| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spaulding | 11 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 45 |
| Pinkerton | 15 | 11 | 12 | 21 | 59 |
Wednesday, March, 10
By Hector Longo
Staff writer
DERRY, N.H. - Losing track of Alex Patrikis might have been the fatal error that sealed Spaulding's fate.
The 6-foot-4 Pinkerton Academy junior shook loose for a career-high 18 points with a dozen rebounds in the Astros 59-45 Class L tourney-opening win over the Red Raiders.
Pinkerton, the No. 2 seed, now hosts seventh-seeded West Saturday night (7 p.m.), with the winner there punching a ticket to the final four next week at UNH.
"Just fantastic," exclaimed Astro coach Pete Rosinski about Patrikis' performance. "He's been that third guy, that if you're covering our two bigs (Zach Mathieu and Ben Proulx), he's the guy we can go to. He's getting some great offensive rebounds, too. Alex is getting himself into the right position, and they see him, if they're doubled than he's open."
Patrikis wasn't in uniform last year when Pinkerton was stunned in its home prelim.
His early sense of urgency, with nine first half points and seven boards, was evident, though, last night.
"I was a little nervous, but (the seniors) calmed me down. We were ready," said Patrikis, who hammered the offense glass from the opening possession, making Spaulding pay dearly. "Teams focus on Ben and Zach and that opens it up for me. I know it's their year, but if I'm open I'll take it, and they look for me."
Pinkerton led 15-11 after one, 26-20 at the break and 38-30 into the fourth when the visitors made their one run.
A lead that had been 15 shrunk to four, 40-36, with six minutes left.
Spaulding's Brad Mondoux (game-high 21, 5 3s)sizzled, while the Astros momentarily reeled.
But sophomore Kevin Colbert made his only hoop of the night, a 3-pointer from the right foul-line extended that got the Pinkerton minds back on business.
From there, the Astros rode Mathieu, who dominated the stretch run with 11 of his team high 20, including a pair of dunks, in the final quarter.
Rosinski likes the way his 16-6 club is playing right now.
"Ben is playing tough, and Zach has been great," said Rosinski. "Our guards have really come along. Look at us in the Christmas Tournament, 25 or 30 turnovers a game in the Christmas Tournament. Now the kids are working. They see the advantage of working the ball, and I'm really proud of them."
Class L first round
Spaulding (45): Giullian 0-3-3, Cronin 2-0-6, Brad Mondoux 7-2-21, Christy 2-0-4, Paradis 2-0-4, Roderick 2-0-4, Juneau 0-1-1, Russell 1-0-2. Totals 16-6-45
Pinkerton (59): Park 2-2-8, Colbert 1-0-3, Williams 0-0-0, Feeney 0-0-0, Light 1-2-4, Sullivan 0-0-0, Curry 0-0-0, Patrikis 7-4-18, Proulx 2-0-6, Mathieu 8-4-20. Totals 21-12-59
3-pointers: S — Cronin 2, Mondoux 5; P — Park 2, Colbert, Proulx 2
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Derry, NH 03038
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