Boys Hoops Earns Big Win Over Everett
– Allison Goldsberry
On Saturday night the boys varsity basketball team won their final home game with an exciting 72-68 overtime victory over Greater Boston League rival Everett.
“The game was a dog fight front to back,” said Coach Anthony Faradie.
Medford pulled off the win despite losing senior point guard Sean Doncaster, who fouled out with four minutes left in the game on “several controversial calls,” said Faradie. Faradie said the “very physical game” was officiated “extremely poorly” both ways, with “questionable calls and no-calls on almost every possession.”
The Mustangs had an eleven point lead when Doncaster came out of the game. Everett took advantage and was able to tie things up, sending the game into overtime. In the absence of Doncaster, it was fellow senior Jon Pires who got the ball.
“Normally a power forward for us, he [Pires] came in to play the point guard spot,” said Coach Faradie. “He did a tremendous job of taking care of the ball, getting us into offense, and getting to the free throw line, where he knocked down 3-3 free throws in overtime with a big three point play finish.”
Appropriately enough, Saturday was Senior Night, and it was the senior Mustangs who stepped up to ensure a Medford victory for their last GBL game of the season.
“Our guys showed tremendous heart….Jhems Lemene, Owen Healey, Billy Joseph, James Hawkins, and Jon Pires,” said Faradie.” They all stepped up on the defensive end to get key stops. James Hawkins had five blocked shots in overtime swallowing up the paint. Owen Healey sealed the game with a layup down the stretch.”
Doncaster finished with sixteen points, while Pires had fourteen, Healey added twelve, Joseph added ten, and Hawkins and Lemene both had eight.
Coach Faradie also credited Pat McTague for “making great passes” and being responsible for several assists in transition during the first half.
Medford is 12-7 heading into its finals regular season game on Monday at Billerica. State tournament seedings come out on Friday.