This past weekend marked the start of the 2017-2018 Westford Rec Basketball season. Two days full of games allowed for some great battles including a game that went into overtime, an 18 point 2nd half comeback, and a day of 3-pointers for Anish Venkatesh. An early MVP candidate also dropped 35 points. Here is how it went down.

UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs: 54

Fort Wayne Mastodons: 35

In the first game of the 2017-2018 rec basketball season, senior Will Atkins got off to a hot start scoring 13 points in the first half to build a seven point lead for the Banana Slugs. Atkins kept his foot on the pedal in the second half scoring 8 points, and this along with a strong defensive performance got the Banana Slugs a win. It wasn’t all negative for the Mastodons; however, as senior Alex Mondro got to the line 3 times and dropped 13 points.

Saint Louis Billikens: 59

Webster Gorloks: 49

Senior Derek Jones went off in his first game of the season, dropping 35 all over the Gorloks and proving he is not just a good soccer player. Venkatesh also chipped in with 3 treys. The Gorloks definitely have potential however, as senior Brian McNeil dropped 15 with 4 3-pointers and senior Cam Tierney dropped 19.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers: 51 F/OT

University of Idaho Vandals: 49

The first game to go to overtime this season was a tale of two seniors. Senior Jesse McLaughlin scored 20 points, consistently making athletic drives into the lane and also knocking down three 3-pointers. Senior Marcus Njorogeh played well for the Vandals scoring 16 points and making an early case for Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) by swatting Chanticleers shots left and right. In the end it was not enough, as junior Cam Cielakie scored the winning basket in OT to get the Chanticleers the win.

Stetson Hatters: 61

Texas A&M International Dustdevils:  22

The Dustdevils were missing some of their best players in senior Jason Dolan and sophomore Jason Fitzgerald for this game, and the Hatters showed them no mercy. Seniors Matthew Robertson and Chris Delouchrey dropped 16 points apiece for Stetson. Robertson used his height to get a lot of buckets underneath, and Delouchrey’s shooting and crazy hops proved too much for the Dustdevils defense. Hopefully Dolan and Fitzgerald will be back for the next game to give some help to Mike Riccardi, who dropped eight points in this game.

Wichita State Shockers: 54

Akron Zips: 35

A team effort from the Shockers got them off to a 12 point lead after the first half. The Shockers got scoring from everyone having five players score 4 or more points in the first half. Junior Matt Laverdure tried his best to bring the Zips back into it in the second half splashing 3 3-pointers along with going 2/4 at the stripe. It was not enough however, as Sophomore Dennis Scannell dropped 7 points in the second half alone to seal a win for Wichita.

Evansville Purple Aces:49

Campbell Fighting Camels:  40

This game was another battle of seniors which saw Shray Gurtata of Evansville and Ryan Wasylyshyn of Campbell have an intriguing head to head battle. Wasylyshyn dropped 14 points going 4/6 from the free throw line and Gurtata dropped 18 points including 14 in the first half. The Purple Aces were only up four heading into the second half, but pulled away as Wasylyshyn got into foul trouble. Sophomore Paul Peruzzi and senior Berke Belge also dropped 6 each in the 2nd half to help the Purple Aces to grab a win in their first game of the season.

Wichita State Shockers: 54

UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs: 53

In one of the best games of the young season, the Shockers found themselves down 18 points after the first half. Senior Will Atkins had dominated scoring 17 points for the Banana Slugs. However, the Shockers came roaring back in the second half with 11 points from junior Tim Loosigian, 6 Points from junior Justin Dulczewski, and some great team defence to keep Will Atkins at only four points in the second half. Wichita eked out a one point win with a game winning 3 from Nick Furness and became the first team to two wins this season.

Webster Gorloks: 58

Evansville Purple Aces: 49

The Gorloks bounced back from a tough loss Sunday on Monday night to hand Evansville their first loss of the season. Senior Cam Tierney impressed with 18 points. The McNeil brothers also came in clutch as Brian had 14 points on perfect shooting from the line, and Sophomore Owen had 10. The Purple Aces had chances getting to the line for 25 foul shots. However, they only knocked down 12 of them for a team percentage of 48%.

Performances of The Week

Seniors

Juniors

Sophomore

        Standings After Week One