Warriors explode offensively in third quarter to post first win of season
JOHN EVANGELISTA scored a team high 19 points including five three-pointers. The senior guard also had seven steals in Wakefield’s 69-49 triumph over Wilmington on Friday night at Wilmington High School. (Keith Curtis File Photo)
Published in the January 9, 2017 edition.
WILMINGTON — The Wakefield Memorial High boys’ basketball team has been close to earning its first victory of the season. On Friday night, the Warriors broke into the win column in a big way.
The Warriors routed Wilmington by 20 points as they posted a 69-49 triumph at Wilmington High School to increase their record to 1-4 on the season.
Wakefield had perhaps its best defensive and offensive quarters which played pivotal role in the victory.
The Warriors trailed 21-18 after the first quarter, but then had a terrific defensive frame in the second, holding to the Wildcats to six points. Wakefield scored 16 points itself and led 34-27 at the break.
Wakefield broke out offensively in the third quarter and outscored the Wildcats, 27-10, to pretty much put the game away. The Warriors went to their bench for the final quarter with the lead being so large.
Senior captain Kobey Nadeau was back for his second game, albeit playing limited minutes. The forward was very efficient during that time as he scored 17 points, had seven rebounds, two steals, and two assists. The senior played about 14 to 15 minutes total and was 6-for-9 from the floor with one three-pointer. He also was 4-for-4 from the foul line.
The leading scorer for Wakefield was senior guard John Evangelista. Evangelista netted 19 points including five three-point shots as he shot 5-for-7 from behind the arc. The senior also was 6-for-9 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the foul line. Evangelista had two rebounds and an assist as well.
Senior captain Alex McKenna also had a very good game as he recorded 18 points. He also had seven steals, five of which came in the decisive third quarter. The senior guard/forward also had five rebounds and five assists.
Head Coach Brad Simpson also wanted to compliment the play of Max Hinchey and Jack Shannon, both juniors, off the bench. They helped out with Evangelista in foul trouble and having to sit for most of the second quarter. Shannon also helped fill in with Nadeau’s minutes being limited.
“It was a good game, all 11 kids got to play,” said Simpson. “It was good to get a win. We’ve been knocking on the door. In the third period, we really came together offensively. Our defense was also good in that quarter.”
Wakefield will look to make it two wins in a row when it takes on rival Melrose tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Gymnasium. The time of the game has been changed since the varsity boys’ and girls’ teams will now play a one-site doubleheader. The girls’ game is at 7 p.m. following the boys.
