There seems to be an unwritten rule in the Middlesex League. No zone defenses. Arlington is so difficult to guard man-to-man, I've often wondered what might happen if someone went with a zone against them. I found out in this game.
ZONE BUSTERS. ARLINGTON BESTS WOBURN 79-55.
WOBURN, MA. February 10, 2017. While winning at Woburn Friday night 79-55, their fifteenth consecutive league win, the Arlington boys basketball team answered two interesting questions about their squad as it prepares for the tournament.
The first question; what might happen if a starter-or two-is unavailable?
The Spy Ponders were without the services of not just one starter, but two last night. Both of their starting post-men and rebounders, sophomore James Gascoigne and junior Ben Wasco were unavailable.
It didn’t seem to matter.
Coach John Bowler started four guards, well three, since junior Dominic Black plays everywhere (more on him later) and added sophomore forward Joey Pazzia to the mix. Pazzia effectively got himself open underneath Woburn’s zone defense to chip in four easy baskets.
“We had to play some other kids,” Bowler said, “and they played well. I think almost everybody scored.” Yes. 9 players were on the board.
And the second question; how might Arlington respond if an opponent puts up a zone defense. Zones are rare in the Middlesex League although Melrose employed one earlier in the season, and it created a low scoring game.
Woburn tried one last night, a 2-1-2 zone for the entire first half. It seemed to be somewhat effective through the first quarter and the Tanners actually held the lead at 20-19 at the end of one.
But by early in the second quarter Arlington had it figured out, and abused it in about every way a zone can be abused.
Black and freshman Bensley Joseph shot over it. Pazzia and sophomore forward Jaden Dottin snuck along the baseline for easy hoops under it. Senior Colin McNamara penetrated through it setting up mini 2 on 1’s in the lane.
By the time the quarter was over the Spy Ponders had dropped 31 points on the Tanner zone, their biggest quarter of the season, on their way to a 50-35 lead at halftime. Needless to say, Woburn switched to man-to-man for the second half.
“That’s about as good as we can play against a zone,” Bowler assessed.
It wasn’t just their set offense that broke the game open. As is usually the case with Arlington their defense ignited a lot of that second quarter offense before the Woburn zone could even set up.
In the first 3 minutes of the quarter, Black and freshman Bensley Joseph were voracious on defense with three steals and quick outlet passes to the reliable finisher McNamara for breakaway layups, the highlights of a demoralizing 15-5 run, the turning point in the game.
By the 4 minute mark of the quarter Arlington had made eight straight shots.
Black had a banner night, contributing assists, steals rebounds and 25 points, one of four Spy Ponders in double figures, while shadowing Woburn’s difficult junior forward Matthew Juko the entire contest.
Joseph (13), McNamara (12), Dottin (10) and Pazzia (8) rounded out an evening of balanced scoring for the unselfish Spy Ponders.
The youthful Tanners (there are no seniors on this team) were led by Juko’s 15, junior Matt Walusimbi (11) and sophomore guard Ryan Ludwig (9).
Lexington is next up for Arlington Tuesday night at 6 in Arlington.
