The St. Bernard’s Bernardians defeated the Bromfield Trojans, 61–44, in the last game of the season, Thursday night, Feb. 15, at Bromfield.
Despite the loss, Bromfield eighth-grader Jayden Ndjigue stood out, scoring 21 points. Not only was he Bromfield’s leading scorer, but he also scored more points than any player from St. Bernard’s. In an interview with the Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise, St. Bernard’s Coach Mark Pierce praised Ndjigue’s play. “Our focus was on [senior Jackson Harrigan],” he said. “We left some gaps open. He took advantage and hurt us tonight.”
The Bernardians took the lead immediately with a 3-pointer and a 2-pointer. Bromfield senior Harrigan was first to score for the Trojans with a 2-pointer. For the next three minutes the teams traded baskets to tie the score 10–10 at the end of the first quarter.
At the start of the second quarter, Ndjigue broke the tie with a 2-pointer. But the Bernardians quickly added 5 points of their own and continued to gain, building a 9-point lead before Bromfield scored again. At this point the Bernardians were just far enough ahead to prevent the Trojans from catching up, and the second quarter ended 32–20, St. Bernard’s.
Although far behind, the Trojans didn’t give up. At the start of the third quarter, junior Patrick Flanagan and sophomore Nathan Rogers each scored a 2-pointer. Then the scoring went back and forth between the two teams. The quarter ended with a narrower lead for St. Bernard’s, 46–37.
A comeback was still possible for the Trojans, but after scoring one 2-pointer, they let St. Bernard’s gain 6 points before they scored again. In the end, Bromfield couldn’t close the gap. The boys sank one more foul shot and a 2-pointer, but the game ended 61–44.
This game left the Trojans’ overall record for the season at six wins and 12 losses. The team had no league wins, losing eight times to its Mid-Wach League Division D opponents.
India Bartram is a Bromfield junior.
