Rhode Island High School Basketball - West Warwick crushes Westerly
February 14, 2012: West Warwick, RI 02893 West Warwick Wizards (West Warwick, RI) backers were in high spirits Tuesday as they witnessed their basketball squad bounce the visiting Westerly Bulldogs (Westerly, RI), 85-60 in a league bout.
With the win, West Warwick upgrades its record to 19-2 on the season. The Wizards host Chariho (Wood River Junction, RI) to face the Chargers in a Division II - South game on Friday, February 17. The Chargers enter the game with a record of 7-13. Chariho won 62-42 in their recent league game against Narragansett (Narragansett, RI)
With the defeat, Westerly moves to 15-6 on the year. The Bulldogs travel to Narragansett (Narragansett, RI) to face the Mariners in a Division II - South game on Friday, February 17. The Mariners enter the game with a record of 9-11. Narragansett lost 62-42 in their recent league game against Chariho (Wood River Junction, RI)
Second Quarter
In a critical showdown between the top two teams in Division II-South, West Warwick used a variety of defenses to jump out to a 41-21 lead over the Bulldogs of Westerly.
Defensively, the Wizards received great efforts from Sophomore Austin Paygai and Junior Chris Antonaccio, who had the task of shutting down the state's second leading scorer, Austin Cilley (22.1 ppg). Paygai and Antonaccion, who rotated throughout the first half, held Cilley (state leading 77 three pointers) to only 7 first half points.
Offensively, the Wizards received 15 points from Ryan Lawton and 9 points from Bradley Young.
Fourth Quarter
Although the Bulldogs of Westerly made offensive and defensive adjustments in the second half, they could not overcome a 20 point deficit and lost to the Wizards, 85-60.
West Warwick (19-2), who finished as co-champions with the Bulldogs last year, clinched the Division II-South title with the win.
The Wizards, who are 15-1 in conference play, need one more win to clinch the Division II Regular Season (State) Championship.
Leading the way for the Wizards were John Morrison (24 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), Ryan Lawton (23 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 assists), Kody Greenhalgh (13 points), Brad Young (9 points), Cory Thibault (6 points and 7 rebounds), and Chris Antonaccio (6 points).
Wizards Milestones:
Senior John Morrison surpassed the "200" mark for made three pointers with five three pointers.
Senior Ryan Lawton moved to within three rebounds of becoming the second Wizard to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in his career.
