The brothers Rome, senior twins Dom and Quinn, believe Sandwich is wired for success.
It makes sense, with the lineup of first-year coach Matt Chalfin at his alma mater bolstered by four returning starters, including senior guard Simeion Harris and junior forward Braden Behringer.
The Indians won 18 games last season, but several factors have contributed to a slow start.
“I think we’ll be very good and we’ll still have our 20-win season,” Dom Rome said. “We’ve just got to knock the rust off and start playing as a team, rebounding and scoring.”
The Indians did all of that Wednesday night, rolling past Kishwaukee River Conference foe Harvard 59-23 for their second win in two days that should help ease the sting of a 1-7 start.
Dom Rome, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound senior forward, led the way as he often does. He scored 13 of his game-high 17 points in the first half and finished with five rebounds for Sandwich (3-7, 1-2).
It didn’t surprise Quinn Rome, a 6-5, 255-pound senior center.
“We’ve always been playing together in the driveway, just hooping together, building the dynamic duo chemistry together,” Quinn said.
Quinn added eight points, six rebounds and two assists as Chalfin emptied his bench midway through the third quarter.
“I think we played pretty good competition early,” Chalfin said. “I hate to make excuses, but sickness and injuries piled up there for a little bit.”
He had one player limited by kidney stones. Another has returned to the court but is limited by a broken thumb that hasn’t completely healed.
“We haven’t been able to finish too many games out,” Quinn said. “We’ll get it close late and then turn the ball over. We’ve gotta take care of the ball and finish layups.”
Four of the team’s losses are by single digits, three by four points or less.
“There’s been a lot of sickness in this school,” Quinn said. “People are going down, getting hurt, rolling ankles. I was sick for a while but I’m better now.”
He missed losses to Kaneland and Johnsburg. The team also lost to Sycamore and Ottawa. Sandwich gets a rematch with Ottawa at 9 a.m. Monday in a Plano Christmas Classic opener.
Sandwich won 59-47 Tuesday over Serena, and smaller Harvard was no match.
“That was really good defense — we were flying,” Quinn said of a 16:02 stretch from late in the first quarter until late in the third as the Indians held Harvard without a point.
“Just bottling it on offense,” Dom said of his team’s keys. “It revolves around our defense. High intensity, flying around, talking on defense, rebounding, sharing the ball, not being selfish.”
Basketball is one of three sports the Rome brothers will share this school year before venturing into the workforce in the trades.
Both could probably play in college, Dom likely in basketball and Quinn in football, but they hope to follow an uncle who is an electrician.
“Their parents are very supportive,” Sandwich football coach Kris Cassie said of Dan and Amanda.
Audrey Rome, a redshirt sophomore and the twins’ older sister, is a 6-3 middle hitter in volleyball for UConn.
In baseball, Quinn pitches and plays third base and the left-handed Dom, who is 11 minutes older, plays first base. In football, Dom played tight end and Quinn played right tackle. Both played defensive end. Dom returned after not playing his sophomore and junior years.
“The two of them could get low and drive block and really do some damage on offense,” Cassie said. “Quinn was probably pushing 265-270. They were a lot of fun to have on the team.
“In football, Quinn was an absolute force. He was a two-way starter last year and two-way dominant force this past season.”
Dom Rome is like that in basketball.
“He’s a matchup nightmare for most teams because he’s a 6-5 point guard almost,” Chalfin said. “He can handle the ball and shoot a little bit and can take over the game.
“I tell him don’t stop when he’s confident and going to the basketball strong. When you’re that size and move like that, it’s a deadly combination.”
Quinn is happy to let Dom lead.
“He’s always had a passion for basketball,” Quinn said. “I just play to have fun.”
