By Russ Waterman
MaxPreps.com
It was classic up-tempo basketball, featuring shots hoisted at the hoop every 15 seconds or so and a flurry of fast break layups made on both sides.
By the time the high-flying game ended between familiar interstate Division 1 foes, Mt. Pleasant (Providence, R.I.) held on to defeat visiting Sci-Tech (Springfield), 82-74, despite a triple-double: 28 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocked shots, by 6-foot-2 junior Theo Robinson.
Forward Frank Robinson had 21 points and point Billy Soriano added 20 and several assists for the Kilties.
"I think Mt. Pleasant is the best team we will play in the regular season," third-year Sci-Tech coach Paul Scoville said.
Scoville is poised to direct the CyberCats program toward greater heights this season following last year's playoff-qualifying campaign, its first since 1999.
The talent, experience and commitment the Cybercat athletes have made to become better students, athletes and competitors is already producing results.
"I had to teach them to how to develop self-discipline," Scoville said, recalling a rocky first year.
Playing in a 12-team fall league in New Britain, Conn., he says, also helped them bond more strongly together.
Sci-Tech has 10 returnees from last season's 13-8 squad including seniors Jahsohn Ward, Shawn McCleary, Kadar Lynch, Jordan Malone, Derick Miles, Jason Marshall and Denroy Banks. Juniors Theo Robinson, Tyron Wiggins and Chris Malone are also strong contributors on a deep squad. Arthur Williams and Denzel Washington will also be contributors.
Three members from the Western Massachusetts semifinal football squad – Wiggins, McCleary and Arthur Williams – add a winning attitude.
Left-handed point guard Chrys Malone, Western Massachusetts 100-meter sprint champion, combines his blazing speed with an excellent handle and unselfish distributing abilities to make this squad perhaps the most lethal fast-break attack in the entire state.
Robinson, who dominated inside against the Rhode Island players despite giving up two to three inches is the best player in the league in Scoville’s mind.
“You wouldn't believe how much he has improved since he first started playing for me. He can also shoot the ball well out to 15 feet or more now,” Scoville said.
Other Western Massachusetts action
East Longmeadow hosted and won the Spartan Classic, 55-54, over Central behind 21 points by Dan Martin.
Junior Andre King (38 points) and freshman Kamali Bey (24) of Sabis combined for more points than Taconic had overall in a 73-57 win by the Bulldogs over the Braves to capture the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic title at Sabis in Springfield.
Double-double efforts by Khalid Ibrahim (14 points and 10 assists) and Justin Reid, transitioning as a gridiron star to the hardwood with 11 points and 12 steals, led Putnam to a 55-49 victory over Hoosac Valley.
Eastern Massachusetts
Senior Hanell Valez helped Woburn open up its season on a winning note with an 18-point effort in a 78-63 home win over Stoneham
Senior All-Scholastic guard Rodney Beldo of Scituate scored 20 points for the defending Division 3 South Sectional champions, to go along with 18 points and 10 rebounds by 7-footer Andrew McCarthy and 14 points and 22 rebounds by Anthony Parham in the Sailors' 84-57 victory over Quincy.
Craig Marriro scored 19 points and 6-8 junior center Greg Kelley added 16 points and seven rebounds for Newton North in a 71-47 win against Norwood.
Central Massachusetts
Brandon Forcier barely finished playing an undefeated Super Bowl football title season for Tantasqua when he stepped onto the court for the two-time defending champion Central Massachusetts Division 2 basketball squad, scoring a game-high total of 31 points, including seven three-pointers in the Warriors' 82-70 triumph over Northbridge.
Hopkinton's Stephen Hrusovsky had 35 points to top all scorers in a 85-68 win over Bellingham.
St. John's, defending Central Massachusetts Division 1 champion, lost twice in the Gonzaga DC Classic, including a 54-42 consolation loss to Mount St. Joseph’s (Md.), Baltimore Catholic League champions. Matt LaBove, a Dartmouth-bound 6-9 senior center, led the Pioneers with 13 points. Junior teammate David White adding 12.
