TAUNTON — Taunton showed no ill effects from having just one day of practice heading into its biggest matchup of the year.
Trent Santos recorded 22 points, seven assists and six rebounds as the Tigers held off a second-half flurry from Mansfield to knock off the previously unbeaten Hornets, 72-66, on Sunday at Rabouin Field House.
The Tigers, who had just one day of practice coming into the game due to a COVID-19 layoff, showed no signs of rust as they used their length, quickness, and strength to hold the lead for most of the game. Joining Santos in the Tigers’ attack were Josh Lopes (13 points) and Tyler Stewart (12 points, 22 rebounds). Mansfield (12-1) standout Matthew Boen finished with 31 points to creep within 15 points of 1,000 for his career.
“I was really afraid of a rust factor but that did not happen,” Taunton coach Charlie Dacey said. “Our kids came out and really played hard and we have a safety insurance policy in Tyler underneath.”
The Tigers (6-0) dominated the Hornets on the glass, corralling 18 offensive rebounds and finishing the game with a 42-26 advantage.
“As much as you want to practice to simulate this type of team it’s hard to do. Taunton is loaded with talent,” Mansfield coach Mike Vaughan said. “Often we come out in the first quarter and we’re shocking the other team with how quickly we move the ball and get shots off and I think today they shocked us, like ‘wow they’re legit.'”
The Tigers raced to a 38-29 lead at the half, but Mansfield used some aggressive defense to go with a red-hot Boen on offense to get back in the game. A Chris Hull layup pulled the Hornets within eight and moments later Boen caught an outlet pass in mid-air and laid it in to pull the Hornets within 47-44. Boen then got hot from behind the arc knocking down consecutive 3-pointers before Matt Hyland buried one of his own to put Mansfield on top late in the third.
Taunton, however, retook the lead before the frame expired with Tristan Herry and Josh Lopes each converting at the basket to give the Tigers a 53-52 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Behind Santos the Tigers stretched their lead as the guard buried a corner 3 off inside-out action from Stewart to put Taunton up 63-56 with 4:19 remaining.
Boen tried to keep Mansfield on the doorstep, getting as close as 65-63 with less than three minutes to play. But the Tigers never relinquished the lead as Faisal Mass connected on one at the charity stripe before finishing a layup after they broke the press to put Taunton back up five and quell Mansfield’s final spurt.
“This team maintains confidence, they believe in each other, and they have a good chemistry,” Dacey said. “That’s nothing that I can manipulate, they just have natural trust in each other on the court.”
The teams have a rematch Monday (6 p.m.) in Mansfield.
"Give" - Google News
February 15, 2021 at 06:51AM
https://ift.tt/3b6L9yj
Taunton boys give Mansfield first loss - Boston Herald
"Give" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YqGX80
https://ift.tt/2YquBwx
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Taunton boys give Mansfield first loss - Boston Herald"
Post a Comment