Published in the March 2, 2021 edition.
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — The Middlesex League boys’ basketball coaches recently voted on All-Stars for the 2021 season. Two members from Wakefield High made the list: Senior Brett Okundaye and junior Andrew Quinn.
Okundaye led the Warriors in multiple statistical categories including points, rebounds and steals. He averaged a double-double on the season with 21.5 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, 5 steals per game, 1.8 assists per game and shot 56 percent from the field.
Okundaye, now a two-time Middlesex League All-Star after earning his first as a junior last season, had multiple memorable games this season. At the top of the list was his 42-point, 17-rebound effort during a double overtime win over Burlington on Jan. 27. The senior also had a triple double this season, collecting 32 points, 15 rebound and 11 steals in a win over Wilmington on Feb. 3.
“Brett obviously was one of the best players in the entire league,” said Wakefield’s interim head coach Bryan Sweeney. “He is so athletic and was able to get to the basket against most teams in the league. He is also a great kid. I will miss coaching him next year because of how good of a player he is but also how great of a kid he is.”
Quinn led the Warriors in assists per game with 2.4. He also averaged 8.3 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per game and 1.1 steals per game. The point guard shot 47.9 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range.
“Andrew is the type of kid that only knows how to play all out. Sometimes in practice we have to tell him to slow down,” said Sweeney. “I love coaching kids like Andrew because I never have to motivate him to work harder. He is the type of kid that makes a practice better because everyone around him has to work a little harder to keep up. He has really worked hard at his game and will continue to get better going into next season.”
The Warriors finished the season with an overall record of 6-5. They fell on the road in Arlington in the first round of the Middlesex League playoffs, 69-57. Okundaye had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals in three quarters against the Spy Ponders before an injury kept him out of the final quarter. Quinn had 13 points and 4 rebounds.
Freedom Division and league champion Watertown tied for the lead in balloting in the division with three All-Stars including MVP Gabe Spinelli. Burlington also had three All-Star selections. Wakefield was next with two while Melrose, Wilmington and Stoneham each had one.
