Boys Hoops Fights Off Charging Wilmington [VIDEO]

It took a little longer than they hoped, but the Melrose boys basketball team earned a road win against Wilmington on Friday night.

The Red Raiders built up a double digit fourth quarter lead that was eventually erased completely by host Wilmington. But Melrose bounced back in overtime as the locals snagged a 72-71 win that puts the team in the driver's seat for a Middlesex League Small School Division regular season title.

Wilmington and Melrose were tied at 5-2 entering play, but with just two league games left on the schedule, the Red Raiders are now one game ahead of the Wildcats and Wakefield.

Frantzy Pierrot, a sophomore, led the charge with 24 points, senior captain Denzel Jones chipped in 14 markers, Matt Sherlock hit several key free throws en route to 12 points, and Samuel Jean Gillis dumped in 10 points of his own during the win.

Following the victory, Melrose is 12-2 overall and toppled Wilmington in both regular season meetings.

"You can look at it like we blew a 10-point lead, or this team is playing for the league championship as well," said head coach Mike Kasprzak. "They have a lot of heart and we have a tremendous amount of respect for Wilmington."