Enfield Comes Back From Early Deficit to Top Crosstown Rival Fermi

Enfield recovered from an early 11-0 Fermi run, assuming a two-point lead at halftime then pulling away for a 66-52 victory before a packed house in the Falcons' gymnasium Friday night.

"It's the rivalry game, so you can throw talent, records and everything out the window," Enfield head coach Cory O'Conell said. "Both teams want to win and have that pride factor around town. I told my guys at the beginning, they're going to be hyped up. I was proud of my guys, how they came through, stuck together, didn't panic at all and just pulled through."

Paul Lima led the Raiders with 22 points, including four 3-point baskets. Ra Preston had 16 points, while Kevin Camidge added 11.

For the Falcons, Josh Murphy poured in 14 points.

Fermi used its 11-0 spurt to grab a nine-point lead by the end of the first quarter. Enfield countered with a 22-11 second quarter, taking a 30-28 advantage into halftime.

Josh Liebla tied the score for the Falcons in the opening minute of the second half, but Enfield embarked on a 19-4 surge over the final seven minutes of the third quarter to pull comfortably ahead. The Raiders stretched their lead to 20 at one point, while Fermi could get no closer than 12 in the final eight minutes.

"We knew we had it in us," Fermi head coach Bob Evans. "We played our pace, but unfortunately we had some turnovers and they capitalized."

Enfield (3-0) will compete in the Plainville Holiday Tournament, starting Thursday against Cromwell. Fermi (0-4) is idle until Jan. 2, when it hosts Hartford Public at 7 p.m.