By Allison Goldsmith
I&M Sports Editor
While many were enjoying a relaxing holiday vacation last week, the boys basketball team kept busy with a packed schedule of games. The Whalers split two games at the Mashpee Christmas Tournament, defeating Chatham 68-51 Friday before falling to Hull 49-48 Saturday. Also this week, Nantucket lost at Cohasset 52-50.
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Photo by Jim Powers
Carlton Hue challenges a Hull defender during Saturday’s 49-48 loss in the second game of the Mashpee Christmas Tournament. The Whalers defeated Chatham 68-51 Friday. |
After opening the season with five straight road games, the Whalers (2-3) were scheduled to host their first home game of the season Tuesday against Norton, too late for this edition of Sports.
In the first stretch of games this season the Nantucket has been working to figure out best floor combinations and establishing roles on the team.
“We are pretty deep and I am happy about that,” head coach Beau Almodobar said of his 14-player squad. “All of our players can play. We shuffle a lot of kids in and out and that’s because of the tempo.”
Almodobar has been pleased with the early emergence of sophomores Carlton Hue and DuVaughn Beckford as well as juniors Curren Huyser, Jamie Viera and Rasheed Smith as role players for the Whalers.
But the big key this season will be the contributions from inside starters Delroy Lawrence and Josh Butler. Nantucket opened the Mashpee Christmas Tournament Friday with a dominating inside game from the seniors in the victory over Chatham. The duo combined for 32 points, 25 rebounds and eight blocked shots.
“If they play like that, we are going to be tough to beat. We need them to play like that every game,” Almodobar said.
Butler, who scored 18 points and 12 rebounds against Chatham, had a double-double in all three games this week.
“He has seemed to come out of nowhere,” Almodobar said. “He has really lifted up his game in the last couple of weeks. It seems like he hits the shot when needed the most. Whether it is a two-pointer or a blocked shot or a rebound, he seems to spark us when we need it.”
The performance from Lawrence and Butler helped to open up the rest of the floor for a number of fast-break points. Nantucket led 19-5 after the first quarter and 42-27 at the half.
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Photo by Jim Powers
Boys basketball action versus Hull during the annual Cape and Islands Basketball Classic at Mashpee, Saturday afternoon in the third period. Chris Welch, left. |
“We did an excellent job on the boards and really doing a good job getting our hands in the passing lanes,” Almodobar said.
Eric Lowell added 14 points in the win.
In the second game of the tournament, the Whalers were matched up against one of the most challenging opponents in the 11-team event and possibly in Division IV. Against Hull Saturday Nantucket battled basket for basket against the Pirates.
“From what I have heard, they are undefeated and probably one of the toughest teams in the division,” Almodobar said. “But it turned out to be for our benefit. Even though we lost that game, it sends a message that we can play with anybody.”
The Pirates, who had watched the Whalers play against Chatham Friday, held an edge over Nantucket for most of the game. They used their physicality and boxing out to keep Nantucket’s inside players from establishing similar dominance to the day before and led 26-16 at the break.
The Whalers clawed their way back in the second half. In the fourth quarter Hue took over and scored 10 of Nantucket’s 13 points in the frame. Butler nailed a three-point shot from the left corner with two minutes remaining to tie the game.
The Whalers had two key turnovers down the stretch which ultimately cost them the comeback. Hue was at the line with the chance to win the game with 1.8 seconds on the clock, but missed both shots as the Whalers fell to the Pirates.
Lowell played solid defense for the Whalers with four steals and six points. Hue finished with 14 points and five steals and Butler added 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Lowell received the tournament sportsmanship award, given to one player on each team.
The Whalers had lost another close contest earlier in the week against Cohasset.
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Photo by Jim Powers
Eric Lowell loses control fo the ball as he goes in for the basket in the first half of Saturday's loss to Hull. |
“Cohasset was a tough team. They boxed out well and they rebounded well. We have to get more physical. Chatham wasn’t as physical as these other two teams (Cohasset and Hull),” Almodobar said.
Both teams opened the game with the fast-paced tempo the Whalers are accustomed to. Nantucket had the lead early, but in the second quarter, the Skippers used a full-court press to force the Whalers into four big turnovers to take the lead at 26-25 at the break.
Cohasset kept up the pace to outscore the Whalers 14-8 in the third quarter which was ultimately the difference in the game. Nantucket battled back in the fourth quarter. Chris Welch hit two three pointers on back-to-back trips down the court to pull the Whalers within two points with two minutes remaining. Lawrence was on the free-throw line with two seconds on the clock with the chance to tie the game and send it to overtime, but the senior captain missed both shots to send the Skippers home with the win.
Butler led the Whalers with 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocked shots and Lawrence knocked down 11 to go along with 11 rebounds and three blocks. Hue scored 10 and Welch added nine for Nantucket.
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