MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — When the Manchester Essex boys basketball team is locked in defensively they’re a very tough team to beat.
When they’re locked in defensively and knocking down shots an elite level, they’re nearly impossible to upend.
Such was the case in Saturday night’s Division 5 first round clash against visiting Wahconah Regional. The Hornets were all over their opponents from the jump, scrapping and clawing on defense to force the Warriors to launch contested shots or throw errant passes. It was a truly suffocating effort.
On the other end, both Johnny Chareas and Graham Lewis seemingly couldn’t miss from beyond the arc.
The talented duo each began the game by knocking down their first three of four attempts from downtown as Manchester opened up a quick double digit lead. It was auto pilot from there as the home team rolled to a convincing 61-34 victory in front of a packed house.
“Fantastic team win,” said Hornets’ coach Tim St. Laurent, his team now 16-5 as they gear up for their next test at No. 8 seed Lynn Tech on Wednesday night. “Johnny and Graham were (hitting) everything and (we played) unbelievable defense. It was Manchester basketball all game long.”
The Hornets wasted no time getting going, scoring the first eight points of the evening in the blink of an eye. Before the two teams reached the midway point of the first quarter, it was 14-3 after two triples from Lewis, another from Chareas and a coast-to-coast scoop layup from Jake Zschau (4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 blocks and a steal). At that point, Wahconah was forced to burn its first timeout, but they were simply never able to recover.
It was a 19-6 game after one as the Warriors looked to regroup. Instead, Manchester started the second with another 8-0 run courtesy of more long balls from Chareas and Lewis. The Hornets came in with a great gameplan and executed it, using their size to their advantage by working the ball inside to sophomore big man Alex Ste. Marie (8 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists) and letting him either attack the rim or kick it out for the open shot.
“We were lucky (Wahconah) had a play-in game so we took the drive out to Dalton, three hours and 10 minutes, so we could see their size and see how we’d match up with them,” said St. Laurent. “So we knew we could take care of them inside pretty good when we wanted to and we were shooting the ball fantastic. That helps when you can have inside, outside like that no matter what.”
By halftime Manchester was on cruise control, leading 37-12 while holding Wahconah to just six points in each of the first two frames. Chareas had already poured in 18 of his game-high 21 points while Lewis chipped in 10 of his 17. Chareas would add nine rebounds and a steal in the all-around performance while Lewis dished out a pair of assists and notched two thefts to aid in the effort.
What’s more impressive is the Hornets were able to accomplish all of this without defensive specialist Zach Hurd. The junior standout — who had been playing his basketball down the stretch after grinding back from an early-season injury — was battling food poisoning and was unable to suit up. But everyone else around him stepped up in a big way to help fill the void.
Senior Milo Zeltzer stepped right back into the starting lineup and didn’t miss a beat, scoring five points and playing relentless on and off ball defense throughout. Jacob Zachareas — who joined the 3-point party with a triple of his own — turned in some strong minutes off the bench, too, while Zschau was everyone defensively and came up with some monster blocks.
“Everyone played outstanding,” said St. Laurent, who was able to empty the bench in the fourth quarter with the game well in hand.
Now it’s on to Lynn Tech, a team that got past No. 25 seed Millis in its first round test by a 65-53 score. The Tigers are ranked one spot ahead of Manchester in the bracket and have come up with some impressive wins this winter, including a surprising upset of city rival St. Mary’s, the top seed in the Division 3 draw.
“We got to see them (Friday) night, the whole team was there,” said St. Laurent. “They’re tough; you have to protect the ball and not turn it over against them and that’s what it’s going to come down to for us.”
Manchester Essex 61, Wahconah Regional 34
MIAA Division 4 state tournament, Round of 32
at Manchester Essex Regional High School
Wahconah Regional (9-13);6;6;5;17;34
Manchester Essex (16-5);19;18;13;11;61
Individual statistics
Wahconah — Aidan Hagmaier 2-3-7, Jake Wasuk 1-0-3, Jack Ducharme 2-0-6, Landon Corcoran 1-0-2, Evan Alfonso 3-1-7, Sam McLaughlin 3-2-9. Totals: 12-6-34.
Manchester Essex — Mike Harris 1-0-2, Graham Lewis 6-1-17, Milo Zeltzer 2-1-5, Alex Ste. Marie 3-2-8, Jacob Zachareas 1-0-3, Johnny Chareas 7-2-21, Jake Zschau 1-2-4, Jack McCavanagh 0-0-0, Connor St. Laurent 0-0-0, Joe Glass 0-0-0, Ben Jacobsen 0-0-0, Chris Glass 0-0-0, Parker Woodman 0-0-0. Totals: 21-8-61.
Halftime: 37-12, Manchester Essex
3-Pointers: M, Chareas 5, Lewis 4, Zachareas; W, Ducharme 2, Wasuk, McLaughlin.