By Allison Goldsmith
I&M Sports Editor
The boys basketball team completed a perfect sweep of the Lighthouse Conference this week with wins over Sturgis 60-27 last Thursday and Provincetown 90-35 at home Saturday.
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Photo by Nicole Harnishfeger
Eddie Coffin puts up a shot against Provincetown last Saturday during the Whalers’ 90-35 victory. |
It is the third straight Lighthouse Conference title for the Whalers, who improved to 11-5 overall (6-0 conference) and qualified for the Division IV postseason with the two wins this week.
In the final four games on the regular-season schedule against higher-caliber opponents, Nantucket will look to continue to improve their game in preparation for the playoffs.
“We are lot more physical than we were in the beginning of the season or halfway through the season. In my eyes we were a little soft down low, now I think we are a little bit stronger,” head coach Beau Almodobar said. “We have changed as a team from one that comes down too early and jacks up threes or open jumpers. Now we are making a conscious effort to work inside and then out. We have been really trying to focus more on a low-post game.
“I still think we need to be a little more sound on defense. I think we need to get our defenses rotating quicker and shutting down the lanes a little better,” he continued.
The Whalers are scheduled to travel to Dennis-Yarmouth this afternoon for a rematch of the overtime loss on Nantucket earlier in the season. Over the weekend the squad will return to the Island Invitational on Martha’s Vineyard.
They will face Easthampton on Sunday afternoon and Mt. Everett on Monday morning. The Whalers will wrap up the regular season next Wednesday at home against Mashpee.
Josh Butler led the Whalers in scoring in both games this week, knocking down 19 points against Provincetown and 21 at Sturgis. He was also strong at the free-throw line, converting 12 of 14 attempts.
“He has really improved his game. He is a lot quicker off the block and in the paint. He is getting good shots and trying to get up strong,” Almodobar said.
Against Provincetown at home on Saturday, the Whalers missed some open shots early, but used their defense to get the offense rolling.
“We did a good job with our press and anticipating where the pass was going and we were hustling. When you are hustling when you are pressing, good things are going to happen,” Almodobar said.
Butler scored nine points in the first quarter and the Whalers led 26-7. In the second quarter Butler and Delroy Lawrence dominated the boards as the Whalers scored eight straight points off offensive rebounds and led 47-22 at the break.
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Photo by Nicole Harnishfeger
Boys varsity basketball action against Provincetown last Saturday, Feb. 9.
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Every dressed player got in the game and scored points for the Whalers on Saturday. In addition to 19 points and 10 rebounds from Butler, Lawrence knocked down 16 points and collected eight boards. Jordan Ferreira and Troy Sullivan scored 11 each.
Provincetown’s Ben Lortier, who was ejected in the third quarter on a technical foul by officials, led the Fishermen with 10 points. Cody Silvia chipped in nine.
Against Sturgis last Thursday, the Whalers came out with a half-court press and went up 22-0 after the first quarter against the Storm. With the second unit in the game, the Whalers took off the press in the second quarter and Sturgis battled back to outscore Nantucket 11-7.
The Whalers led 29-11 at the break.
“We want to make sure everyone gets in, but we were taking too quick shots coming down the floor and we have been working on that,” Almodobar said.
Nantucket got back on track in the second half and cruised the rest of the way for the win.
“We played really well as a team. I liked the way we moved the ball against Sturgis,” Almodobar said.
Butler paced the Whalers with a game-high 21 points, while Ferreira scored 17. Evan Hourihan scored eight and Eric Lowell contributed six points in the win. Zac Camp led Sturgis with 10 points.
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