CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Hoosac Valley boys basketball team Wednesday pulled out a 55-5-1 win over Renaissance behind 27 points from Nick Waterman.

 

Behind Waterman, it was a balanced attack as Izaha Stubbs, Dave Crittelli, and Vance Eugene each chipping in with seven points each. 

 

Both teams started of the game a little slow shooting the ball, but Hoosac Valley’s (3-1) full court pressure was able to get the Hurricanes some easy early buckets. After a 7-1 start for Hoosac, Renaissance (1-2) was forced to take an early timeout. After the timeout Hoosac Valley picked back up where it left off, controlling the tempo of the game and putting Renaissance on its heels. The Canes finished the quarter up 14-3 and went on a 20-3 run that went halfway through the second quarter. 

 

Renaissance didn’t score its first basket until 3 minutes, 30 seconds left in the first quarter. 

 

Midway through the second, Renaissance started to settle in and started to make some shots. It went on a 10-0 run to help get back into the game. In a game with not a lot of quality offensive sets the high paced defensive pressure was key for both teams scoring the ball.

 

“They missed a lot of layups early. We forced turnovers, but that is both of our games and we knew that is how this game was going to be played,” Hoosac Valley coach Mike Larabee said.“I thought it was helter skelter, and we were offensively challenged tonight.”

 

In the second half Renaissance continued to pick up the defensive pressure, bringing it within four points, but it couldn’t get over the hump. Dave Critelli off the bench added some much need boost to keep Hoosac Valley rolling. 

 

“Dave is that type of player, he fit the style of today’s game and he gave us the energy we needed off the bench,” Larabee added. 

 

Renaissance didn’t go away, as it continued to answer every run Hoosac Valley had. It wasn’t until just under four minutes in the game Renaissance rook its first lead of the game on the back end of a 8-0 run. It couldn’t hold that lead very long as Hoosac Valley hit some timely free throws and got some much needed stops down the stretch. 

 

Hoosac Valley will go on the road next to take on Mount Greylock on Jan. 4.