Monson Boys Smother Eagles Early, Roll to Win

SHEFFIELD, Mass. -- Chris Sisco scored 11 points, and the Monson boys basketball team used smothering defense to jump out to a big lead and earn a 63-25 win over Mount Everett on Monday.

 

The Mustangs (4-6) used a 16-1 run that spanned the first and second quarters to build a 31-5 lead and never looked back as the Eagles (3-7) dropped their fourth straight.

 

“We’re just so inexperienced right now that there’s going to be a lot of learning pains, a lot of growing,” Mount Everett coach Jowe Warren said. “Even though some of these kids have played other sports, it’s their first time playing organized basketball at the varsity level. It’s a lot of pressure, so it’s going to take some time for them to get to that.”

 

Cavan Brady scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Eagles.

 

Jimi Gulotta scored nine points and pulled down five rebounds.

 

All nine of Gulotta’s points came in the second half -- on three 3-pointers.

 

The Eagles played their best basketball in the third quarter, scoring on three straight possessions at one point.

 

Kenneth Zucco scored from the left wing to make it 48-15 midway through the quarter. After a Monson turnover, Brady drove the baseline for a bucket. Then a Zucco defensive rebound at the other end led to a Gulotta triple on the left wing off a crosscourt pass from Jack Carpenter to make it 48-20.

 

In the quarter, the Eagles were outscored by a margin of just 19-13.

 

“I’m happy we came out better in the third, because that’s what’s been hurting us all season,” Warrens said. “Even when we’ve been in close games, we come out in third and we wouldn’t have the intensity.

 

“That was a little better today. But we fell behind by too much early -- too much to come back from.”

 

Cam Kratovil scored nine, and Logan Gerry added eight for Moson.

 

Mount Everett goes to Williamstown on Thursday to face Mount Greylock at Williams College’s Laselle Gymnasium.