While Bourne has been a known quantity over the bridge, but now it’s started to put the rest of the state on notice.

Courtesy of a lineup that features a multitude of playmakers, including guard Leo Andrade and star forwards Nate Reynolds and Mike Dankert, Bourne is 13-1 and sits as the No. 3 seed in Div. 4 as the state tournament approaches.

The Bourne offense has been one of the top in Eastern Mass. this season, averaging 75 points per game. It has reached the 80-point plateau on four occasions and scored over 90 points twice. Leading the charge is Andrade, whose ability to change tempo and athleticism make him a perfect fit to command the Bourne offense. Inside, the 6-foot-6 Reynolds and 6-foot-5 Dankert hold the ability to post nightly double-doubles.

Scott Ashworth, in his 23rd season as head coach, credits his roster for making it a priority to get together in the offseason.

“We had the best offseason that we’ve had since I’ve been the coach,” Ashworth said. “The Mass. State Police ran a spring league at the Hyannis Youth Center that my guys wanted to be part of and then they played in our same summer league.”

The returning roster played over 20 offseason games together before tryouts even began in November. That, on top of the off-season AAU programs that Ashworth’s kids participated in, allowed for instant chemistry on the court.

“The spring and summer leagues helped us collectively, while AAU helped the kids develop their skill sets individually,” Ashworth said.

Bourne’s 13-1 mark is battle-tested. The Canalmen handed Somerset-Berkley its only loss, a 77-65 road win on Jan. 16 behind 27 points from Andrade. Then, most notably on Jan. 25, Bourne defeated rival and defending Div. 4 champion Wareham, 71-61. In the contest, four Bourne players scored at least 16 points with Dankert posting 19 points and 14 rebounds.

“Wareham is our biggest rival whether they’re in the South Coast Conference or not,” Ashworth said. “Regardless of that, the kids showed up and played with the same unselfishness they have all year. They play hard, share the ball, and most importantly like each other as teammates and friends.”

Bourne has its sights set on a top four seed in Div. 4, a key accomplishment to secure up to three home games in the state tournament. Until that point, however, there is only one speed in Ashworth’s gym.

“We go, go, go,” Ashworth said. “I only know one way. Whatever time we’re out there, we use that time to get better. We’re good, but we’re not even close to where we can be.”

Amesbury supported

Second-year Amesbury girls coach Scott Brown is gathering plenty of support for the school’s basketball programs.

Courtesy of a handful of high-profile backers, Brown has made it so all the two teams have to focus on is the court. New Balance chairman Jim Davis supplied the boys and girls teams with new uniforms at no cost along with warmup and practice jerseys.

Autofair Toyota of Tewksbury and Haverhill, along with a host of others, have combined to donate $10,000 to the basketball program over the last two years. The money has gone towards shooting guns and machines.

“Getting good, supportive boosters is really important,” Brown said. “It’s really rewarding and the girls really appreciate it. It allows us as coaches to just focus on the basketball side of things. The generosity we’ve received is off the charts.”

Brown inherited a defending state championship program in the winter of 2022 that lost all five of its starters. One season after going 1-19 with a primarily underclassmen group, Amesbury is 4-10 while starting three freshmen. Brown is a substitute teacher in the district.

“Our girls are very committed and regardless of the scoreboard play to the final buzzer,” Brown said.

Bourne High boys basketball coach Scott Ashworth gives instructions during practice Thursday. (Staff Photo/Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)