BOXFORD — Masconomet bigs Thomas Denton and Jamason Vella had been an excessive amount of to deal with for Gloucester within the Chieftains’ dominant 100-40 Northeastern Convention boys basketball victory Friday.
Coming into the season, there have been very excessive expectations for the Chieftains, who final season had been a number of possessions away from punching their ticket to the Division 2 state championship sport.
With the return of star guard Jimmy Farrell, together with Denton and Vella, this Chieftain workforce has all of the makings of a state title workforce.
Early on, the visiting Fishermen jumped out to a 5-0 lead, however that lead didn’t final because the Chieftains picked up the depth on the defensive finish to gasoline a 24-2 run to take a commanding 24-7 lead.
“We focus most of our apply on the defensive finish; it’s one thing you’ll be able to management each sport,” mentioned head coach Jaycob Morales.
Gloucester (1-2) had difficulties coping with Denton and Vella, who had been relentless on the offensive glass all through the competition.
“We bought two of the largest guys within the league,” mentioned Denton.
Whereas Gloucester struggled on the offensive finish, Masconomet (2-0) regularly dissected the Fishermen’s protection from the within.
Farrell, the senior captain who normally is the main focus of the defensive sport plan, had a quiet 18 factors on the night time, thanks partly to the dominance of his two large males.
“I really imagine I’ve two of the most effective bigs within the state,” mentioned coach Morales. “Each of them have excessive character, excessive IQ and so they love taking part in for this system.”
Vella stuffed the stat sheet together with his 25 factors to associate with 10 rebounds, 5 assists, three steals and one block whereas Denton added 23 factors and eight rebounds.
The Chieftains additionally bought contributions from their bench, exhibiting their depth which will likely be necessary down the road.
“Everybody has purchased in, everybody desires to be collectively,” mentioned Denton.
To date, the Chieftains are permitting 33.5 factors per sport whereas placing up 86 factors per sport.
Masconomet’s subsequent sport received’t occur till the brand new yr, when it tackle Marblehead. Morales mentioned his workforce will use the time without work to make minor changes and look the place the workforce can enhance, but in addition famous that his workforce’s vitality improved from the opening sport of the season, a 72-27 win over Peabody, to this victory over the Fisherman.
“Sport one, I advised them we had been sort of in Peabody simply to play and I wished them to be there to go to struggle,” mentioned Morales. “In case you’re able to go to struggle always, good issues normally occur.”
