Varsity Basketball beats Wayland 75-43
December 19, 2015
The Westford Academy varsity basketball team won 75-43 against the Wayland Warriors Friday, December 18 in their second game of the season.
This is a hopeful turning point for WA after their eleven point loss against the Wachusett High’s Mountaineers three days ago during their opening game.
Prior to tip-off, Head Coach Chris Bramanti was looking for his team to respond after a loss a few nights back.
“I’m anxious to see how they respond from our loss the other night. I want to be able to see if they’ll raise the intensity level, if they’ll compete at a higher level. We’ve got a lot of work to do tonight […] we’ve got to get back on track,” said Bramanti.
Inside the main gym, a profound energy emanated through the bleachers, informing everyone, near or far, that the game was about to begin. The WA pep band served as a medium for this powerful anticipation, as the Wayland Warriors came in, being welcomed by a loud booing from the white-shirted, lively flock of Grey Ghost fans, mobbed together in an otherwise empty bleacher.
A deafening wave of screaming, dancing, jumping, crashed through the barricades of “calm and collective” as the WA Grey Ghosts made their way in.
Any pre-existing lack of assurance in the abilities of the team vanished within the first four minutes of the game, as one two point and one three point shot was made by the Grey Ghosts. Followed a two pointer by Captain Nicholas Fiorillo, a three pointer delivered by Guard John Glidden, and rebound shots from captains Patrick Coffey and Bobby Hartman.
By the end of the first quarter, WA was up 14-6.
The Grey Ghosts would keep this lead through the second quarter, and by halftime they led Wayland by a score of 33-24
By the third quarter, the Warriors played more and more aggressively, allowing Captain Scotty Callahan to make a total of six fouls shots. Along with this, John Glidden scored a three point shot early on, while Fiorillo made a final three point shot four seconds before the buzzer. The score was 61-37 by end of the third quarter.
Going by faster than ever, the crowd began singing “Nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey goodbye!” through the final quarter, while WA continued to defend their lead. Eric Jacobson collected two rebounds while he, Coffey, and Jason Hughes made a few three point shots.
The game came to a close with senior captain Bobby Hartman dribbling the ball up side to side for the last five seconds of the fourth quarter, waiting for the buzzer to bring him and his team a well-earned victory against Wayland.
Coach Bramanti spoke with a relaxed, jolly tone after his team collected their first win of the season.
“I was very happy how they responded from a tough loss last week. They came out with a lot of energy, and they competed. Wayland’s tough, and they stunted us a little bit, but we moved the ball and got some shots that we wanted,” said Bramanti.
