ROCKLAND – Locked in a heated contest Friday evening, Norwell’s boys basketball crew relied on Keegan O’Hare when it mattered most.
The senior captain completed with a game-high 20 factors, because the Clippers rallied from an early eight-point deficit to prime South Shore League nemesis Rockland, 56-45.
“It’s large,” O’Hare stated. “I’m positive all people noticed the facility rankings right this moment. We’re not the place we needed to be. They weren’t far behind us, in order that (win) goes to assist us for positive.”
Getting into the sport, Norwell (6-1) was slotted 14th within the MIAA’s first version of Div. 3 energy rankings, whereas Rockland (5-2) was listed at No. 19.
The Bulldogs bought off to a roaring begin, with Tyler Comman and Rophil Ngnintoundem pacing the cost with six factors apiece within the opening quarter. With the house crowd roaring, Rockland jumped out to an early 21-13 benefit.
“We’ve began sluggish in video games,” stated Norwell coach John Willis. “To their credit score, they got here out fired up. They performed actually, rather well. That’s an excellent crew. They made some outdoors pictures, they transformed inside. We simply form of needed to climate the storm a bit bit, and simply calm down, calm down. Then we began to hit some pictures, and we went to a zone. I believe that helped us a bit bit to get again into the sport.”
Nevertheless, led by an entire crew effort within the second stanza, the Clippers started to chip away. Matt Adams fueled the rally with a six-point quarter, as Norwell lower issues again to 28-27 by intermission.
As soon as the second half started, O’Hare took issues over from there. The senior dropped seven factors within the third quarter, serving to Norwell embark on a late run within the body to construct a 44-38 benefit.
With just below three minutes remaining in regulation and the shot clock dwindling, O’Hare dribbled across the perimeter. The captain heard his teammates counting down, and spun round on a dime earlier than lobbing a three-point prayer up. The try discovered nothing however internet, serving because the proverbial dagger as Norwell pushed its result in 53-43.
“It was relieving,” O’Hare stated of his triple. “I couldn’t purchase one all day. It was good to see one undergo the web. I noticed my teammates, and I used to be like, ‘After all, that one goes to go in.’ ”
Nick Fein completed with 11 factors for the Clippers, with Adams scoring 9 factors. After coping with accidents earlier within the season, fellow senior captain Jack Luccarelli additionally got here by means of within the clutch for Norwell with an eight-point efficiency.
Comman drained 12 factors to steer Rockland, whereas Ngnintoundem added 10 factors for the Bulldogs.
“Simply take it sport by sport,” Willis stated. “Get ready for our subsequent one. These guys know that. Lots of them are multi-sport athletes, so that they know the deal. Can’t look forward. Hopefully, we are able to hold some momentum going.”
