SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Patrick McLaughlin scored 45 points Friday to lead the Wahconah boys basketball team to a 73-50 win over Springfield Commerce.

 

Wahconah coach Dustin Belcher said from the road that he believed that output set a school record for Wahconah.

 

It definitely gave the team a much needed lift early in the season.

 

“A huge win for the kids,” Belcher said. “After two tough losses and a slow start in the first quarter, they continued to work, and I am really proud of the way they competed and gave a complete effort on both sides of the floor.”

 

McLaughlin was part of that slow start, but he heated up after the first quarter ended.

 

“Pat started with one point in the first quarter and then locked in and did an incredible job of taking advantage of what they would give him,” Belcher said.

 

McLaughlin hit a pair of 3-pointers and went 5-for-5 at the foul line in the second quarter to help Wahconah take a 27-10 lead into half-time.

 

He scored 18 more in a wild third quarter that saw Commerce outscore Wahconah, 28-26. And he had nine points in the fourth to help Wahconah pull away for the win.

 

For the game, he was 13-of-16 at the foul line.

 

Jack DuCharm scored 10 points, and Aidan Hagmaier added seven in the win.

 

Wahconah (1-2) hosts Chicopee Comp on Monday.