By Adam Henschel
Senior Devaun Ford's 32 points are not enough to overcome a balanced Falmouth attack as the Clippers best the Falcons 60-50.
Heading into the season opener, both the Falmouth and Mashpee boys basketball teams had major hype surrounding their star players. Senior guards Duke Melton (Falmouth) and Devaun Ford (Mashpee) were set to lead their teams in the annual rivalry game.
Mashpee's new head coach Justin Clark also sought after his first win in his debut for the Falcons.
Coach Clark will have to wait to net that first win as the Falcons fell short in Friday’s opening night matchup.
Senior Devaun Ford's 32 points are not enough to overcome a balanced Falmouth attack as the Clippers best the Falcons 60-50.
Heading into the season opener, both the Falmouth and Mashpee boys basketball teams had major hype surrounding their star players. Senior guards Duke Melton (Falmouth) and Devaun Ford (Mashpee) were set to lead their teams in the annual rivalry game.
Mashpee's new head coach Justin Clark also sought after his first win in his debut for the Falcons.
Coach Clark will have to wait to net that first win as the Falcons fell short in Friday’s opening night matchup.
From tip off it seemed to be all Mashpee early on. Three pointers from Devaun Ford and Matt Bowen, as well as a fast break layup sparked by a Brett Pells steal had the Falcons out to a 8-0 lead.
However, Falmouth battled back with a put-back from forward Cam Rowel and a quick Melton layup to bring the score to 8-4.
The game turned into a back and forth that saw Ford and Melton going shot for shot until it was 16-15 at the end of the first quarter, with Falmouth taking the narrow lead.
As the second quarter got underway Ford continued his aggressive offensive attack. A flashy step back 3 pointer and a slash to the basket for an and-1 ran up the score for the Falcons.
Falmouth answered quickly, feeding senior forward Anthony Karson in the paint for easy layups. Once Mashpee’s defense tried to stop both Rowel and Karson in the paint, the shooting opened up for the Clippers. Key three pointers from Jack Stewart and Anthony Karson sent Falmouth into the locker room at the half with a 30-24 lead.
Both teams came into the second half pushing the pace. Sophomore guard Timmy Lang found a rhythm hitting two early three's to grow the Falmouth lead. Mashpee’s defense looked lost at times as a barrage of three pointers and consistent scoring down low saw the lead beginning to run away from them.
Mashpee’s offense took several good looks in the second half, but it seemed as nothing would fall. Open layups, ten-foot jumpers, and contested threes all missed the net.
Ford began to bring a little life back into the team with a three pointer, a steal, and a flashy layup in the closing minutes. Yet it proved to be too little too late.
Ford ended the game with 32 of the Falcons 50 points to lead all scorers. Melton led a balanced Falmouth offense with 14 points. The Clippers left with a solid 10 point victory over an inexperienced Mashpee squad, and maintain bragging rights until next year’s matchup.
Final: Falmouth 60, Mashpee 50 (12/14/18)
However, Falmouth battled back with a put-back from forward Cam Rowel and a quick Melton layup to bring the score to 8-4.
The game turned into a back and forth that saw Ford and Melton going shot for shot until it was 16-15 at the end of the first quarter, with Falmouth taking the narrow lead.
As the second quarter got underway Ford continued his aggressive offensive attack. A flashy step back 3 pointer and a slash to the basket for an and-1 ran up the score for the Falcons.
Falmouth answered quickly, feeding senior forward Anthony Karson in the paint for easy layups. Once Mashpee’s defense tried to stop both Rowel and Karson in the paint, the shooting opened up for the Clippers. Key three pointers from Jack Stewart and Anthony Karson sent Falmouth into the locker room at the half with a 30-24 lead.
Both teams came into the second half pushing the pace. Sophomore guard Timmy Lang found a rhythm hitting two early three's to grow the Falmouth lead. Mashpee’s defense looked lost at times as a barrage of three pointers and consistent scoring down low saw the lead beginning to run away from them.
Mashpee’s offense took several good looks in the second half, but it seemed as nothing would fall. Open layups, ten-foot jumpers, and contested threes all missed the net.
Ford began to bring a little life back into the team with a three pointer, a steal, and a flashy layup in the closing minutes. Yet it proved to be too little too late.
Ford ended the game with 32 of the Falcons 50 points to lead all scorers. Melton led a balanced Falmouth offense with 14 points. The Clippers left with a solid 10 point victory over an inexperienced Mashpee squad, and maintain bragging rights until next year’s matchup.
Final: Falmouth 60, Mashpee 50 (12/14/18)