The Loomis Chaffee Boys’ Varsity Basketball team has had an impressive start to the 2025–26 season, building momentum game after game. Under the leadership of Head Coach Rock Battistoni, alongside Assistant Coaches CJ Redd and Elliott Dial, the Pelicans are a competitive and experienced roster built for a successful season.
The team is led by Nick Sangermano ’26, Mert Gocer ’26, and Luca Balducci ’28, all of whom have made significant contributions on both ends of the floor. Their leadership and persistence have played an immense role in Loomis’s excellent start.
The Pelicans opened the season with two close wins over Westminster and Deerfield. In the victory at Deerfield, Balducci put on a standout performance, scoring a jaw-dropping 32 points. After an excellent freshman year, Balducci has clearly continued to elevate his game; he and Coach Redd have spent countless hours working together in the offseason, and that dedication has already paid dividends early in the season.
After speaking individually with Balducci, Gocer, and Sangermano, a clear picture emerged of a team with a new mindset and growing confidence. Balducci described the team in one word: “Different.” He explained, “This year’s group has different strengths. [We] came together a lot quicker than last year.” That early chemistry has translated into big wins and a promising start to the season.
While the Pelicans have found success, Gocer discussed the adjustments he has faced since beginning his season at Loomis after playing his entire life in Turkey. Gocer’s experience of transitioning from home to Loomis was more difficult than he initially expected. “It’s been a struggle being away from home,” he shared. Gocer also spoke about differences in playing style and rules. Adjusting the three-point distance and traveling violations have been challenging for him, but Gocer continues to work through those challenges as he grows throughout the season.
Despite his aforementioned challenges, Gocer has delivered standout performances, including a 28-point outing against Milton Academy at the Hoophall Invitational in Springfield while playing in front of hundreds of college coaches. He was not alone in carrying the offensive load: senior forward Sangermano contributed 23 points in the same big victory.
That win came in less than twenty-four hours after a difficult home loss to Suffield Academy. Although Sangermano was pleased with his performance and the team’s bounce-back effort, he emphasized that he remains focused on improving his overall game before taking his talents to the University of New Hampshire. “For me, taking guys off the dribble has been something I really had to work on,” Sangermano said. “Last year, I was mainly a shooter; I couldn’t really get into ball screens or bring[ing] the ball up. This year, I’ve really been working on my ball handle.” It’s clear that Sangermano hopes to leave a legacy on the Island before his graduation.
Looking ahead, all three players have their eyes set on the Friday, January 23 matchup against Choate, mentioning the “great atmosphere” that accompanies night games there. In preparation, one word Coach Bastoni has consistently emphasized in practice is “physicality.” Although the Pelicans are undersized compared to last year’s team, Coach Bastoni has made it clear that toughness and physical play will be key to their success.
The goal of a Founders League championship remains unchanged for the Pelicans. The team heads into a Class A matchup against Belmont Hill on Wednesday, January 21, with a 5-5 record, but only one of those losses has been in league play. With a strong start and a committed team, the Loomis Boys Basketball team has positioned itself well to compete for that goal as the season continues into the playoffs.
