Big Shot Giorgi Clinches Playoff Spot for Drury
NORTH ADAMS, Mass — Senior leadership on a high school basketball team is a very valuable aspect to the sport. While that leadership can vary and be valued in different ways, there are some occasions when a senior's impact on his team is as clear as the light of day.Such is the case for Drury guard Joel Giorgi, who stepped up in a big way to knock down a pair of fourth-quarter 3-pointers to lead the Blue Devil boys to 47-43 win over Pittsfield on Wednesday night. Giorgi's second three of the night came with his team up by one point and with 41 seconds remaining, giving Drury the cushion it needed to take down the North Division leading Generals and clinch a berth in the Division 2 Western Mass. tournament.
Giorgi finished with 14 points overall, including eight in the fourth quarter alone. He had the guts to take big shots down the stretch, helping Drury improve its record to 9-7 overall, which qualifies it for postseason play because of the Devils' new 18-game schedule. Giorgi also had five rebounds and two assists for Drury, which held Pittsfield (13-5) to 25 less points compared to the last meeting between the two squads, a 68-43 win for the Generals at home less than a month ago.
Defense played a major role in the Blue Devils' victory on Wednesday. The hosts limited Pittsfield to just five points in the first quarter and seven more in the second to open a 22-12 lead at the half. The two teams played an even third quarter before the Generals finally got going in the fourth, outscoring Drury 21-15 in the frame. Giorgi came through when it mattered most, however, and the Blue Devils were able to withstand the visitors' full-court pressure down the stretch.
Junior forward Nolan Bird also came up big with a game-high 15 points and nine rebounds for Drury, which also got four points and nine boards out of senior forward Slayter Aubin. Amancho Adopo led Pittsfield by scoring 12 points.
The Devils are now off until Thursday, when they play at Wahconah at 7:30 p.m.