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Newburyport beats previously unbeaten Georgetown

Friday, January, 04 By John Shimer
Staff writer

Back on track thanks to a more efficient offense, the Newburyport boys basketball team ended a three-game losing streak with a 58-54 victory over previously-undefeated Georgetown.

Midway through the third quarter with the Clippers up 36-32 and the Royals trading baskets, Newburyport big man Chris Barry began to take over. He scored 11 of the Clippers' next 13 points and was dominant on the boards stretching all the way into the fourth quarter.

"I thought Chris (Barry) played like an all-league kid tonight," Newburyport coach Tom L'Italien said. "We knew their guards we're very good, but we thought we had an advantage inside with Chris and he played huge for us."

Georgetown would not go away though as Julio Colon countered for the Royals with a pair of baskets | the last of which was a nice one-two with Tim Holland on a fast break to tie the score, 47-47.

What happened next completely changed the course of the game. Ben Brink, who was guarding Royals star Jaymie Spears and thus was in foul trouble for much of the game, came off the bench to bury a 3-pointer, giving the Clippers a 50-47 advantage.

Newburyport would make a quick steal on the ensuing possession, and Joe Clancy would convert on an uncontested layup to give the Clippers their biggest lead of the fourth quarter.

Spears would hit a free throw to cut the lead to 52-48, and then Georgetown was able to get a stop. With 1:30 remaining Newburyport forgot to guard the Royals' captain Brandon Wade, and he swooshed a three from the right corner.

Clancy answered right back with a layup and hit a pair of free throws before Sam Melanson hit the Clippers' last hoop as Georgetown continuously turned the ball over down the stretch. A Spears 3-pointer at the buzzer made the final score, 58-54.

"For the first time this year we showed our youth tonight," said Georgetown coach Mike Rowinski. "Barry really hurt us inside, and we went to the wrong side of our offense down the stretch. Richie Burke was outstanding for them. They hit shots, and we just did not execute."

L'Italien said his team learned from the last few games, especially to be patient on offense.

"This game showed the best and the worst of us at times; at times we are undisciplined on offense and at other points we settled it down nicely," L'Italien said. "Our four seniors really stepped it up for us tonight."

Both Spears and Barry scored 17 points to lead their respective teams. Colon had 12 points and Holland had 11 points for Georgetown, while Clancy and Burke each scored 11 for the Clippers.