Burlington Boys Basketball Falls 72-55 to Woburn

In a showdown between two of the three best teams in the Middlesex League, fell to Woburn 72-55 on Tuesday night, dropping them into a tie with the Tanners for second place in the Middlesex League. 

Woburn came out in the first quarter and got off to a hot start shooting from beyond the arc.  Mike Sallese, Brandon Daughtrey and Mickel Simpson all connected on threes to put the Tanners out in front.  Burlington battled back though, taking an 18-17 lead after the first quarter. They were paced by Ryan Putney and Connor Gallivan who combined to score 17 of the points. 

In the second quarter Burlington went into a full court trap on defense in hopes to create some turnovers and turn them into easy buckets. Woburn guards Simpson and Daughtrey did a good job breaking the press and not allowing them to do so.  Center Bill Claflin also was big in the second quarter on the defensive end.  He did not allow Burlington any easy buckets inside and made sure points came at a premium in the second quarter.  Woburn took a 32-28 lead at the half.

Woburn came out in the second half and began to build on their lead.  Simpson and Claflin proved to be a good inside outside combo, with Simpson shooting and Claflin doing the work down low.  Burlington had one more run in them and they were keyed this time by Greg Sheridan. He was able to cut the lead to four when he drove to the hoop and got the bucket and the foul.  Simpson made sure that was as close as the lead would get though as he himself got an old fashion three point play the next time down the court.   

Woburn took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter and it would not get any closer than that.  Daughtrey played well down the stretch for the Tanners getting to the free-throw line and hitting his shots.  Claflin was also huge down low just wearing Burlington out inside.  Simpson would finish as they games high scorer with 30 points.  Claflin would finish with 15 and Daughtry 11.  Mike Sallese also pitched in nine, all his points coming from beyond the arc.  Simpson and Claflin also finished near double digits in rebounds. 

Putney was the high scorer for the Red Devils with 16 points and eight rebounds.  Sheridan was next in line with 13 and Gallivan had 10.  Without question Burlington felt the loss of star guard Zach Hurynowicz.  The senior guard, who became the first Red Devil to top the 1,000 point mark earlier in the year, has now missed the last three games and it is unclear if and when he will return. 

The loss ended a season high four game win streak for the Red Devils. They will try to get back on track Friday night on the road against Wakefield, a team they beat earlier in the season.