Charlie Breitrose
Watertown sophomore guard Vondre Chase shoots over two Lynnfield defenders in the North Section Semifinal win Wednesday night.
WILMINGTON – Watertown High School’s basketball team kept its cool in the frenzied atmosphere of the MIAA Div. 3 North Section Semifinal, played tough defense and hit key shots down the stretch to defeat Lynnfield 58-46 Wednesday night.
The gym at Wilmington High School was packed with rabid fans for both squads, and after overcoming an early deficit, the top-seeded Raiders (20-2) built off a narrow first quarter lead to hold off the fourth-seeded Pioneers (18-5).
“It was just an incredible defensive effort, it was exhausting,” Watertown head coach Steve Harrington said. “The game was a grind, which is how we have to make the game at times.”
Down 10-4 in the middle of the first quarter Watertown ran off eight points, with three pointers from sophomore guard Vondre Chase and junior point guard Julio Fulcar, and another hoop from senior forward Jayden Hairston.
Charlie Breitrose
Watertown junior point guard Julio Fulcar lead the Raiders in scoring against Lynnfield.
The Raider established a 10-point, late second quarter lead when Chase made a basket and was fouled. He sank the ensuing free throw. The Pioneers, however, would not go away, and a three pointer at the end of the half by senior forward Louis Ellis trimmed the lead to five.
Staying close in the third quarter, Lynnfield narrowed the lead to just six when senior forward Michael Carangelo scored and was fouled. He missed the free throw, and Watertown’s Fulcar drove for a layup and was fouled with 0.6 left in the half. He sank the freebie to make it Raiders 35, Pioneers 26.
“That was huge!” Harrington said.
Watertown junior center John Korte fights past a Lynnfield player in the North Section Semifinal.
The fourth quarter was foul filled, and the Raiders took advantage of theirs. Watertown scored 11 of its 23 points in the final period from the stripe, with Fulcar going seven of eight from the free throw line.
Four came at a key moment. Lynnfield junior guard William Arsenault had just hit a three pointer to narrow the gap to seven, and during the loud celebration from the Pioneer fans Fulcar was fouled while dribbling down the court. After the foul he continued toward the basket and Lynnfield junior forward Daniel Jameson bumped him.
Watertown’s Chase followed behind closely, got up next to Jameson and held his arms out to question why he had done that. Jameson shoved Chase in the chest and was called for a technical foul. Fulcar sank the two free throws from the technical foul and then the two from the original foul to extend the Raiders lead to 55-44.
Charlie Breitrose
Watertown senior forward Jayden Hairston had some key rebounds in the State Tournament win over Lynnfield.
Fulcar had a game high 24 points, and Watertown center – and Middlesex League MVP – junior John Korte finished with 17 points after being held scoreless in the first quarter and having only three at halftime. Chase scored seven.
Harrington credited the play of his other starters – Hairston and senior forward Isaac Huff.
“The kids gave all out efforts,” Harrington said. “Isaac making the three in the first half and then Hairston on the boards was incredible. It was an incredible effort by those guys. I don’t think I’ve seen much better.”
Charlie Breitrose
Watertown’s John Korte takes on an aggressive Lynnfield defense in front of a packed Wilmington High School gym in the North Section Semifinal.
Watertown’s coach credited Lynnfield for making the Raiders play a solid game to advance in the MIAA State Tournament.
“They did a good job, they knew what our strengths were and they took them away. John (Korte) had to step out to the perimeter and make some threes,” Harrington said. “Similar to how we play when we have to, we played possession to possession – we don’t play as randomly as maybe some other teams play. It’s exhausting to play that way.”
The Raiders advance to the North Section Final against Bedford (17-6) on Saturday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at Burlington High School.