Holyoke Catholic Tops McCann Boys

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Nathan Golob scored 29 points, and the Holyoke Catholic boys basketball team outscored McCann Tech by nine in the fourth quarter for a 66-61 win on Thursday night.

Shane Fuller scored 27, and Rahmer Vincent had 15 for the Hornets (11-7), who lost for the first time in five games.

McCann coach Mike Nykorchuck said Holyoke Catholic is much better than its 6-9 record, having lost a number of one-possession games this year.

McCann was ahead, 33-30, at half-time and threatened to put the game away, but the visitors made some adjustments.

"We extended the lead to eight points with two minutes left in the third quarter as our half-court trap was very effective," Nykorchuck said. :They adjusted to the trap and started hitting Nathan Golob on the baseline, where he scored many of his game high 29 points driving hard to the basket.

"We did not step in and play defense in front of Golob, which would have forced him to the middle and help defense or possibly drawn a couple of charges."

Another key for Holyoke Catholic: perimeter defense. McCann made just two 3-pointers, well below its season average.

One bright spot for McCann was the return of Dante Cellana, who was thought finished for the season with injury. He scored eight and had a team-high eight rebounds.

McCann fell into a tie for first place in the Tri-Valley League with Gateway at 11-2 in conference play. The Hornets travel to Franklin Tech on Monday.

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