RallyNorth.net

Duo leads Wildcats

HAVERHILL — Whittier senior Demario Scarpegnato couldn't keep up his torrid scoring pace Tuesday night, but he continued to elevate the Wildcats.

After averaging 27 points in his previous three games, Scapegnato was held to 17 but his 15 rebounds and all-around intensity helped Whittier surge past Weston, 57-47, in the opening round of the Division 3 North tournament.

"This was a little rough for me (scoring) tonight but I just like to do whatever I can to help the team," said Scarpegnato.

Scarpegnato did plenty in that regard, especially in the fourth quarter, scoring six points with five rebounds and a steal as Whittier broke open a close game by outscoring Weston 17-4 over the last four minutes to get the win and improving to 16-6 on the year.

Also big down the stretch was 1,000-point scorer Anthony Buckley, scoring seven of his game-high 20 points. Kevin Schrow chipped in with five points in the final frame.

Early on, Weston was burying 3-pointers. drilling five in the first quarter alone to take a 17-7 lead that was shaved to 24-20 at halftime.

"We weren't putting up the effort defensively that we needed to, but we changed some things and itr worked out," said WHittier coach Dave Charbonneau.

Then, looking at Scarpegnato and Buckley congratulating each other on the victory, said: "I don't know what I'm going to do without those two next year."

Alas, they'll be together for at least one more game as the Wildcats face Bedford in the quarterfinals on a day still to be determined.