Belmont is undefeated at home going into this game. Their zone press gives most teams fits. Arlington destroyed it. I continue to be impressed with how well this team is coached.
TORRID SHOOTING PROPELS SPY PONDERS OVER BELMONT
BELMONT, MA. February 3, 2017. Riding the wave of torrid first quarter shooting the Arlington boys basketball team grabbed at least a share of the Middlesex Liberty Division title in the unlikeliest of places Friday night defeating Belmont 79-66 on the Marauder’s home floor.
This game looked to be a test for the Spy Ponders who had not been seriously challenged in league play this year. Belmont, respectably in third place and undefeated at home was fresh off a big win against highly regarded Watertown.
The Marauders opened aggressively, immediately applying their full court zone trap, but Arlington was magnificently prepared for it. Using junior forward Ben Wasco as a post man deep in the backcourt to receive the in-bounds pass, their confident ball handlers senior Colin McNamara, junior Dominic Black and sophomore Nick Karalis broke by him avoiding the Belmont traps.
The strategy worked perfectly as Arlington repeatedly beat defenders down the floor for easy looks that resulted in the Spy Ponders making a remarkable 11 of 13 shots on their way to a 29 point quarter, their best of the year. Belmont also shot well–over 50 percent–and made three 3 pointers only to find themselves in a 10 point hole at the end of one.
Asked about his preparation Arlington coach John Bowler said, “We knew Belmont loves to press and run so we stressed in practice taking care of the ball, not turning it over (they had just 2 in the first quarter) and attacking their press” He added, “I thought we did a great job, executed well and got easy looks. 29 points in a quarter…that’s a lot of points.”
The Spy Ponders cooled off a bit in the second as Belmont wisely abandoned the press, but still increased their lead to 44-25 at the break after shooting 72 percent for the half. Their defense was impeccable in the second quarter holding Belmont senior captain Paul Ramsey scoreless and the team to just 6 points.
“They’re a really good team and Ramsey’s a great player,” Bowler said. “We wanted other guys on their team doing the shooting and I think we did a pretty good job of that.”
While they did hold Ramsey down in the second quarter he was the linchpin of Belmont’s improved play in the second half with 15 points. He scored 8 in the last five minutes and his spinning layup with 1:30 left brought Belmont within 10 points, their closest contact since early in the game.
Arlington led at all the breaks; by 10 at the end of one, 19 at the half and 17 and the end of 3.
The Spy Ponders selfless ball movement was evident all night and reflected in their balanced scoring with four starters in double figures led by Black with 19, Wasco and sophomore James Gascoigne with 13 each and McNamara with 11.
Ramsey was the game’s high scorer with 23, senior guard Daron Hamparian added 13 and senior Cal Christofori had 11 for Belmont.
Looking ahead Bowler is feeling justifiably good about his team. “One more win and we’re league champs,” he said. “I think we’re ready for the tournament. We still have work to do, but we’re peaking at the right time.”
The Spy Ponders host Reading Tuesday night at 6.
