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Hayes Became a Go-to Scorer, Leader for Westbrook Boys’ Hoops

Jack Hayes has gained a lot of insight about what makes a team click throughout his career as a three-sport athlete at Westbrook High School. In his final season with the boys’ basketball team, Jack used what he learned to help the Knights stay strong during some tough times, while developing a solid foundation for future success.

Jack recently completed his career as a senior captain forward for Westbrook boys’ hoops after serving as a captain with the soccer squad last fall; he will also be a captain for the baseball team this spring. With the basketball team, Jack was a utility player during his first three seasons, including last year, when the Knights won the Shoreline Conference title and reached the Class S state final.

This winter, Jack and fellow co-captain Vincent Dyer were the only returning members of the team who had logged significant varsity minutes last season, and so Jack had to guide Westbrook through some growing pains. The team finished with four wins, although the Knights played much better during the second half and won four of five games at one point with several underclassmen contributing. For the year, Jack averaged 9.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists a game.

“I love basketball, because it’s a team sport, and I love working with people and building that chemistry,” says Jack. “This year has been a great opportunity for me. We came into this season with little experience with only two of us on varsity last year. It was a challenge for us, and we struggled early, but we’ve finally clicked these last few weeks. We built chemistry with the freshmen and sophomores, and I see the team getting better for the future.”

It was a whole new world on the floor for Jack when he became a go-to scorer for Westbrook this season. He also had the additionally responsibility of leading the Knights as a captain. For support, Jack turned to the men on the bench who have served as pillars for the program throughout his tenure.

“I did deal with some pressure, because it was all eyes on me and Vincent. We weren’t used to that, because we were more utility players last year,” Jack says. “I looked to my coaches, and they calmed me down, which helped me a lot. I overcame the nerves and got better as a captain.”

Jack adds that his experiences of leading his teams as a captain has played a heavy hand in his overall evolution as a young man.

“I improved a lot with being a leader, because I was never really in the conversation as a leader before,” says Jack. “I liked being in the background the first three years, but this year changed me as a person, and I enjoyed being captain.”

Westbrook netted wins against Morgan, Haddam-Killingworth, Hale-Ray, and Portland during its hot streak. Jack says that playing with synergy was one of the biggest factors behind the Knights putting the ball in the basket and a few victories in the win column.

“During the streak, we accomplished playing together. We realized that in order to win and score points, we needed to move the ball around more,” Jack says. “We learned how to play with each other and develop chemistry. We played defense together and communicated well.”

Westbrook boys’ basketball Head Coach Jeff Beeman says that Jack kicked it up a notch with his stats in the scorebook this season, while also bringing an extra layer of durability to the team.

“Jack became one of our leading scorers and rebounders and had ball-handling responsibilities. It was a very young team overall...that struggled to find the right formula to win, but Jack was always upbeat and supportive of our efforts and game-plans,” says Beeman. “He and fellow captain Vin Dyer brought a much-needed toughness and strength to the court every game. He was a pleasure to coach for four years and he will be missed next winter.”

Jack feels thankful for all of the positive influences he’s worked with in the Westbrook gym. Throughout the last few years, Jack and his cohorts formed bonds that grew beyond the court and blossomed into a fraternity of lifelong friendships.

“We have great coaching here, and it’s been the same staff since my freshman year. They are always here for you, and they are like a family to me. I will never forget the coaching staff here,” says Jack. “I also had great connections with even the families of my teammates. It was like one big family here.”