In last week’s Division 5 home playoff opener against Neighborhood House Charter, the Rockport boys hoop team exploded for 28 points in the first quarter en route to a double digit win.
In an ensuing Sweet 16 matchup out at Drury on Wednesday evening, the Vikings managed exactly that many points through three quarters.
Perhaps the slow start was due to the lengthy, three-plus hour bus ride to North Adams coupled with expected nerves from playing in a big game in an unfamiliar environment. Whatever the case may be, the early deficit ultimately proved too much to overcome, and even with a valiant comeback attempt, the Vikings suffered a 57-51 defeat that effectively put an end to their incredible season.
“We definitely came out just a little flat,” admitted Rockport coach Phil Whitley, his team finishing their best season in over a decade at 13-9. “Certainly three hours on the road beforehand is something none of these kids are used to, and obviously a bit of nerves and adrenaline going, too. But I was pleased with how we fought back; really proud of the guys and it was a heck of a season.”
While Rockport struggled mightily to find the bottom of the net early, so did the hosts. In what wound up being a true defensive battle throughout, Drury held a slight 11-6 lead after one quarter and a 20-16 advantage at the break.
Ed Merz (20 points, 2 assists, 1 steal) provided the bulk of his team’s offense in the first half, scoring each of the Vikings first 11 points while knocking down three of his five triples. But nothing came easy, and it didn’t feel as if Rockport was able to find any flow or groove within their half court attack early on.
“Ed’s the type of kid that just continually steps up to the challenge and he made some big buckets to help get us going,” said Whitley. “But I just don’t think our legs were there in the first half and we got down on ourselves a bit on how we were shooting the ball.”
In the third quarter, however, Rockport began to build a rhythm. Chase Wheat (7 points, 4 steals) dropped in a layup inside to knot things at 26-all midway through the frame, and it appeared the Vikings had seized some momentum heading for crunch time.
But Drury answered the bell, responding with a quick 7-0 spurt to jolt back in front. The Blue Devils maintained a 33-28 lead after three, and Rockport was never able to get any closer than that.
Drury made the Vikings pay with some sharpshooting from the perimeter, drilling eight 3-balls in total, six of which came from freshman sniper Jorge Bond (21 points, 3 assists, 4 steals). Having scouted the Blue Devils prior to the contest, coach Whitley knew what Bond was capable of. and while the Vikings did a solid job of limiting his clean looks, the first-year varsity standout still found a way to move around and get his shot off in big moments.
“He shot the lights out,” Whitley said of Bond. “He was someone we were hoping to contain, but he hit a couple of big threes, especially at the end of quarters.”
Drury big man Samuel Moorman was also a big factor in the paint, tearing down 14 rebounds — many of which came on the offensive end — and finishing with 16 big points to aid in the winning effort. Brooks Slingluff (10 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block) held his own and came up with some huge boards, but Rockport ultimately couldn’t overcome a 31-22 disadvantage on the glass.
“Josh Silva, Pat Reardon and Brooks did their best to just be physical with (Moorman) and kind of get him out of position,” added Whitley, “but he had some big offensive rebounds and second chance points that hurt us.”
Rockport made things interesting down the stretch, with Josiah Whitley (14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal) knocking down a pair of clutch trifectas and Wheat adding one of his own to cut into as big as a 10-point deficit. But with time rapidly running out, the Vikings were forced to play the foul game late and Myles Beauchamp (9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) was cool, calm and collected at the stripe, knocking down six consecutive freebies to help his squad maintain the necessary separation.
Merz cashed a half court shot at the buzzer, but it was too little, too late.
“We hung around and made it a game, but Drury was a very well coached team; very impressed with them,” said Whitley. “They made more shots than we did, and I think a couple of times we rushed things. Obviously you want to keep winning, but still a great season for these guys.”
Despite the loss, it truly was nothing short of an historic campaign for Rockport. Whitley’s group finished with 13 wins and a tournament victory, something the program hadn’t done in 14 years.
Drury 57, Rockport 51
Division 5 Sweet 16
at Drury High School, North Adams
Rockport 6 10 12 23 51
Drury 11 9 13 24 57
Individual statistics
Rockport — Brooks Slingluff 3-4-10, Ed Merz 6-3-20, Josiah Whitley 4-2-14, Chase Wheat 3-0-7, Pat Reardon 0-0-0, Josh Silva 0-0-0. Totals: 16-9-51.
Drury — Myles Beauchamp 1-6-9, Donte Dillard 3-2-9, Jorge Bond 6-3-21, Samuel Moorman 7-2-16, Connor Hinkell 1-0-2, Colin Daly 0-0-0, James Varellas 0-0-0. Totals: 18-13-57.
Halftime: 20-16, Drury 15-7
3-Pointers: R, Merz 5, Whitley 4, Wheat; D, Bond 6, Dillard, Beauchamp.
Records: R 13-9; D