WORCESTER – The Norwell boys basketball crew craved an opportunity at revenge for the reason that second it misplaced to Taconic in time beyond regulation in final yr’s Div. 3 state quarterfinals.
Now, it’s only one win away from the one factor lacking in a picture-perfect season.
Behind a well-balanced effort that noticed eight totally different gamers star in small moments Tuesday evening, the second-seeded Clippers (24-0) pieced collectively this system’s first journey to the state last with a 65-46 Div. 3 state semifinal win over No. 6 Taconic at Worcester North Excessive College.
Senior Ronan Coffey (18 factors, six assists, 5 rebounds, two steals) led all scorers as Norwell’s chief playmaker, whereas sophomore Charlie Williams (11 factors, 5 rebounds), senior Nick Adams (9 factors, 9 rebounds) and sophomore Jack Luccarelli (eight factors, seven rebounds, two blocks) additionally performed main essential roles.
A matchup in opposition to No. 20 Outdated Rochester for all of the glory is subsequent on the Tsongas Middle, and the Clippers head in with emotional momentum.
“We’ve had this recreation on our thoughts for the reason that finish of final yr,” Coffey mentioned. “All season, we’ve been working in direction of how that final recreation felt. Now, particularly, to return again right here one spherical later and get matched up with (Taconic), we knew what we needed to do. It simply lit an additional fireplace in us.”
A lot of what price Norwell final yr was a notable measurement drawback, and the Thunder boasted two harmful, prolonged huge males once more in Martin Boua (12 factors, 16 rebounds, seven blocks) and Kyle McGrath (eight factors, 10 rebounds). However with a chaotic defensive presence that compelled 12 Thunder turnovers within the first half, in addition to a 20-point second quarter, the Clippers constructed a 47-34 lead coming into the break.
Eight mixed steals and well timed 3-pointers performed an enormous a part of it. As did a relentless effort to supply on the within on each ends.
“We are able to rebound now, that was kind of our Achilles heel final yr,” mentioned Norwell head coach John Willis. “They’re some robust, robust children. Not solely bodily, however mentally, too. Each time they’ve taken a shot from a crew this yr, we’ve met the problem.”
“Now we have two or three of the very best bigs that I do know,” Coffey added. “I do know that once they get matched up with (different high huge males), they’re going to do their job.”
Williams drilled three 3-pointers within the first half. Adams performed gritty on the within to drag down 5 offensive rebounds. Luccarelli performed robust on the within for clutch stops and rebounds. Oliver Rice’s robust box-outs and an and-one end lifted Norwell out of a third-quarter lull, Nick Fein (seven factors) had two steals and a layup on the horn to cap a 10-2 run to shut the primary half, and Keegan O’Hare (six factors) drilled a momentous 3-pointer within the stretch.
That doesn’t even point out Coffey’s 11-for-12 taking pictures from the free throw line within the second half to by no means let Taconic again inside a seven-point deficit, nor Will Bostrom’s all-around play on each ends.
“We’ve had eight guys lead us in scoring this yr, lots of people don’t understand that,” Willis mentioned. “We’re an entire crew.”
“Everybody on this crew makes performs,” Coffey added. “We’re not 5 children on this crew, we’re not six children. … Anybody who will get in will make performs. It’s simply superior to know that anybody who’s in right here goes to make a play.”
Ceasar Santos led Taconic in scoring with 15 factors earlier than fouling out within the last minute. McGrath obtained into foul bother together with his fourth within the third quarter.
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