Recap for the game: Monument Mountain vs Hoosac Valley on Dec 22
'Canes Comeback Attempt Falls just Short
Staff reports
12:22AM / Friday, December 23, 2011
ADAMS, Mass. -- Progress usually comes in small doses over a period of time.
That being said, the Hoosac Valley boys' basketball team can't be too upset with its 56-54 home loss to Monument Mountain on Wednesday night. The Hurricanes trailed by 12 points on two separate occasions against the Spartans but rallied back in the fourth quarter to earn a last-second chance to win the game. Sophomore Matt Braman's 3-pointer from the top of the key hit the front of the rim and bounced away, however, preventing 0-4 Hoosac from winning its first game of the season this year.
"It was a competitive ball game, but it was a tough loss for the home team tonight," Hurricanes head coach Bill Robinson said. "It was a valiant effort, but we still came up short. There were some encouraging signs coming back from 12 down on two occasions and having three sophomores in double figures. We still need to learn to stop teams at crucial points in the game and then learn how to win tight games."
It was a game of ups and downs for a young Hoosac squad still trying to find its way. Robinson's squad trailed by eight after the first quarter, only to outscore the Spartans (1-2) by seven in the second quarter. Monument doubled up the 'Canes 16-8 in the third quarter, but the hosts nearly stole the game away at the end by finishing strong.
"We hung in and trimmed the lead to nine heading into the fourth quarter," Robinson said. "We then had a few defensive lapses but managed to keep the lead from swelling. Finally, with about five minutes to play we got a few steals defensively and hit the ensuing shots to cut into the lead."
Hoosac cut the Spartans' lead down to three, only to watch Nick Greenleaf (10 points) hit a half-hook bank shot to bump the lead back to five with two minutes to play. Sophomore Trevor Alibozek, who led the Hurricanes with a game-high 20 points, then made two free throws to cut it back to three before a steal by sophomore Sean Ryan-Kut set up Braman for a trey that pulled Hoosac within one point with 6.8 seconds left in the game. Monument then hit 1 of 2 free throws at the other end, giving the Hurricanes one last chance with 4.3 seconds left on the clock.
A wide-open Braman raced up the court and pulled up from the top of the key, but his shot came up just a little short. Braman finished with 13 points and four assists, while Ryan-Kut added 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. Junior forward Andrew Milesi did damage on the boards for the 'Canes, collecting a team-high 10 rebounds on the night.
The Spartans were led by John Kinne and Cameron Pease, who scored 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Hoosac next plays at Greenfield at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
|
