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03/15/2018 12:00 AMBen Weinstein’s presence makes the Valley Regional boys’ basketball team better even before he steps on the court, and that steady leadership has paved the way to a solid season for both himself and the Warriors. Ben, a power forward, is averaging 9.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game and earned All-Shoreline Conference Honorable Mention for Valley, which won its first two games in Division IV State Tournament.
As a senior captain, Ben actively leads the Warriors both on and off the floor. Ben says that he learned his leadership style from former team captain Nash Eppard, who patrolled the paint for Valley prior to Ben. Now, Ben is the one who’s mentoring the athletes that are coming up the ranks for Head Coach Kevin Woods’s squad.
“I always help the team out, teach them, and make sure they don’t lose their heads, while also making sure I don’t lose mine,” Ben says. “When I was a sophomore, I had Nash Eppard in front of me. The stuff that he and Coach Woods have taught me, I try to pass down to the younger guys, so that they can be successful.”
Ben began playing basketball at an early age, and he and his father Brian share an affinity for the sport, especially the NCAA. For Ben, a UConn fan, March Madness is a special time of the year where he and his dad can talk brackets.
“I started playing basketball when I was four or five, and I fell in love with the sport ever since,” says Ben, a Deep River resident. “It was my parents that got me interested in it. My dad is a huge basketball guy. We always talk about it and NCAA games, and right now is my favorite time of year.”
Ben features a versatile offensive attack for the Warriors. If he’s posted up inside the paint, he’ll often use an over-the-shoulder hook. When he has some space, Ben likes to drive and try to draw multiple defenders to him. This way, he can open up lanes and dish the rock to people like fellow big man Mitch Holdmeyer.
“If I’m inside, I go to a hook over my shoulder. When I’m driving to the hoop, I’m not the best handler, so I try to barrel in and beat them to the basket,” Ben says. “I will drive and try to draw two defenders so I can kick it to Mitch.”
Ben also excels in creating rebounding opportunities with Holdmeyer. The tandem’s ability to box out ensures that any shots that don’t go in the first time become second-chance points for the Warriors.
“Mitch and I have a good relationship on the court. We know where each other is going to be, and we can get it to each other. Also, a lot of our points are off offensive rebounds,” says Ben. “I try to grab the rebounds. We know that we both have to box out. When the shot goes up, we go for it. We have the mentality that one of us will come down with the ball.”
Head Coach Kevin Woods considers Ben the heart and soul of the Warriors. Woods knows that what Ben brings to the team in terms of his talent, hustle, and all-around solid basketball IQ will be nearly impossible to replace when Ben leaves.
“He’s bled Valley basketball his whole career. After last season, he put in so much work and put in a lot of time with Mitch. He organized a lot of summer and fall league behind-the-scenes stuff,” said Woods. “He’s our coach on the court. He knows the other guys’ rotations as much as our own. He’s our heartbeat. He makes big plays that go unnoticed, like the interior passes to Mitch, rebounding, taking charges, and diving on the floor for loose balls. You need guys like that to do special things. He’s a great asset and just a guy I’m going to miss. He’s like a little brother to me.”
After he graduates from Valley, Ben will head to Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island, where he plans to major in finance and possibly try out for the basketball squad as a walk-on. No matter what, Ben wants to continue playing the game that he loves one way or the other.
“I already committed to Bryant College. I wanted to stick around New England, and I fell in love with the school when I went to visit,” says Ben. “I may try to walk on for them and, if not, I will try to be on their practice squad.”