DALTON, Mass. -- On Jan. 20, the Drury boys basketball team played Wahconah in the Blue Devils' fourth game within a week, and Drury lost at home, 62-46.
After the game Coach Jack Racette simply put it, “We’re tired.”
Friday evening the Drury boys got a second chance against Wahconah and they traveled home with a 45-36 win.
“You know, we had a couple days to prepare, which is always nice,” Racette said. “We played zone and it’s been where we’ve gone lately.”
Drury and Wahconah both came out in zone defense in the first half of the game; Wahconah switched over to man in the second half.
Drury was able to shut down Wahconah’s shooting from outside, and on the Devils' offensive end they were able to put up some key shots.
They held an 18-14 lead at the half.
“I think we’re finding that we have some length,” Racette said. “We went zone and they weren’t shooting the ball well and again it’s about who makes shots and we made some shots and we made some big shots.”
With 5 minutes, 33 seconds remaining in the game, Wahconah brought Drury’s lead within two points (33-31), but shortly after the hosts got themselves in foul trouble. The Blue Devils could have pulled away, but they struggled to finish from the line.
Wahconah didn’t back down. It continued to push the ball up the court, but the Drury defense was able to create a few turnovers and get some important baskets up to seal the win.
“Tonight was really a seeding game, 1-1, it was a rubber match,” Drury senior Justin Girard said. “It was a huge win for us tonight for seeding purposes and good win over a good team.”
Girard finished the game with 15 points for the Blue Devils.
Drury heads to Lee Tuesday evening and Wahconah hosts Pittsfield.
“You’re going to be in hostile territory, you’re going to be on the road, tournament play gets really emotional,” Racette said. “You have to stay poised and we have to make foul shots down the stretch.”
For Wahconah, Cole Morrison finished with 15 points and Collin Parrott had seven. Drury’s Cam Lesure had 11 and Nick Trombley had seven.
