AMHERST — Putnam freshman Taelon Martin rose for a dunk over Amherst Regional’s John Bella-Hunter and finished through a foul.
He brought the Beavers’ energy level up with him with 6 minutes, 20 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
It tied Friday’s Western Massachusetts Division 1 boys basketball title game at 28, and Martin gave Putnam the lead back with a free throw.
“It definitely swung the momentum,” Amherst senior Devonte’ McCall said. “When you dunk on someone right in front of their crowd it can definitely sway the motion of the game.”
No. 1 Putnam picked up its intensity after Martin’s dunk and pushed past No. 3 Amherst, 61-51, at UMass’ Curry Hicks Cage for the Beavers’ fourth consecutive sectional title.
The two-time defending state champions also beat Amherst last season in the Division 1 final.
“I’ve been here twice, and it sucks,” Bella-Hunter said. “Next year we’re going to work hard, we’re going to remember this feeling. We’re going to use this as motivation to come back and win.”
Putnam (21-2) will play Central Mass. champion St. John’s of Shrewsbury on Tuesday in Worcester in the state semifinals.
The Beavers regained control of Friday’s Western Mass. final with an inspired third quarter.
They outscored Amherst 21-12 in that frame.
The Hurricanes held a 14-9 lead after the first quarter and a 25-23 advantage at the half.
“We came out with the energy and the intensity we needed,” Amherst coach Jim Matuszko said.
Amherst (17-6) attacked the Putnam zone that stymied it in a 61-37 loss in December by getting the ball to Bella-Hunter in the high post.
He scored six points in the first quarter and finished with 11 to go along with 10 rebounds.
“Most of our 2-3, 3-2 offense is high-low, so we wanted to change it up. We tried to spread the guards and the forwards around the perimeter and have them slash toward the middle to get some movement in our offense and make their defense move around,” Bella-Hunter said. “The second half we lost our energy. They made some runs, and we couldn’t stop them.”
Foul trouble played its part.
Bella-Hunter and Amherst point guard Tajahn Joyner sat near the end of the first half and in the second half because of fouls.
“Foul trouble killed us throughout the playoffs and throughout the year,” Bella-Hunter said. “Our bench actually brought a lot of energy, and that helped us stay with them.”
Angelo Jackson stepped in at the lead guard position and banked in a jumper during the first half for his two points, while center Lanre Thomas added two of his own in relief of Bella-Hunter in the pivot.
Putnam dealt with its own foul trouble, too.
Tyonne Malone, who scored a game-high 18 points, picked up his second foul with 2:30 left in the first quarter. He added a third foul at 7:19 of the third quarter and his fourth with 7:13 remaining in the game.
McCall tried to attack Malone when the Putnam senior defended him but couldn’t force No. 5.
“He’s a smart player. He knew not to pick up another one,” McCall said. “He was going straight up.”
McCall led Amherst with 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds, several on the offensive end that led directly to putbacks.
His frontcourt running mate, junior Meikkel Murray, also caused Putnam trouble on the offensive glass.
He grabbed six rebounds and finished with 11 points.
“They kept getting second-chance shots,” Putnam’s Martin said. “That’s why they were in the game the whole time.”
Putnam didn’t build a double-digit lead until a Keiayvin Hayes layup put the Beavers up 57-47 with 1:56 remaining.
Amherst had the game in single digits with 5:06 remaining after a Will Budington 3 pulled the Hurricanes to 48-45.
That’s as close as they would get the rest of the way as Luqman Abdur-Rauf answered with a 3 of his own on the next Putnam possession.
Friday’s loss marked the final career game for Amherst seniors McCall, Jackson and Thomas.
The Hurricanes will bring back 12 of the 15 players from the finals, including Bella-Hunter and Murray.
“They’re great. They’re going to be here next year,” McCall said. “I guarantee you they’ll be back on this floor next year hopefully hoisting the trophy.”
Putnam 61, Amherst Regional 51
Hurricanes (17-6
Joyner 1-0-2, Budington 3-0-8, Bella-Hunter 5-1-11, McCall 7-0-15, Murray 5-1-11, Jackson 1-0-2, Thomas 1-0-2, Rietkerk 0-0-0. Totals. 23-2-51.
Beavers (21-2)
Abdur-Rauf 6-0-15, Hayes 6-1-13, Kearney 1-2-4, Malone 6-4-18, Martin 2-2-6, Thomas 2-0-5. Totals: 23-9-61.
|
Amherst |
14 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
— |
51 |
|
Putnam |
9 |
14 |
21 |
17 |
— |
61 |
3-Pointers—Amherst 3 (Budington 2, McCall), Putnam 6 (Abdur-Rauf 3, Malone 2, Thomas)