The Bromfield boys basketball team avenged their only league loss of the year Jan. 28, defeating the West Boylston Lions by a score of 69-40. It was the Trojans’ sixth straight victory in a streak that has endured since Jan. 3.
Trojans captain Brian McCullough paced his team through the first quarter, scoring nine points in the first four minutes. He easily beat Lion Joe Dankwah on three consecutive possessions, before West Boylston began to double-team the Bromfield point guard. McCullough’s fellow captain Jeff Yates added four points in the quarter off two offensive rebounds.
Coming into the second quarter leading by eight, Bromfield’s Sam Shepherd provided a boost off the bench. He grabbed six boards in the game to go along with a block and four points. Bromfield’s sophomore point guard Matt Griffin also scored four points, while adding six rebounds and two assists. Bromfield ended the first half leading by a score of 35-23.
The duo of McCullough and senior forward Nick Ashe ran the West Boylston front court into the ground in the third quarter, with McCullough torturing the Lions on defense with four steals. Ashe scored thirteen points to go with six rebounds and three steals.
After McCullough exited the game, senior captain Luke Broganer ran the offense for Bromfield. Broganer, traditionally a sharpshooter for the Trojans, stepped into the role nicely, dishing out five assists before scoring a few of his own to finish with eight points.
The Bromfield bench took advantage of their fourth quarter minutes, limiting their opponents to just three points in the final quarter.
Yates grabbed 10 rebounds in the game, for his ninth double-double of the season. Bromfield shooting guard Sean Thurston continued his solid play in the role of small forward, shooting three for four from the field for six points and six rebounds. Thurston also had five rebounds and four steals.
McCullough finished with 22 points on eight of 11 shooting, five rebounds, six assists, and four steals. The final score was 69-40.
Three days later Bromfield faced off against Littleton, looking to retaliate for their season opener loss in Littleton’s gym.
The Trojans were losing by just two points at half time, but fell apart when Littleton brought on a half-court press. Bromfield lost 61-50, and fell to 8-6, but is still first in their league, with an in-league record of 7-1.
There were bright spots in the game, however, for the Trojans. Bromfield’s defensive specialist Jason Mandozzi played lockdown defense on Mid-Wachusett C’s leading scorer, Littleton forward Chris Murray, who averages 22 points per game. Murray scored just 11 points.
Also impressive in the game was senior Jeff Yates, who shot five of seven from three-point range, finishing with 18 points.
