QUINCY — When a crew continues to be undefeated at this stage of the sport, each crew goes to throw its greatest punch at it.
Hanover’s boys basketball squad weathered the early storm Friday night time and stored its excellent season alive with its 14th straight win. Senior captain Ryan Mutschler dropped 22 factors to go along with 5 rebounds, whereas his classmate Cole Madden added 16 factors because the Hawks (14-0) pulled away within the second half for a convincing 64-47 victory over longtime nemesis Quincy.
“We got here out to a troublesome begin within the first quarter defensively,” Mutschler stated. “However we actually picked it up within the second half, and that led us the entire recreation.”
The 2 rivals entered play in a heated race for Patriot League supremacy. Hanover itself was ranked atop the Div. 3 energy rankings with a score of 9.1281.
But, Yhan Medina helped Quincy (9-5) get off to a roaring begin, because the junior captain drained six fast factors within the opening body to assist the Presidents bounce out to an early 19-15 lead by way of one quarter.
As they’ve finished time and time once more this season, the Hawks punched proper again. Mutschler discovered his groove from the sector, whereas Liam Chiappini supplied a pleasant prompt the bench as Hanover opened the following body with an 8-0 run to leap forward, 23-19, with about three minutes remaining within the half.
With 5 seconds to play earlier than the break, Madden drilled a three-pointer from distance, offering the Hawks a 28-25 lead at intermission.
Because the third quarter acquired underway, Samuel Mild threw down a thundering one-handed slam throughout a quick break, and Hanover was off and working.
“I haven’t seen that from him,” Mutschler stated with amusing. “I imply, he actually acquired up there. That was an enormous power increase.”
Madden caught hearth from the sector within the body, sinking three consecutive triples from lengthy vary to assist key a 15-4 run within the opening minutes of the stanza. As quick as one may blink, the Hawks had been abruptly in command with a 43-29 benefit.
“My teammates discovered me,” Madden stated. “I used to be open, and I simply shot with confidence. They’ve been discovering me all 12 months, and I’m simply tremendous happy with them.”
Even when Quincy started to search out its footing once more offensively behind Medina to shut the third, Hanover stored constructing upon its lead. Mutschler beat the buzzer with a last-second layup, because the Hawks constructed a 52-34 edge coming into the ultimate body.
“I feel we actually simply acquired going within the second half,” Hanover coach Nick Hannigan stated. “We discovered Cole a couple of occasions, and he’s able to getting scorching like that, hitting two or three in a row. That gave us just a little little bit of a cushion. However they purchased into the defensive finish, and I preserve saying again and again this 12 months – it’s a staple.”
Medina completed with 16 factors to go along with 9 rebounds to tempo Quincy, whereas Sean Conroy had 12 factors. Malcolm McMorrow added 9 factors and 10 boards for the Presidents.
With 1:55 left in regulation, Mutschler threw down a two-handed dunk in site visitors to place the ending touches on the victory. It’s the longest successful streak that Hanover has loved since successful the Div. 3 title in 2017.
“We’ve by no means gained this many in a row since I’ve been right here,” Hannigan stated. “Which once more, is a testomony to the league itself. The league’s all the time excellent, and it’s good once more this 12 months. However this group has been with me for 3 years now. They’re skilled. They’re not rattled, they’re battle-tested. It’s straightforward to belief these children.”
