ARLINGTON SINKS FISHERMEN 64-54
Arlington, MA. 2/28/18. Leading wire to wire, the second seeded Arlington Boys basketball team opened their MIAA Div 2 tournament campaign with a 64 -54 win over visiting Gloucester Tuesday night behind a balanced attack led by their three league all-stars Bensley Joseph (19), and co-captains James Gascoigne and Dom Black, each with 16.
Black, Middlesex League Co-MVP, who had missed the last three games with an injured foot, wasted no time announcing his return with a stat sheet filled first quarter that included three rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and two points to help the Spy Ponders to a 17-9 lead at the end of one that they would never relinquish.
“It felt great to be back,” said the versatile Black. “I feel good. I’m ready to go.”
The Spy Ponder offense was humming in the first half as Gascoigne’s artful quickness underneath Gloucester’s 2-3 zone gave the Fishermen fits. Then when they stayed low to stop him, it opened space for Joseph, the electric sophomore, who scored on an array of moves including slashes to the rim and stop and pop jumpers.
Early in the third quarter the Arlington lead had ballooned to 19 points when Black was whistled for his third foul and took a seat next to coach John Bowler whereupon the Fishermen went on an 8-0 run to close within 11 at the end of three.
“We got up 19 and relaxed, gave their shooters some open looks and momentum,” Bowler said. “This game is all about momentum. When you get up 18 or 19 you’ve got to push it to 25.”
Black returned to open the fourth with a quick three pointer from the right elbow and followed it with an offensive board and put-back to elevate the lead safely back to 14.
“It’s nice to have him back,” said Bowler adding, “He’s our leader defensively, too. He’s always in the right place. He rebounds well and gets us out of trouble.”
Black grabbed nine rebounds and dished out four assists in addition to his 16 points. Joseph had six rebounds.
Junior guard Ben Oliver led the Fishermen with 15 points on five three pointers.
The win provides Arlington a chance for some sweet payback against Brighton, the defending state champions, who eliminated the Spy Ponders last year in the North semi-finals. “It’s great for us to have a chance to play them again,” Bowler said. “We have two days to get ready. I think we’ll be hitting on all cylinders.”
Brighton’s 66-55 win over Burlington Tuesday night earned them their trip to Arlington on Friday for a 7pm showdown.