Boys' Basketball rallies to beat Putnam Science
The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys’ Basketball team put a stop to its three-game losing streak Wednesday, rallying in the second half to beat Putnam Science 61-57 before an electric home crowd.
“I think it was a good win for team morale,” Earl Stephens ’15 said. “We were on a losing streak. I think this will help our team believe in itself and we’ll go from there.”
Since winning all three games on its trip to Florida, WMA had lost games to Brewster Academy, Marianapolis Prep and Worcester Academy. The Titans were down 26-13 in the first half and it appeared they were headed for another loss. Putnam was making its shots from the perimeter, and WMA had a very hard time getting the ball up the court.
In the second half, though, things changed. WMA, led by Earl, was able to withstand Putnam’s pressure, and Marcel Pettway ’15 became a force inside.
“Mostly it was our defense, which created our offense,” Marcel said. “We also got the ball in the paint and we broke their press. We got our offense going in the second half.”
After trailing all game, Marcel gave the Titans a 45-44 lead when he scored from the left block on a great power move. The Titans stayed hot the rest of the way, with Marcel, Earl, Curtis Cobb '15, Goodluck Okonoboh ’14 and Mustapha Heron ’16 playing very well down the stretch.
Goodluck had yet another monster game for the Titans, finishing with 14 points and 14 rebounds. His shot blocking ability helps him rank as one of the premier defensive players in the country.
Curtis led WMA with a season-high 18 points. Marcel scored all of his 14 points in the second half.
Marcel thinks the team, which started the season with 10 players new to the varsity system, is starting to come together.
“We had lost three in a row,” he said. “But our chemistry is getting better. We’ve been working hard at it and that helped us win the game.”
