Reading Loses Close Game to Watertown

could not overcome the strong play of Watertown point guard Marco Coppola on Friday night. Coppola  led Watertown with 40 points and, despite strong play from forward Jerry Ellis-Williams, Reading dropped a tightly contested matchup 63-62. 

Coppola scored the game's first points on a driving layup and never looked back. After a great defensive series and another basket, he scored again on another drive down the baseline to put Watertown up 6-0. The Reading defense adjusted by closing down Coppola's driving lanes; the strategy proved ineffective as instead of driving himself, Coppola started dishing the ball to three point specialist Corey Donahue.

Donahue hit two consecutive three point shots to put Watertown up 12-5, prompting Reading Coach Paul Morrissey to call a quick timeout. The teams traded baskets after the timeout and the first quarter ended with Watertown holding a 16-9 lead.

In the second quarter Coach Morrissey tried yet another defensive adjustment, this time shutting off Coppola, but the senior point guard still managed to be effective by going to his post game.

"What can you say? He was incredible," said Watertown Coach Steve Harrington. "He had one of those nights." 

Reading did not go down easily, though. As the second half wound down, Trey Jones, Reading's speedy point guard, started to effect the game by pushing transition opportunities, scoring layups and creating easy opportunities for his teammates. He led a Reading surge in the second quarter, and the score stood at 29-24 at the half.

In the third quarter, Coppola once again came out on the attack. After an incredible display of driving lay ups and three point shooting, he staked Watertown to a 48-41 lead after three quarters. However, despite Coppola's strong play, Reading continued to fight. Junior Jerry Ellis-Williams began to use his size advantage and outside touch in the fourth quarter, hitting consecutive three point shots to bring Reading within three points, 50-47.

"Our defensive intensity needs to be more consistent throughout," said Coach Harrington.

After a timeout, Coppola nailed yet another three pointer to put Watertown up 53-47. As the fourth quarter wound down, Reading ratcheted up the defensive intensity and climbed to within two points with thirty seconds to play. On their ensuing possession, Trey Jones drove to the basket but missed a contested layup. Coppola grabbed the rebound and was promptly fouled. He hit both free throws to put Watertown up by four and seal the victory, despite a last second three point shot by Trey Jones to put the final score at 63-62.