HATFIELD — The first quarter went according to plan for the Smith Academy boys basketball team.
When the ball swishes through the net repeatedly from distance, offense appears seamless.
“We always look good if we make it,” Smith Academy coach Matt Zerneri said. “We don’t look good if we don’t. We live and die by it.”
Hosting the Falcons Winter Classic, Smith Academy beat Gateway 74-11 on Thursday behind 12 makes from the 3-point line.
The Gators were in a zone defense, leading to several open looks for Smith Academy in the early stages of the game.
“It’s always a weapon at Smith Academy,” Zerneri said. “We are comfortable shooting it.”
Carter Woodward’s fiery start for the Falcons gave them a 20-0 lead; the junior hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter.
“Basically we look to shoot early,” Woodward said. “Whoever is open we look to get going. Today, it was me. It could have been Jack (Zigmont), it could have been Brett (Gratz).”
Woodward ended the game with 19 points to lead Smith Academy (2-1).
“All of us can shoot,” Woodward said. “It’s really dangerous.”
Smith Academy knew early on what they had in Woodward, but there is still work to do for the guard.
“If he is open and gets a clean look, we expect him to shoot well,” Zerneri said. “But it’s about the next step when teams are geared to taking that away and how he’s going to counter.”
Zigmont, Smith Academy’s point guard, finished with four points but did an effective job distributing while the Falcons built their lead.
A young and inexperienced Gateway (0-3) team did what it could to stay in the game, but the Gators could not find their rhythm on either end.
“We are going to have nights like this,” Gateway coach Kevin McVeigh said. “Where we can’t put the ball in the ocean.”
Gateway had some decent looks in the first half, mostly from Nathaniel Bushor who can create space with his dribble. The shots just didn’t fall for the Gators.
“I have a good group of kids that will work and learn,” McVeigh said. “We knew the first month would be a struggle. We are trying to learn what we can do and how to play together.”
Bushor, Spenser Buckman, Evan Cortis, John Thompson and Tanner Beebe had field goals for the Gators.
Matt Bouley scored in several different ways for the Falcons, shooting from outside and taking it to the rim in transition. He had 14 points.
Smith Academy’s Brett Gratz had 11 points with two 3-pointers.
The Falcons will plays Southwick in the final of the Falcon Classic on Friday at 7:15 p.m. Southwick defeated Smith Voke 79-35 earlier. Smith Voke and Gateway will play in the consolation game at 5:30 p.m..
Smith Academy 74, Gateway 11
Gateway (0-3)
Bushor 1-0-2, Rioux 0-0-0, Hyjek 0-0-0, Buckman 1-0-2, LaFrenier 0-0-0, Cortis 1-0-2, Krassler 0-0-0. Sakaske 0-0-0, Beebe 0-0-0, Orr 0-0-0, Boissonault 0-1-1, Thompson 0-0-0; Totals 5-1-11
Smith Academy (2-1)
Gratz 4-1-11, Ferrara 3-0-7, Zigmont 2-0-4, Bartlett 0-0-0, Zygmont 2-0-5, Baranoski 3-0-7, Cavanaugh 1-2-5, Moynihan 1-0-2, Woodward 7-0-19, Bouley 5-3-14; Totals 28-6-74
|
Gateway |
0 |
4 |
0 |
7 |
—11 |
|
Smith Academy |
20 |
13 |
20 |
21 |
—49 |
3-Pointers—Smith Academy 12 (Woodward 5, Bouley, Cavanaugh, Baranoski, Zygmont, Ferrara, Gratz)
