By Sarah McNamara
The Mashpee Boys basketball team lost 70-62 at the TD Garden Monday March 12 after a hard-fought battle against Pope John.
The game was close, with the Falcons trailing their opponents from Dorchester by single digit points for the majority of the game, even taking a one point lead late in the fourth quarter. The loss ended the team's season after a historic playoff run, reaching the state semi-finals and getting to play in the Garden for the first time in school history.
The Mashpee Boys basketball team lost 70-62 at the TD Garden Monday March 12 after a hard-fought battle against Pope John.
The game was close, with the Falcons trailing their opponents from Dorchester by single digit points for the majority of the game, even taking a one point lead late in the fourth quarter. The loss ended the team's season after a historic playoff run, reaching the state semi-finals and getting to play in the Garden for the first time in school history.
Pope John came out hot, making big plays and dominating rebounds utilizing their height. The Mashpee boys played strong defense but had numerous turnovers on offense, which made scoring difficult. Senior captain Michael Fraser took several charges, which helped the Falcons gain back possessions. As the Falcons trailed 13 to 19, Fraser hit a buzzer beater three to limit Pope John’s lead to three points after the first quarter.
The second and third quarter had the same type of energy. The Falcons trailed but remained competitive in the game. The Tigers were very dominant on the boards and kept finishing on offensive putbacks. As big men Anthony Gonsalves and Michael Barrows got into their groove Mashpee began to make a comeback. At the end of the third quarter the score was 51 to 49 as Mashpee had limited the deficit to just two points.
In the fourth quarter Mashpee boys began to control the game. Big plays by Devaun Ford and Michael Fraser put the Falcons back in the game. The fourth quarter looked hopeful as the Tigers best player looked as if he had a game ending injury.
The Falcons capitalized on this time and were able to take the lead, 61-60. Number eleven, the leading scorer, then returned to the game bringing momentum back to Pope John. Foul trouble hurt the Falcons for much of the fourth quarter with Pope John shooting in the double bonus. Pope John then solidified their lead and took the game with a score of 70-62.
The second and third quarter had the same type of energy. The Falcons trailed but remained competitive in the game. The Tigers were very dominant on the boards and kept finishing on offensive putbacks. As big men Anthony Gonsalves and Michael Barrows got into their groove Mashpee began to make a comeback. At the end of the third quarter the score was 51 to 49 as Mashpee had limited the deficit to just two points.
In the fourth quarter Mashpee boys began to control the game. Big plays by Devaun Ford and Michael Fraser put the Falcons back in the game. The fourth quarter looked hopeful as the Tigers best player looked as if he had a game ending injury.
The Falcons capitalized on this time and were able to take the lead, 61-60. Number eleven, the leading scorer, then returned to the game bringing momentum back to Pope John. Foul trouble hurt the Falcons for much of the fourth quarter with Pope John shooting in the double bonus. Pope John then solidified their lead and took the game with a score of 70-62.