NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Defense has been a calling card for the McCann Tech boys basketball team all season.
On Monday, the Hornets really answered the call.
Jack Dolan took two charges and made two steals as McCann Tech held an opponent in the 20s for the third time this season, beating Ludlow, 44-29.
The Lions managed just 17 points through the first three quarters before they were able to knock down a couple of 3-pointers in the final eight minutes.
Eric Rougeau scored 10 points to lead McCann Tech’s offense.
And while Hornets coach Chris Bullett was not happy with the 17 turnovers his team committed, it was the 24 turnovers it forced that made the difference in McCann Tech’s seventh win in eight games.
“We had guys step up all over the place tonight,” Bullett said. “Everybody stepped up. Every guy I brought in off the bench marked their guy. We played great defense.
“It’s always led by Eric [Rougeau], our defense. But Jack [Dolan], that’s the best he’s played on defense all year. So I’m really excited about that.”
Walter Mazza scored six points and grabbed nine rebounds. Zach Howland finished with five points and 10 boards on a night when the Hornets were challenged by Ludlow’s big front line.
The Hornets grabbed the lead for good with a 15-2 run in the first quarter.
Jacob Howland and Jonathan Durocher each scored four points in the run, which ended on Jacob Howland’s drive to the basket to make it 17-5 with eight minutes gone.
It was still a 12-point margin at half-time. And Ludlow scored four straight midway through the third to again get within 12 at 29-17.
A steal by Dolan led to a transition bucket by Kyle Rougeau, and moments later, Kyle Rougeau’s steal at one end produced his layup at the other as McCann Tech went on a 9-0 run that went into the fourth quarter and established a 38-17 lead.
Transition points were helpful against the Lions, who used their bulk to frustrate McCann Tech’s efforts in the paint in the half court offense.
“We’re just trying to get weakside stuff going off drives and kicks and playing inside through Walter [Mazza] at the free throw line,” Bullett said. “The problem is when they’ve got three guys that size back by the basket, there’s not a whole lot of room for cuts or screens down there or anything like that. So it kind of clogs everything, and we become too reliant on the 3-point shot. That’s how we don’t end up scoring.
“As long as we’re moving the ball inside out, and 3-pointers come off kickouts or rebounds things like that, I like ‘em. But I don’t want to end up shooting 25, 30 3s a game. I want to get a bunch of stuff in the paint. And [Ludlow] was tough to score against in the paint – tough down there and tough here, too. So I’m happy we don’t have to play anyone with size like their size anymore.”
Monday’s win completed a season sweep against McCann Tech’s Tri-County North Division rivals.
The Hornets have two league games remaining on their schedule: at Westfield Tech and home against Hampden Charter. Westfield Tech comes first on Thursday night.
