RallyNorth.net

Clippers get the best of the Indians

Friday, February, 15 By John Shimer
Staff writer

In the season finale of the River Rival action, Newburyport and Amesbury did not disappoint playing an emotional, hard fought yet clean barn-burner at the Nock School in Newburyport.

Playing with poise in the final quarter, the home-side favorite Clippers | headed to state tournament with a 12-7 record after one more game with St. Clement Monday | got the best of the Indians for a 4-point victory, 47-43.

Perhaps the River Rivals best big man and certainly the most consistent | Chris Barry | was nothing short of brilliant for the Clippers. Scoring nine second half points, Barry finished with 11 points and had an astounding 20 rebounds.

"Chris (Barry) is a tough kid, he missed some shots early, but he stuck with it and made the big shots when it counted," said Newburyport coach Tom L'Italien, who added it was great to see both teams play such an emotional game with great sportsmanship. "But, we really won this game on the defensive end.

"Ben Brink | who I think quietly is one of the better defenders in the league | did an excellent job on Billy Medvitz holding him to only three second half points," continued L'Italien. "And Sam Melanson did a real nice job boxing out on Steve Serwon. Both teams really left it out on the floor and it was nice to come away with the win."

After Newburyport lead 20-16 at the half, the Indians were able to come back and tie the score heading into the third quarter, 31-31. But, the problems that plagued Amesbury for most of the season occurred once again against the Clippers | nonexistent clutch shooting.

Newburyport on the other hand was a cool 9-10 from the free throw line and held on for the close win.

"We came up a little short," said the deflated Amesbury coach Thom Connors. "Someone had to win, and we did everything we needed to stay in the game, but we couldn't hit the big shot at the end."

Other standouts from the game included Joe Clancy, who really filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. On the Indians side, despite a rough second half Medvitz finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Serwon had nine points to go with his incredible 16 rebounds.