RallyNorth.net

Mon, Dec 29, 2014 02:45 PM @ Pinkerton

Team	1	2	3	4	Final
Watertown	7	11	24	8	50
Pinkerton	15	15	16	14	60

Commonwealth Classic: Pinkerton wins first title in its 19 years in tourney

Wednesday, December, 31 By Michael Muldoon

NORTH ANDOVER — At one point, Coach Peter Rosinski was hollering “rhombus, rhombus.”

Maybe that was a code to turn to simple Geo-metry. Super sophomore Geo Baker-Occeus took over in the fourth quarter when the Astros were in a major offensive funk and lifted the New Hampshirites to a 60-50 win over perennial Massachusetts small school power Watertown.

The win in the Hixon Division finals gave the Astros their first-ever title at the 40th annual Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic.

Baker-Occeus, a slender 6-2 transfer from BB&N in Cambridge, finished with a team-high 14 points (7 of 9 shooting) to go with five assists, five steals and just one turnover.

The Astros (4-0) led by as many as 17 late in the first half but Watertown, which has won two Division 3 Mass. state titles in recent years, came back with the long ball and had it to five twice in the fourth quarter. Pinkerton missed seven layups in the fourth quarter and it looked like it could be a meltdown.

But the sleekest Geo this side of Detroit righted the (champion) ship.

Baker-Occeus’ coast to coast drive made it 53-46. Then he showed his brilliant vision, spotting a wide-open Drew Green for a 3-pointer to give PA a 56-48 lead with 2:20 left. Then, Tom Romick’s no-no-yes corner jumper all but sealed the deal.

“It’s nice for us to win it,” said Rosinski. “It’s a great tourney. One of the reasons why we come here is you play great programs (like Watertown).”

The Astro offense was up and down but Green and Hixon Tourney MVP Matt Rizzo led a stellar defensive effort against a Watertown club (2-3) which, for 21 years under head coach Steve Harrington, has lit up the scoreboard.

Rosinski said of Baker-Occeus’ inspired play, “We expect him to do it.”

Rizzo, a 6-3 junior from Derry, is the glue guy.

“Rizzo was outstanding on both ends. Gritty, gritty,” said the veteran coach. “He’s our energy guy.”

Rizzo said, “I knew if we kept playing, we’d win. Geo just brings a different element. His ability to get by his man is unbelievable. Me, I just fight to the end. We’re 4-0 and last year we were a .500 club.”

Romick had the big shot and finished with a team-high nine rebounds. Vastly improved 6-9 Tom Olson had nine points, seven in the first half when the Astros took the big lead. Brennan Morris and Caleb Godin added eight each.

Mike Hagopian led the Red Raiders with 14. After a scoreless first half, Brendan Hoban, who was averaging 22 points, pumped in 11.

HIXON DIVISION AWARDS

Coaches Awards: Derek DiPietrantonio, Watertown; Caleb Godin, Pinkerton.

All-Tourney: Matt Rizzo, Pinkerton, MVP; Jared Gott, Salem; Wabissa Bede, North Andover; Mike Hagopian, Watertown; Brendan Hoban, Watertown; Geo Baker-Occeus, Pinkerton

Pinkerton 60, Watertown 50

Hixon Final

Watertown (50): Brendan Hoban 4 2-3 11, Julio Fulcar 2 0-0 4, Doug Leon 1 0-0 3, Derek DiPietrantonio 5 2-3 12, Nate Munson-Palomba 2 0-0 6, Mike Hagopian 5 1-1 14, John Korte 0 0-2 0. Totals 19 5-9 50

Pinkerton (60): Drew Green 2 0-0 5, Sam Dolan 0 0-0 0, Matt Rizzo 2 3-3 7, Tom Romick 1 1-2 3, Geo Baker-Occeus 7 0-0 14, Caleb Godin 3 2-4 8, Brennan Morris 3 0-0 8, Ben Olson 3 0-0 6, Tom Olson 3 3-6 9. Totals 24 9-15 60

3-pointers: P — Morris 2, Green; W — Hoban, Leon, Munson-Palomba 2, Hagopian 3

Watertown (2-3):  7 11 24  8 — 50

Pinkerton (4-0): 15 15 16 14 — 60