Charlie Breitrose
Watertown seniors John Korte, right, Wenston Rodriguez, center, and Julio Fulcar wear the #SLEEPER T-shirts after coming out of the game with a big lead over Essex Tech in the First Round tournament win.
The Watertown High School boys basketball team came out for warmups for the first round State Tournament game Tuesday night wearing shirts emblazoned with “#SLEEPER.” After the 77-32 win over Essex Tech, however, it will hard for opponents not to take notice of the Raiders.
Senior center John Korte said the shirts were inspired by Boston Herald high school sports writer Danny Ventura, who called the Raiders a sleeper in the MIAA Div. 3 North bracket.
“It was kind of a fireback, because we think we are the best team in D3 North and we wanted to show that, like we did tonight,” Korte said. “And, also, I feel like outside Watertown people don’t really believe in us to be able to go very far –especially with the seventh seed.”
The Raiders hit the floor like they were on a mission and jumped out to an 18-0 lead. Essex Tech got its first point on a free throw with just over 2:30 left in the first quarter, which was answered with a three pointer by freshman guard Gabe Spinelli. By halftime, Watertown had taken out its starters and had eclipsed the 50 point mark, leading 51-14.
Charlie Breitrose
Watertown senior guard Wenston Rodriguez led the Raiders with 19 points in the victory in the First Round Div. 3 North game on Tuesday.
Watertown head coach Steve Harrington said game went as planned.
“Our defense led to offense,” Harrington said. “Once we made a few three point shots it separated the game quickly and ultimately it was what we did on defense.”
The starting lineup returned for the beginning of the second half, but Harrington pulled them with three minutes left in the third. The quarter ended 61-17. The reserves held their own, and walked away with a 45-point win.
“Sixteen guys played for us tonight,” Harrington said. “If this is our last home game it was nice for guys to get in there and finish off the home schedule.”
Senior guard Wenston Rodriguez was the Raiders’ leading scorer with 19 points, a point more than Korte, who scored on three pointers, free throws and two slam dunks.
“It’s the playoffs. I tried to take my game to the next level,” Rodriguez said.
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Senior center John Korte goes in for a second half slam dunk against Essex Tech on Tuesday.
In all, 11 Watertown players contributed to the victory. Jose Taveras led Essex Tech with 12 points.
Next up for the Raiders will be the winner of Wednesday’s game between second seeded Lynnfield and 15th seeded Swampscott. Barring a major upset, Watertown will travel to Lynnfield for the North quarterfinal on Saturday, March 3, at 7 p.m.
“We played Lynnfield last year. That will be a very tough test,” Harrington said.
Last season, the Raiders beat Lynnfield by 12 points in the North Section semifinal.
See more game photos in the gallery below:
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Watertown senior Guard Julio Fulcar drives to the basket in the Raiders' victory in the Div. 3 North tournament.
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Raiders' forward Mosab Amleh, a senior, drives to the basket against Essex Tech.
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Defense helped the Raiders win the first round game against Essex Tech. Here junior guard Chris Iannetta, left, and junior guard Nick McDermott apply the pressure.
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Watertown freshman guard Gabe Spinelli drives to the hoop in the Raiders' first round tournament game against Essex Tech.
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Watertown junior forward Yoseph Hamad scores a basket against Essex Tech in Tuesday's tourney game.
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Watertown senior guard Sephon Chiloyan shoots the ball in the State Tournament game against Essex Tech.
Charlie Breitrose
Senior forward Robert Danielian lays one up for Watertown in the victory in the first round of the State Tournament.