RallyNorth.net

Methuen Rangers Boys Basketball '17-'18

Sat, Mar 03, 2018 07:00 PM @ Cambridge Rindge & Latin
Team 1 2 3 4 OT Final
Methuen 15 13 14 21 7 70
Cambridge Rindge & Latin 16 13 16 18 9 72

Methuen falls short to defending champs

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Saturday, March, 03 By Jeff Hamrick

CAMBRIDGE — A few days after beating border-rival and conference-bully Central Catholic on the road, upstart Methuen went after an even bigger state power in Saturday night's Division 1 quarterfinals.

And once again the 11th-seeded Rangers found themselves with time running out and a chance to advance. This time, however, Methuen was unable to find the bottom of the net with a last-second shot in regulation before falling two points shy in overtime as No. 3 seed and two-time defending state champ Cambridge Rindge & Latin eked out a 72-70 victory.

"We prepare for (that kind of tough competition)," said Methuen coach Anthony Faradie, whose team rebounded from injuries and suspensions in a 2-4 season start. "We knew we could play with anybody. We feel we're as good as anyone. And we had our opportunities tonight."

Senior Dante Rivera, who had the game-winning points against Central, once again powered Methuen (13-9), scoring a game-high 36 points on 13-of-24 shooting and added four steals. He also scored the Rangers' final four points in regulation.

The game featured eight ties and 14 lead changes — six in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Methuen trailed 53-47 early in the fourth quarter, but the Rangers used a 16-10 run down the stretch to force overtime. Evan Hardy had a decent look on a three from the wing as time expired, but the shot bounced off the rim.

"We had a good look at it to take the last shot, but it just didn't go down," Faradie said.

Rivera put Methuen ahead 65-64 on a scooping layup with 2:27 left in overtime, but Cambridge (20-2) went back ahead on a fast-break layup and a putback with 1:35 remaining. An Angel Mejia drive closed the gap to 68-67, but the Falcons scored four straight from the line to take a five-point advantage with less than five seconds remaining. A Hardy trey with a second left provided the final score.

"(Rivera) was incredible," Faradie said. "What else can you say? Really all four of our seniors (Rivera, Mejia, Robyr Nherrison and Nick Clark, who sat the final 11 minutes of the first half with fouls) have been tremendous. Think what these kids have done. They're responsible for three straight tournament runs."

Cambridge, which had four players in double figures, now takes its 12-game winning streak in the postseason to play No. 2 seed Lawrence in a rematch of last year's quarterfinal match up the Falcons won 50-46.

"Eveything (about the Lancers) impresses me," Cambridge coach Lance Dottin said. "We played them last year, but the way they put points on the board this year is impressive." 

Game Statistics:

Division 1 North Quarterfinals

Methuen (70): Uriel Cirineo 2 0-0 5, Dante Rivera 13 5-6 36, Angel Mejia 2 0-0 4, Evan Hardy 3 2-2 10, Nick Clark 2 1-1 5, TJ Scott 1 0-1 2, Onyera Chibuogwu 3 0-0 8, Jhamyl Fricas 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 8-10 70

Cambridge Rindge & Latin (72): God West 1 0-0 2, Hakan West 3 2-2 10, Jonathan Cenescar 10 0-1 20, Aidan Keefer 6 2-2 15, Khai Smith 5 3-5 13, Adrian Williams 2 0-0 4, Jhkyos Neal 0 0-0 0, Andrew Anilus 2 4-4 8. Totals 29 11-14 72

3-pointers: MET — Rivera 5, Hardy 2, Chibuogwu 2, Cirineo; CAM — H.West 2, Keefer

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