As much as his 42-point night against Lowell told the Aiden Torres story, Tuesday night’s Lawrence High hoop loss to Central Catholic was equally revealing.
Exhausted from a long night of facing multiple hungry Raider defenders and countless double-teams, Torres, the Lancer senior, was out there as the clock ran down in the 15-point defeat, working tirelessly from one baseline to the other
Right to the buzzer.
A veteran, three-year starter, with the battle scars of countless Merrimack Valley Conference wars, Torres has seen major ups and downs in his time as a Lancer.
He set out on a mission before the first day of tryouts: Prove to the region and to the state that 2024-25 (5-15, no playoffs) was the aberration. And Lawrence High boys hoop was still indeed Lawrence High boys hoop.
“I started on that team that beat Central in the playoffs (and reached the state quarterfinals) as a sophomore. I know what it’s like,” said Torres, the versatile six-footer. “Last year was tough. It was bad for us as a group. We weren’t really locked in. It was bad.”
Torres, a second-team All-MVC choice last year, came out of the gate firing for the Lancers. Averaging about 22 points a night, he has Lawrence at 7-5, facing a key stretch that begins tonight at home against Chelmsford.
But Torres’ work this year is much more than scorer or rebounder or defender. This year, he’s the role model, the player that second-year coach Mike Isola entrusts to set the culture and tone for the program.
“We play hard, and he’s our go-to guy. Anytime we need a shot … he’s tough, plays at all three levels,” said Isola.
“He hates losing. It’s life or death for him out there. He made a point when the season started to make sure that he righted the ship. He challenges the kids every day at practice to go as hard as they can, to try and learn from their mistakes.”
He netted 22 against Central, despite Raider coach Mark Dunham throwing everything he had at him.
“He’s a tough matchup because he plays so much bigger than he is. He’s six-feet-tall, but he plays like he’s 6-6,” said Dunham.
Torres, even as his skill level grew, remained true to his roots. He’s a lunch-pail guy, who will do anything he can to win.
“The fight comes from just working hard every day, you know late nights, in the summer. I just love the game,” Torres said. “I’ve been playing since the fourth grade and have been working hard ever since.
“This year really means something for me. Last year, we weren’t good. We’re trying to turn it around.”
Isola says he wouldn’t be surprised to see Torres continue to bring it at the next level.
“There are schools looking at him now. He’s got some work to do to get to the next level, but he’s got the work ethic and the offensive game. Now he just has to build up everything else,” he said.