WA Boys’ Basketball faced a tough opponent, Newton South, on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at WA for their senior night. The players fought hard but lost with a score of 58-54 Newton South. The Boys’ Basketball team’s season record is now 8-7.
WA flooded the court with enthusiasm and energy ready to defend their half. In the first quarter, senior Shreyas Gowda was swiftly gifted the ball by senior Vishal Rampur and scored the first basket of the game, making the score 2-0 WA. However Newton South was quick with the comeback, fighting for the ball with aggressive passion. Senior captain Nate Pitts also demonstrated aggressive defense against the opponents, however Newton South was very quick with the rebounds and passing. WA took their first time out with two minutes left in the quarter while the score was 6-2 Newton South. By the end of the first quarter, Newton South was dominating the scoreboard 14-8.
In the second quarter WA was fighting for a comeback with the sidelines shouting encouraging words and advice to the focused players. There were many turnovers within this quarter, and WA took their second time out with four minutes left on the clock and a score of 24-12 Newton South. Junior Teddy Hirbour made three baskets, two of which were during separate free throws. Hirbour increased the scoreboard to 31-17 Newton South, which was the last point scored for the first half.
After half time it was visible in the game strategy and overall energy of the players that WA wanted to make a comeback and improve on their playing. Coach Christopher Bramanti agreed.
“[The team] played [with] defense, played with passion, enthusiasm, excitement [in the second half], [which they] didn’t have in the first half,” head coach Christopher Bramanti said.
The third quarter was met with great excitement and a drive to win by WA, and after halftime the team braced the court with a new found ambition. WA got more aggressive and meticulous with their passes, however Newton South followed by becoming more belligerent and defensive, in an attempt to ward off WA players. In this quarter seniors Pitts, Rampur, and Chris Butts dominated the court scoring baskets and fighting for the ball causing it to switch possessions frequently. The third quarter ended with the scoreboard reflecting 45-28 in favor of Newton South.
Pitts scored a three pointer increasing the score to 47-31 Newton South at the start of the fourth quarter. Rampur single-handedly scored 12 points in this quarter through six baskets due to foul shots, one three pointer, and other baskets worth the normal two points. WA came back from the point deficit and fought hard to stay in the running.
Newton South called three time outs within the final quarter, all the while the student section was shouting encouraging words at the players cheering them on for their comeback. There was an abundance of turnovers and switching of possessions, especially within the final moments of the game. WA started the quarter at 47-31 Newton South and came out with 56-54 Newton South.
Following the game Bramanti gave insight on what they would be implementing into future practices in response to this game.
“Our passing for one […] if we figure out how we played in the second half it will help us a long way [to be more consistent],” Bramanti said.
The next game of the Boys’ Basketball season is set to be on Friday, Feb. 7 at Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School.
