CHESHIRE, Mass. — Scott McGuire Jr. scored 27 points Friday to lift Drury to a dominating win over Hoosac Valley, 75-43.
It was a fas-paced game just like it always is when Drury plays, but the added element of the rivalry with Hoosac made for an entertaining start to the game. McGuire scored eight of his 27 points in the first quarter, matching Hoosac's total for the period.
With two quick baskets around the hoop it opened up the outside for him to knock down a 3. Once Drury (11-2) grabbed the lead, it was determined to not look back. With baskets from six different players in the first quarter, the Blue Devils jumped out to a 23-8 lead. Reece Racette had five in the quarter and 19 in the game.
“We made some shots early and got into our pressure which was good but we went cold in the second quarter.” Drury coach Jack Racette said. “We weathered the storm a little bit they made some big shots but in the third quarter we made shots. When we make shots obviously we are good but it helps us get in our pressure."
For Hoosac Valley (5-7) Izayah Stubbs led the way with 17 points and Sam Larabee added 12. It has been a tough stretch for the Hurricanes after winning 5 of their first 6 they have lost six straight.
“The better basketball team won tonight,” Hoosac Valley coach David Harte said. “We tried to switch defenses early, but our guys have a hard time adjusting. Their defensive pressure was solid, and we have a tendency to watch the ball instead of flashing to gaps.
“We will never win giving up that many points, especially second chance points and points off turnovers. Once you fall behind they are a difficult team to turnover because of their guard play.”
A little bit of hope for Hoosac Valley came in the second quarter when the Hurricanes were able to settle into the game and finally get some baskets to fall. They outscored the Blue Devils, 18-15, in the quarter and edged themselves closer going into the break.
The third quarter, Drury came out similar to the first with intense pressure and the ability to score at a high rate. They were able to get turnovers into easy baskets which eventually wore down Hoosac. They continued to pile on the scoring essentially ending this one before it was over.
With the end of the season lurking, Drury’s Jack Racette was happy to see good involvement from his whole team not only on the scoring end but defensively and rebounding as well.
“We talk about it everyday in practice, Max, Obilio, Tim, and Dante have been working hard every day getting better at scoring,” Racette said. “They are going to get a lot of opportunities just because Scott and Reece get so much attention so they just have to finish and they are getting better which will make us a lot better as we get deeper in the season.”
Drury will now turn their attention towards Taconic, a team they lost to earlier in the season at home. They will face off Tuesday on the road.
Hoosac Valley will host Cardinal Spellman on Sunday and look to end their winless drought.
