'Dangerous offensive player': Unselfish Rice leader is the Free Press' Mr. Basketball
Rice Memorial High School boys basketball senior Drew Bessette put his team above individual stats and accolades. The unselfish play pushed the Green Knights to another level this winter, capped by defeating rival Burlington for the Division I title in a championship thriller at Patrick Gym.
Opposing coaches took notice: Bessette was named the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association player of the year. The 6-foot-8 forward was also the state's recipient for the Gatorade award.
"He was where the discussion started when you talk about dealing with Rice," CVU coach Mike Osborne said. "If you gave him an inch, he was going to hurt you. He was a really dangerous offensive player.
"Guys with his talent level might look to force things, but he was very willing to make the right play for his team."
Bessette snags another honor today. After averaging 16.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 blocks per game in helping Rice claim its fourth crown in five seasons, Bessette earns the title of Burlington Free Press' Mr. Basketball. The honor has been given out annually since 1991 to the state's top boys basketball player.
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In a phone interview Thursday afternoon, Bessette spoke to a Burlington Free Press reporter, about his season, his time as a Green Knight, and what's next following graduation this spring.
Editor's note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Burlington Free Press: You played selfless basketball this winter. Why did you think that would be crucial to you and your team success?
Drew Bessette: I feel like I didn't have to score all the points because of the players around me. The loss last year (in the D-I final) really motivated us and the talk in preseason was, we came to Rice to win and the only way to do that is being unselfish. That's what I was focused on this year, involving my teammates so that we could be as successful as we could. I think we showed that with the results that we got.
Free Press: What's your favorite memory of your senior season?
Bessette: Bringing home the state championship. It felt great and it was a great way to end the season, lifting the trophy one last time. I'm just so grateful I got to spend the last four years with amazing teammates and just a great way to go out.
Free Press: What's your favorite game of your career?
Bessette: It's gotta be this year's finals game just because of the hype between the Rice and Burlington rivalry. I knew going in it was going to be a tough game because they were our only loss (during the regular season). The atmosphere was insane, a crazy crowd. That motivated us as a whole to stay more focused. Overall, it was a great experience.
Free Press: Where does that championship dunk rank on your all-time list?
Editor's note: Bessette's one-handed dunk in the closing minutes gave Rice a seven-point lead and shifted momentum in the final vs. Burlington.
Bessette: It's definitely top three. It definitely changed the tempo of the game. Many said it was the turning point that really solidified the game for us. But it wouldn't have been possible without Grant Cieplicki passing the ball. I'm just glad he looked where I was and I'm just grateful I got to experience that as my last going out play of my high school career.
Free Press: Why doesn't missing out on 1,000 career points bother you?
Bessette: Because in the long run the championship with the players I love being around is 10 times better than a personal accolade. It would've been nice to hit 1,000 points, but a championship will last longer in my memories. The time I spent with those guys is a lot better than a little moment of scoring 1,000 points. A state championship is way cooler than a couple seconds of fame scoring 1,000 points.
Before the game I said (in locker room), 'I'm going to give everyone the chance to do what they want because I can't do it by myself.' I think me saying that motivated (my teammates) to step up and do what they do. I'm proud of them for that.
Free Press: Tell me something about Rice coach Paul Pecor.
Bessette: Coach Pecor has motivated me to push further, not just on the basketball court but as a man as well. He really cares about the players that he has. He'll ride them, but it's for a good purpose. He's not trying to make you mad or whatever, he really cares and he puts the time into kids because he knows they are capable of winning state championships. He's one of the best coaches I've ever had.
Free Press: How did you balance expectations and pressure playing for tradition-rich Rice basketball?
Bessette: My first couple of years I was really nervous, but as I've adapted to the team, I really just put my faith in (my teammates) and in myself as well. It's really balanced the pressure of having to do everything. There are other players who can do just as much as I can and that really eases the pressure of having to perform at a high standard every game. The wins will come with team play, not selfish play.
Free Press: What's your goal with UVM men's basketball: To become a scholarship player?
Bessette: That's one of my main goals right now, just to prove to the (Vermont) coaching staff what I'm capable of. I want to keep working, keep my head down and do what they are telling me to do. I'm excited for it.
Free Press: What will you miss the most about high school sports?
Bessette: I'm going to miss the locker room talks, the pre-game, the team dinners, the traveling to St. Johnsbury or Rutland — all those far away towns — and I'm going to miss being able to go to Rice and play basketball again. I'm going to miss raising a banner. Saying goodbye to this community is going to be tough. But going forward, I'm excited for the journey ahead of me and just thankful for everyone who's been there these last four years.
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Contact Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5
MR. BASKETBALL WINNERS
2024: Drew Bessette, Rice
2023: Sawyer Ramey, Fair Haven
2022: Jonah Cattaneo, Montpelier
2021: Michel Ndayishimiye, Rice
2020: Michel Ndayishimiye, Rice
2019: Alex Carlisle, St. Johnsbury
2018: Noah Tyson, Rutland
2017: Calvin Carter, Enosburg
2016: Ben Shungu, Rice
2015: Ben Shungu, Rice
2014: Pavin Parrish, Rochester
2013: Matt St. Amour, Missisquoi
2012: Matt St. Amour, Missisquoi
2011: Ben Ferris, Essex
2010: Joe O'Shea, Burlington
2009: Clancy Rugg, Burlington
2008: Joe O'Shea, Burlington
2007: Tyrone Conley, Burlington
2006: Matt Glass, Mount Mansfield
2005: Matt Glass, Mount Mansfield
2004: Chad Powlovich, Mount Mansfield
2003: Kyle Cieplicki, Rice
2002: B.J. Robertson, Burlington
2001: Tim Shedd, Hazen
2000: Taylor Coppenrath, St. Johnsbury
1999: Matt Sheftic, Essex
1998: Cam Robinson, Essex
1997: Tony Orciari, St. Johnsbury
1996: Tony Orciari, St. Johnsbury
1995: Josh Albee, Bellows Falls
1994: Marc Ferlo, Colchester
1993: Jamie Kingsbury, Oxbow
1992: Brent Kendall, Milton
1991: Bernie Cieplicki, Rice
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont Free Press Mr. Basketball: Drew Bessette of Rice
