In this highly anticipated Northeast Conference (NEC) matchup on Friday night, the Chieftains (5-1) wore the Magicians (3-2) down and came out victorious, 60-52.
With this battle being Masco’s first Friday night home game and youth night, players had to perform in front of an overflowing gym.
Masco was the team that got rolling early, jumping out to a six-point lead after one quarter and held that lead up by five going into halftime.
The physicality and sheer effort of Marblehead kept them in this game as Masco was the more skilled team, just getting outmuscled.
“We have kids that are too nice, kids that would do anything for kids in front of them. I need to get them to be more like warriors, starting off the game by throwing the first punch instead of receiving the first punch,” said Masco head coach Jacob Morales.
After Morales told his players to ramp up their effort and start playing stronger, Marblehead struggled to keep up for the entirety of the second half.
Masco junior big man Jamason Vella was holding his own down on the block and equally being aggressive taking it to the cup on offense. Vella finished this game with 18 points and 13 rebounds while adding a few steals. Knowing that Marblehead likes to be physical, Vella continued to attack the basket and get to the stripe at will, shooting 14 free throws. Vella leads the Chieftains in points per game (15.7) and rebounds per game (8.5).
“This was definitely a big win for us. We came out weak in the first half but figured it out and picked up the intensity in the second half,” said Vella. “Personally, I need to shoot better from the free-throw line, but this was a great team win overall.”
A big compliment to Vella’s game is Masco’s point guard and junior captain Jimmy Farrell. Farrell and Vella work the high-low post nicely and Farrell leads the team with 5.5 assists per game, showing not only can he score, but is a great passer. Farrell is the type of player that has the ability to take over the game at any point, whether it’s with his pull-up mid-ranges, deep three-pointers, or ridiculous finishing skills. Farrell finished the game with 15 points and grabbed five boards.
“We can learn a lot from this game. With a big week coming up, the goal is to keep the win streak going and win out the rest of the season,” said Farrell. “Marblehead is a good basketball team who came to play but tonight our team was prepared and got the job done.”
Masco sophomore Thomas Denton stepped up big time in this game being a second-half spark plug with 10 points in the final 16 minutes, cashing in on two threes and a tough and-one layup.
Marblehead sophomore Finn Baron seemed impossible to guard leading the Magicians with a game-high 21 points.
When junior guard Cal Weidman was given the tall task of guarding Baron, however, he played with high intensity and made him sweat for every dribble.
Senior big man Hunter Rossi and junior guard Ryan Richardson, along with Weidman, are known as the Chieftains’ high-energy guys and nothing was different Friday. Rossi is an animal on the glass and Richardson is an opposing ball handler’s nightmare.
“Another good win for another competitive game. Hats off to Marblehead; they are well-coached, play hard, and always want it badly, but our guys were able to come out with a couple of extra winning plays to put us in a great position toward the end of the game,” said Morales.
The Chieftains stay undefeated in the NEC with the win and now have to suit up today and head to Danvers High School to take on the underdog Falcons at seven.