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Late last summer, Darryl Simmons – never short on confidence – defiantly said he would have a role on Putnam Science Academy’s Prep basketball team. He said it would be an opportunity for him to prove he could lead a team at a young age, and that “this is my time. I worked hard for this. Somebody’s minutes are in jeopardy.”
In the coaches offices, that belief was not as strong.
“I don’t know that we were so sure,” Mustangs coach Tom Espinosa said recently. “I wasn’t convinced he was ready for the Prep level. At some point he would be. But I wasn’t sure it was going to be last year.”
But Simmons’ work ethic, attitude, and talent forced him onto the roster and into a backup point guard role to open the season. And when Bensley Joseph didn’t return to the team for the second-half restart after breaking his ankle in the second game, the ball was in Simmons’ hands. All he did was average 12.1 points, 4.4 assists, 1.7 steals, post a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, and lead PSA to an 18-3 record.
Needless to say, the view from the top has changed heading into the 2021-22 season.
“It’s really different, and it starts with recruiting,” Espinosa said. “In the years past, we needed to get a Bensley Joseph, a Tyson Etienne, a Kyle Lofton, someone who was going to run things. Now, we already have our point guard. We have our head of the snake.
“We’re excited about him. He’s a good player. He’s got confidence you can’t take away, and that’s a skill that is unique. You’ve got that, plus he is such a smart basketball player, plus guys love playing with him…it’s all a pretty good mix.”
Simmons, a member of the Class of 2023, has backed up his strong season with another one on the AAU circuit this summer, leading his U16 Expressions Elite team and garnering more interest from colleges.
“It’s been a good summer,” said Simmons, who has added some muscle to his 5-foot, 10-inch frame. “I’m playing a lot of top 2023 guards who are on the ESPN list. For me, it’s about seizing the moment. Last season was an opportunity and I did what I had to do. I worked for it and put in the time and effort. Same thing this summer. People are the result of that time and work I put in.
“Looking ahead, I want to be more of a leader because the goal is to win a national championship. That’s the goal. There’s going to be ups and downs. It’s not all going to be as good as you think it will be. But we just have to work and keep going. All we want to do is win a national title.”
By Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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