Prep report: Belmont Hill has collected ISL titles under coach Mike Grant

Belmont Hill shortstop Richard McNamara is committed to Bowdoin College. (Courtesy photo)

At Belmont Hill, winning big is considered the norm.  Arguably the most successful prep school program in Massachusetts over the past decade, the Sextants have applied a standard for all others to follow. They are the defending champions in what many consider the most talented division in New England -- the Independent School League (ISL). It has been said, if you can survive the gauntlet of the ISL and come out on top, then you should to be considered the best.

Belmont Hill can take its bows for doing just that on a regular basis. Including last season's title, the Sextants have now won a total of 16. The most of any ISL program. Ten-year head coach Mike Grant has guided Sextants to four of them, including three consecutive from 2012-2014. Throughout his decade at the helm, Grant's teams have never finished lower than second place in the league. It's undoubtedly an accomplishment which sets them apart from the rest of the pack.

"I think the ISL is one of the top leagues in New England," said Grant. "Over the last few years, I felt like in every game we played in the league, there was a guy on the mound that was going to pitch in college. You look around the ISL, and there are a ton of future college baseball players all over the field. Every league has good teams, but the quality of depth in the ISL certainly makes the season a grind."

This upcoming season will present a challenge for Grant and his club. Belmont Hill graduated 11 from last year's roster and is looking to replenish those losses as quickly as possible.