Not all winning streaks are created equal. Some teams go on a roll, pile up the wins, but something may be amiss with regards to their play — and eventually they get exposed. In other instances, and this is where we are with Watertown boys basketball, a team finds its way and puts together an impressive run.
On Jan. 22, the Raiders woke up having lost two in a row including a home loss where Wakefield pushed them around in the second half, and at Winchester where they gave up their high for the season in a 87-62 loss. But, starting on Friday, Jan. 24, with a home win over an at-the-time-undefeated-in-league-play Arlington squad, Watertown went 9-1 the rest of their schedule. And they won playing good basketball, and improving with every game.
So, being seeded ninth in the Division 3 State Tournament was probably lower then Watertown hoped for, but they were probably punished for their early-season struggles. On Friday night they knew they’d play a low seed, either 24th Fairhaven or their eventual foe, the 41st seed Oakmont, who entered the game 10-10 on the season. Watertown took care of business with a solid 54-38 victory. Up next? No. 8 seed Abington on the road.
Watertown played solid defense all night, especially so in the first quarter. They held Oakmont to four points and led 14-4 after one quarter. That lead didn’t come without a scare though. Junior Will Carty limped off the floor in pain with 1:01 in the first. He did something to the bottom of his foot, and he was clearly in pain. After being treated and taped to try and alleviate the pain, Carty re-entered the game with 6:52 left in the second quarter. Not quite himself and clearly not running freely the rest of the night, Carty still managed to squeeze home two baskets on the inside, and got fouled for his troubles. He even converted both free throws and those two three-point plays got Watertown going in the second quarter, to the tune of a 30-to-17 halftime lead.
A lot of trading hoops in the third left Oakmont behind by 15 heading into the fourth. In the fourth, senior Serge Gebeyan got his offense going to the tune of six points. Oakmont threw everything at Watertown, and while it worked from time to time in causing a Watertown turnover, Oakmont just wasn’t capable of converting those opportunities.
Carty led the way for Watertown on the night with 14, while senior Olivier Labossiere chipped in 12. Seniors Aiden Didovich and Serge Gebeyan each had 10. Sonny Dellasanta led Oakmont with 20 points. It was a pretty clean and fast-played game, as officials let the kids play. Neither team even came close to being in the bonus all night long. And so, an away date with No. 9 Abington is up next on Tuesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Abington plays in the Sullivan League and sports a 12-1 league record, 18-5 overall, 10-1 at home, 8-4 on the road, and they average 71.1 and allow 57.5. Kingston Maxwell is a player to watch, as he scored 34 points in their 68-53 Round of 32 win over Nipmuc Friday night.
Coach Steve Harrington is in his 31st season and has played his share of 8 versus 9 games, and will most certainly have his team ready to play. A win over Abington would only bring about more challenges, as in a likely matchup against No. 1 seed St.Mary’s. But, that’s a worry for another day. Friday night, it was a strong win, advancing the Raiders to the Round of 16. A healthy Will Carty and their best game of the season will be the goal as Watertown looks to make it 11 out of their last 12 and a spot in the Eite 8!