EASTHAMPTON — Sabis used a strong second quarter run to pull away from the Easthampton boys basketball team 66-49 on the road Wednesday night. The Bulldogs (14-4) continued their run as one of the top teams in Division 3 with the big win, but the defending champion Eagles (12-6) put forth a strong effort and aren’t discouraged with the loss heading into the season’s stretch run.
“We were worried about competing. A couple games earlier in the year we didn’t compete well and (Wednesday) I thought that we fought the entire time, and we didn’t back down,” Easthampton coach Brian Miller said. “I thought we got good looks on offense, other than one stretch in the middle where we didn’t play so well, but I think it gave us a little bit of confidence that we can play with them for sure.”
Easthampton held a lead for a good portion of the first quarter, slowing the Bulldogs offense down and forcing outside shots in their 2-3 zone. Though it wasn’t long before Sabis turned things around with their full-court pressure and up-tempo style of play, which led to turnovers easy run-outs.
“They dictated how we played,” Miller said. “We had to pack it in for their size, and then when they were able to speed us up. Against them you have to play a little bit slower and handle that ball-pressure.”
The game started to get away from the Eagles in the second quarter. Sabis extended its lead to double-figures. The momentum of the game shifted following Sabis player hanging on the rim following a missed dunk and an ensuing three-point play. The sequence fueled the Bulldogs’ energy, as they ended the half on a 15-3 run. Meanwhile, Easthampton picked up two technical fouls while Miller was pleading his teams’ case, adding to the run.
“Most of the time we have second quarter slumps,” senior forward Ronan Mottor said. “But we just need to keep playing hard, keep fighting.”
The win extended Sabis’ win streak to nine, as the Bulldogs will contend for a top seed in the Division 3 tournament. Nonetheless, this game was an indicator of how the Eagles need to play as they look to make another postseason run.
“We know Sabis is one of the top four teams in Western Mass., and we hung with them for the majority of the game,” Mottor said. “There was a little stretch where we slacked off, but then we picked up the energy and if we play tough then we can keep up with these teams.”
Mottor and fellow senior captain Jack Bacis paced the Eagles with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Even following the loss, the captains emphasized that the team’s singular goal.
“This is our last season ever, we’re going to give it everything we’ve got,” Bacis said. “We hope to repeat as Western Mass. champs.”