Boys Basketball Team Qualifies for State Tourney

Junior guard Sean Doncaster added a team-high twenty points in the Mustangs’ win over Cohasset Wednesday.

Story Updated 1:08PM Friday, February 24, 2012

– Allison Goldsberry

The boys varsity basketball team had one last shot to qualify for the state tournament and the Mustangs made it happen with a win over Cohasset on Wednesday.

The team closed the regular season with a 53-48 road victory. Head Coach Anthony Faradie said it was a “tough match to get the win.” The Mustangs were down 21-20 at the half and kept Cohassett at bay with a “big defensive effort” in the third quarter.

Junior guard Sean Doncaster finished with twenty points in Medford’s victory. Senior guard Larry Keating and junior Jon Pires each added ten points. Owen Healey had some big minutes down the stretch, hitting a three and finishing a key layup with the left while Anthony Tortora banged down two big free throws, said Coach Faradie.

This is the second time in the last three years the Mustangs have qualified for the state tournament. The last time was 2010 and senior Larry Keating is the only member from that tournament team.

Medford will open the state tournament on Monday night at home against Peabody. The game is at 7PM at Medford High School. Medford, 10-10, is the 16th seed out of twenty teams in North Division 1 while Peabody, also 10-10, is seeded 17th. The winner will play top seed Central Catholic (20-1) on March 1.

On Tuesday the girls varsity basketball team will open up their state tournament run on the road at Woburn. The Lady Mustangs, 12-8, are seeded 11th out of fifteen teams. Woburn, 16-4, is seeded 6th. The winner will play either Masconomet (#3, 17-3) or Somerville (#14, 10-10).