Sure, they came to watch the games. Big games, after all, borne of rivalries and championship settings. But really, they came to watch him.

The dazzling pass.

The crossover.

The how-the-heck-did-he-do-that?

They brought signs. Opposing student sections heckled him.

Yes, this was the season of Mikey Buscetto, the Waterford whiz kid, who parlayed a relentless offseason of diligence into a dynamic season of production for the Lancers, who filled the Francis X. Sweeney Fieldhouse several times, turning mere games into regional events. Buscetto averaged more than 20 points and 10 assists per game with equal parts charisma and attitude.

Buscetto was named The Day’s 2017 All-Area Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year, adding to the honors that are quickly filling his mantel. The Connecticut High School Coaches' Association named Buscetto Class M first team all-state, while GameTimeCT, the high school sports wing of the New Haven Register, named him second team all-state, an honor that incorporates all of Connecticut, regardless of class distinction.

“Big time player,” Waterford coach Bill Bassett said of Buscetto after the Lancers were eliminated in the second round of the Class M tournament. “An absolute pleasure to coach. He could have gone out there every night and scored 30 if he wanted to. But the most important thing to him was to make everyone around him better.”

Buscetto, the first junior basketball player to be named captain at Waterford, led the Lancers to a 20-5 record, only the third time since 2008 Waterford has won 20 games. The Lancers won a division title within the Eastern Connecticut Conference for the second straight season and advanced to the championship game of the ECC tournament with a notable victory over New London in the semifinals.

Buscetto earned the respect of opponents, too.

“A great player,” Ledyard coach Dave Cornish said of him, after Buscetto scored 40 at Ledyard during a regular season game.

“That kid,” Weston coach Sam Moser said after a state tournament game, “is the real deal.”

Buscetto credited his dad, Mike, a former player at St. Bernard and Quinnipiac, for much of his development. The elder Buscetto brought his son to various gyms throughout the region for frequent offseason workouts and coached his AAU team occasionally.

“It helps when your dad has been through it,” the younger Buscetto said during the season. “It’s not just a guy talking. He played. He knows what it takes. He’s not afraid to tell me things I might not want to hear. But I know it makes me better.”

Buscetto has an interesting spring planned, playing for an AAU team that will be exposed to several college coaches in various tournaments. Division I schools — Brown, Hartford and Holy Cross — have expressed interest, as well as several Division II and III schools.

“I just want to be the best player I can be,” Buscetto said, “and keep my teammates involved.”

m.dimauro@theday.com

The Day's 2017 All-Area Boys' Basketball Team

Player of the Year — Mikey Buscetto (Waterford)

Steven Fletcher (Ledyard)

Trevor Hutchins (Ledyard)

Isiah McNair (Ledyard)

Dev Ostrowski (East Lyme)

Seth Thomas (NFA)