25 February, 2016
It was win or go home situation for the 9 and 10 Hopkinton Hillers Boys, and a TVL title on the line or the 19 and 2 Westwood Wolverines and both teams laid everything on the line. WARNING: Before you read the game summary, I heavily suggest watching the highlights below, it was perhaps one of the most amazing games in Hillers Sports History!
The first quarter was a shootout as both teams dropped 17 points, Nic Canal created problems for Westwood in the low-post as he put up 4 field goals. Westwoods Charles Bemis however matched Canals total of 8 points in the quarter. The Wolverines contained the Hillers low-post advantage in the 2nd quarter and struck from the floor for 5 field goals to outscore the Hillers 16-11.
Trailing by 4 early in the 3rd quarter, Austin Odell drove into the lane and drew the bonus free throw after landing the layup on his 2nd attempted lay in to put the Hillers within 1 point. The Hillers forced Westwood into early foul trouble and took advantage outscoring the Wolverines 18-13 in the quarter, to trail 46-44 heading into the 4th.
At the start of the 4th quarter, Nic Canal tied the game with a left block jumper and Connor Czerepuszko followed up with a three pointer. Nic Canal then struck again from the low post, helping the Hillers start off the 4th quarter on a 7-0 run. With 19 seconds left, Davonte Higgenbottom put the Wolverines within 1 as he struck for the layup. Czerepusko then drew the intentional foul and put the Hillers up by 2. On the final possession, Westwood's, Reed Wilson missed a 3 point attempt and the Hillers took the stunner 63-61.
Hillers improved to 10 and 10 on the season and clinched a tournament spot and tournament, likely number 1 or 2 seed bound Westwood finishes 19 and 3 overall.
Hillers Scoring:
Nic Canal - 25, Connor Czerepuszko - 16, Cooper Korbey - 3, Jimmy Adams - 2, Austin Odell - 12, Zach Sisitsky - 5
Westwood Scoring:
Tom Rich - 5, Tom Giovino - 2, Charles Bemis - 14, Reed Wilson - 11, Aidan Fitzgibbons - 9, Ian O' Brien - 5, Dylan Linehan - 6, Davonte Higginbottom - 9
