played his typical all-around game, with 20 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and four steals. Howard and junior Joe Reisinger scored nine each. 

The Rays (14-6) close out their season when they host the Paradise Coast Athletic Conference Championship on Thursday, February 4, at the Marco Island Charter Middle School gym.