Crusaders Bounce Back!
Groton-Dunstable rebounded from its disappointing overtime loss to Westborough last Friday to defeat a feisty Marlborough team, 44-36 in Midland B action.
Against Westborough (8-7, 8-0), GD had jumped out to a 17-2 first quarter lead before the Rangers stormed back trailing 29-24 at the half. With 10 seconds remaining in regulation, Dan Orlando hit a jumper to knot the score at 51-51 and then drained the game winning foul shots in overtime.
"That really hurt," said Groton-Dunstable coach Greg Gillette.
Corey Romich (23 pts.), Drew Moore (10 pts.) and Scott Scaplar (10 pts.) led the Crusaders' scoring.
GD was not going to let that happen against Marlborough (2-13) and led start to finish. It was not a clinic but rather a very good defensive effort and shooting 18 for 26 from the foul line that made the difference. Marlborough was four for 10.
The Panthers actually made 16 field goals to 10 for GD but the disparity at the free throw line was where the game was won for Groton-Dunstable (7-8, 6-3).
First quarter offense from Gavin Keough (4 pts.), Romich (3 pts.), Drew Moore (2 pts.) and Matt Tornaritis (1 pt.) had GD ahead, 10-8 at the first break. Joe Cappadona (8 pts.) sank a pair of foul shots starting the second before the locals, highlighted by an Eric Parsons trey, outscored Marlborough 13-2, to take a 23-12 halftime lead.
Always enjoyable watching Matt Tornaritis develop as a point guard. "Matt also bailed us out offensively and is becoming a good leader, almost an extension of the coach on the court," shared Gillette.
GD went ahead 27-18 midway through the third stanza when Tornaritis drove the lane and with a very athletic, acrobatic move, switched and finished with his left hand. Gillette agreed that he could have "thought" about doing that move 20 years ago!
Despite a less than impressive won-loss record, Marlborough, a young team, is well coached and hung around. At the end of the third, they trailed by six, 28-22.
The Crusaders advantage stayed between six and eight/nine points the rest of the way. Buckets by Liam Shannahan and Brian Short kept the Panthers in the game but when Tornaritis did another of his driving, twisting lay-ups, to the fans delight, it was desperation time for the visitors.
Gavin Keough hit a pair of freebies and with time running out, Marlborough, forced to foul, picked the wrong person. Corey Romich went eight for eight in the closing minutes to seal the win.
Brian Short (9 pts.) and Joe Cappadona (8 pts.) led Marlborough while Matt Keough (12 pts.), Cory Romich (11 pts.) and Matt Tornaritis (7 pts.) led the Crusaders scoring.
Once again, Gillette gets his bench involved getting help from Bobby Flanagan, Matt Werner and Cedric Wirta before he went out with an ankle injury. "Really good minutes from Ronnie (Peck)," Gillette said.
"We did not shoot or rebound particularly well but we played good defense and got the "W"," he concluded.
