DEFENSE KEYS ARLINGTON'S THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
Watertown, MA. 12/21/17. No matter what’s happening with their offense, the Arlington boys basketball team can count on their defense. That was the case again Thursday night in Watertown as the Spy Ponders submitted a defensive masterpiece in the second half to pull away from the Raiders 51 – 42 in an intense struggle between two excellent teams.
This was anything but an easy win. Down 14 – 9 late in the first quarter, Watertown, the defending Division 3 North champions, switched from a man-to-man defense to a trapping 1-3-1 zone. It gave Arlington fits.
With 6’6” senior John Korte protecting the rim, the Raider guards were able to pressure and trap the Arlington offense even beyond the three point line. Whenever Arlington managed to penetrate the lane, Korte (four blocks) was there to intimidate.
As a result, the Spy Ponders turned it over nine times in the half, sophomore swing man Bensley Joseph managed just one basket despite many trips down the lane, senior Dom Black sat the last four minutes in foul trouble and Arlington had a meager 23 -22 lead at the break.
But they were a different team in the second half. Employing their trademark full court trapping press led by quick junior guard Nick Karalis and Black, the Spy Ponders created six minutes of misery for Watertown. At the 3:30 mark of the third quarter they went on a frantic 20 -6 run to turn a 28 -24 deficit into a 44 – 34 lead that essentially decided the final outcome.
Asked what magical things he may have told his team at halftime coach John Bowler revealed, “I told them we had to play harder.”
He added, “I thought we played so hard in the second half. Our defense was incredible."
And so it was. During the run, the defense produced eight Watertown turnovers, a blocked shot (Black), a charging call and a shot clock violation. It also allowed Arlington to get to the rim before the menacing presence of Korte could get back to the defensive end.
With the rim available, Joseph came alive during the run contributing 11 of the 20 points. Senior forward Sam Swift came off the bench to add an important five points as well.
For the game, Joseph had 13, and Black had his normal stat sheet night with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Junior James Gascoigne, wearing a protective plastic face-mask, added 10 and senior Ben Wasco 8, while doing an admirable job of annoying Korte all evening.
Korte led Watertown with 22 points and 13 rebounds to go along with his 4 blocks, while diminutive Gabe Spinelli, just a freshman and apparently the next in a long line of skilled Watertown point guards, added 13.
“It’s great to get a win against a program like this,” Bowler said. “You just look around. They have so many banners hanging up here. You beat a team like this or their floor, and it can really get your season going.”