BOXFORD — Maybe it took one half of play to get comfortable. Maybe realizing they were in a fight brought out the best in the Masconomet boys basketball team. Maybe it was just the ebbs-and-flows of state tournament play.
Whatever the reason, the third-seeded Chieftains locked in defensively during the third quarter and wound up blowing out Middleborough, 78-50, in a Division 2 playoff matinee Sunday in their home gym.
The pesky No. 30 seeded Sachems went bombs away from beyond the arc and were tied with the Northeastern Conference Dunn champs at halftime (32-32). The Chieftains then came out of the locker room possessed on the defensive end, forcing eight turnovers while allowing just five points in a game-changing 8-minute stretch.
“We started trusting our coaching, the personnel adjustments and our scouting report,” Masconomet head coach Jaycob Morales explained. “We were running them off the 3-point line, creating some pressure and stopping allowing big swings. It was score/stop, score/stop for a lot of possessions in a row.”
Masconomet advances to the Sweet 16, where they’ll host No. 14 Nashoba Tech (19-2), Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Senior captain Jimmy Farrell powered his team with 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and four steals while helping spark a 16-5 run to start the third quarter and open up the hosts’ lead. Junior captain Thomas Denton was also dominant in all phases, scoring 20 points and grabbing 18 rebounds.
Work on the offensive glass (10 players had at least one rebound) was a big part of the Chieftains’ success: they had 14 offensive boards in the third quarter alone and more than 30 in the ballgame.
“All those extra possessions are huge,” said Morales. “Even if half of them come on missed bunnies — and we missed way too many layups — it’s always great to have those second opportunities.”
Middleborough, which lost in this same gym in the second round last winter by a similar score (77-58), was determined to shoot its way back into the game. Masconomet’s junior Jack Arnold (12 points) gave them a taste of their own medicine, though, knocking down 3-pointers on three straight possessions to stretch the lead to 20 (57-37) late in the third quarter.
“Jack and Colin Doherty are our ‘quick 3’ guys … it’s not all they can do, but they do it at a high level,” said Morales. “If they get a good look, they’ll make you pay.”
Depth was a factor as well. Morales went to his bench early and often, playing 10 Chieftains in the first quarter alone. All five starters scored within four minutes of the opening tip and 10 players scored total — most of them in meaningful minutes with the game still at stake.
A pair of freshmen provided big lifts in Owen Hannigan and Benjamin Linehan. Hannigan came off the bench and grabbed seven rebounds, defended well and score four while Linehan scored five, including a momentous triple.
“Owen and Benjamin are two names to remember. They might even be 1,000 point scorers when it’s all said and done,” said Morales. “When called on, they’re ready to show out. People don’t see they way those two push our starters scrimmaging in practice. They’re a big reason why we’re as strong as we are.”
Starters Mateo Stefanelli (4 points), Ryan Richardson (5 points, 2 steals) and Cal Weidman also gave the winners energy throughout.
Middleborough made nine 3-pointers (but only two after halftime) and was led by Shannon Sylvia’s 12 points.
Senior Jamason Vella (averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds) didn’t suit up for Masconomet. Morales declined to comment, other than to say the big man won’t be available for the rest of the season.
Masconomet 78, Middleborough 50
Division 2 Round of 32
at Masconomet Regional, Boxford
Middleborough;16;16;5;13;50
Masconomet;17;15;25;21;78
Individual scoring
Middleborough: O’Brien 1-0-3, Sylvia 4-3-12, Trottier 2-0-6, Tullish 3-0-8, Masiello 3-0-9, Afonso 0-1-1, Kessimian 1-1-3, Hardaway 4-0-8, Wilkins 0-0-0, Guerra 0-0-0. Totals 18-5-50.
Masconomet: Weidman 1-0-2, Stefanelli 2-0-4, Richardson 2-1-5, Farrell 9-2-21, Denton 6-6-20, Doherty 1-0-3, Arnold 4-0-12, Linehan 2-0-5, Green 1-0-2, O. Hannigan 1-2-4, Bernier 0-0-0, J. Hannigan 0-0-0, O’Connor 0-0-0, Karas 0-0-0, Pinelli 0-0-0. Totals 29-11-78.
Three pointers: MB, Masiello 3, Tullish 2, Trottier 2, Sylvia, O’Brien; MSC, Arnold 4, Denton 2, Farrell, Doherty, Linehan.
Halftime score: Tied, 32-32.
Records: MB, 14-8; MSC, 18-3.