Defense, Rebounding Key McCann Tech to Big League Win

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The McCann Tech boys basketball team on Thursday night avenged its only Tri-County League loss of the season with a 53-40 win over Gateway.

 

The Hornets (8-5, 8-1) got 19 points from Shane Fuller in handing Gateway (10-2, 8-1) its first league loss of the year.

 

McCann trailed by two after a sloppy first quarter but went to half-time with a 24-20 lead.

 

"We played a good first half, but most of our guys receiving the ball on a pass weren't coming to the ball, allowing Gateway defenders to pick off a lot of passes," McCann coach Mike Nykorchuck said. "We talked about coming to the ball and making it easier for the passer."

 

The Hornets clamped down defensively in the third quarter to build a 35-25 lead.

 

"The key to us winning tonight was the rebounding effort we got," Nykorchuck said. "Gateway beat us, 68-53, in the first game, and we got pounded on the boards, and they scored about 30 points in transition.

 

"Tonight, we dominated the boards and held Gateway to two fastbreak points."

 

Kyle Parada and Dante Cellana pulled down 13 and 12 rebounds, respectively.

 

Rahmer Vincent and Parada scored eight points apiece, and Cellana scored seven.

 

Justin Schneider and Matt Belini combined defensively to limit Gateway's Curtis Downers to three points; in the teams' first meeting, Downers scored 30.