A small boost of self-confidence was all it took for Logan Fernandes to become the player he is today.
In his first two years at Old Rochester, Fernandes played shyly and constantly worried that he would make a mistake.
“I had no confidence,” 17-year-old Fernandes recalled. “I was nervous about how I played. I didn’t like putting it in the cart. I didn’t want to mix it up.”
When head coach Rick Regan trusted Fernandes to lead ORR’s offense at a young age, he became a fearless force for the Bulldogs, leading the team to back-to-back South Coast Conference championships.
Fernandes’ stance in pressure conditions was crucial to Old Rochester’s run to the MIAA Div. 3 Sweet 16 played their best basketball in the playoffs this year.
“He was big in his games against good teams,” Regan said. “As the season ended and we entered the tournament, it really accelerated. I thought he did his best late in the year against major competition. ”
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In ORR’s three playoff games, Fernandes averaged 17 points in addition to playing stubborn defense and involving his teammates.
“I knew we were in the state tournament and needed to open my game,” he said. “Better competition puts pressure on you.”
Fernandes said he was relieved of the pressure.
“I grew up playing basketball all my life,” he said. “I don’t let the pressures get on me. I’m trying to keep my cool. The more I freak out and rush things, that’s when you step out of that beautiful set.”
“The ball is very much in his hands,” Regan said. “He deals with constant pressure.
“He’s a smart basketball player and he knows where people need to be. He makes sure people are on the right shots. His teammates trusted him. They had complete confidence in him. Had he been there, he would have hit the person who was open. He wanted to see the team succeed.”
In a team full of young players, Fernandes said he thinks it’s important to set a good example on and off the pitch.
“I always wanted to be their role model,” she said.
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Although basketball was the sport of choice in the Fernandes family, Logan was reluctant to try it when he was younger.
“My brother (Noah) always played basketball and my parents forced me to play too,” he said. “Basketball is a tradition in my family, but at first I wasn’t into it.
“After playing for a long time. I learned why everyone in my family loved him. I just found love for him. ”
When Fernandes was in elementary school, he played football and cheered. He entered basketball in the fifth grade and never looked back.
“Basketball is my favorite sport,” he said. “I just love basketball. I love those pressure moments. It reveals your true self. I just love the game. It allows me to be me.”
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Logan said it was fun to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Noah, who led the Bulldogs to the Div. 3rd state championship as a 2015 freshman in his only season at Old Rochester. Noah went on to play for Wichita State and is now at UMass Amherst.
“Honestly, I loved it because I’m looking after my brother,” she said. “He is my role model. I get so happy when people talk about it. I’m proud of him. “
Logan also shares a feat with his parents, Michael and Shikara (Spinola) Fernandes, who are Dave Cowens Award nominees for Wareham High. Logan was a finalist for the 2021-22 Cowens Award this winter.
“I am honored to be nominated,” he said. “It really made me happy.
“I hope to leave a really good legacy for the team. I know what it’s like to be confident thinking you can’t go out and play. I want to show them what they can do too. “Once you gain confidence and work on yourself, you can be the best player you can be.”
EVERYTHING ABOUT LOGAN FERNANDES
WHY CHOOSE: Fernandes gave his best on the biggest stage and helped the Bulldogs reach the Div. 3 Sweet 16, with its scoring and facilitation. Teammate Maddie Wright and Bishop Stang’s Bridget Markey also had impressive seasons and are considered the highest honor.
IMPORTANT STATISTICS: Fernandes averaged 11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.1 assists, as well as 75% shooting from the free throw line. He also shot about 30% from the 3-point range and 46% from the field. Fernandes has averaged 16.3 points in ORR’s last four games, three of which are in the state tournament.
MVP ANI: Although the Bulldogs lost to Walpole in the first round of the Foxboro Warrior Classic, Fernandes said it was their best game of the season as he took the extreme pressure off and was a defensive force. “I looked at myself and realized I was getting better at skill,” she said. “I have never seen the prints on me before.”
NEW BEDFORD HEAD COACH JORDAN PINA: “He is a point guard you would want to see on your team. He was their coach on the field. For three years SCC has not lost a match. This is impressive. ”
NOTES: Fernandes is still debating which university he will go to and whether he will play basketball. She plans to study nursing. …For ORR basketball, Fernandes was a four-year varsity player, three-year starter and co-captain at each senior year. He is a three-time South Coast Conference All-Star and has helped his team stay undefeated in conference play over the past three years. … Fernandes said he loves the experience of playing in ORR. “It meant a lot to me,” he said. “From freshman to senior, my team was the best. My teammates will always be in my heart.” He also wanted to thank his family. “The support from my family was great,” she said. “They didn’t skip a game no matter what. If they can’t come, they watch it online. It was nice of them to support me here.”
