Wamesit 8th Grade A Squad Splits a Pair

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by the coaches and administrators of the Wamesit Warriors Basketball program.)

Warriors 8th Grade A 49, Leominster 47
The 8^th grade ‘A’ Wamesit Warriors from Tewksbury beat Leominster in an exciting and close contest, by a score of 49-47, ending with Justin Derrah taking the ball the length of the court on an inbounds pass and converting a shot with 3 seconds remaining to break the tie.

Eight different Warrior players scored, led by Derrah’s 24 points and 15 rebounds. Andrew White was a force in the first half with two baskets, and made it difficult inside the paint for the Leominster front court. Nick Dunlap stepped up his offensive game with 7 points, including a big 3-point basket in the second half.

Devan Bere and Ryan Bain each converted on 3-point shots to help open up the inside, and Josh Asselin and Ryan Briggs each scored. Briggs, Dunlap, and Jack Theriault were instrumental in breaking the opposing full court press. Connor McLean contributed 4 points and his usual outstanding defensive effort, along with Brady Rodgers, who again was a much needed spark off the bench for the Warriors.

 Saugus 59, Warriors 8th Grade A 47

The 8^th grade ‘A’ Wamesit Warriors from Tewksbury lost a competitive game against Saugus, by a score of 59-47.

The Warriors kept it close before turnovers and foul trouble put them in a hole that was difficult to dig out of. After breaking even in turnover ratio in the first half, the Saugus pressure forced twelve second half turnovers. Six players got into the scoring column for the Warriors from Tewksbury, with Ryan Briggs adding 7 points and a couple of steals, Nick Dunlap scored 4 points, including a nifty move inside as he was fouled, to go along with 4 assists and 2 steals.

Devan Bere hit a 3-point shot for the third consecutive game, Connor MacLean had a solid all-around game with six rebounds, 2 points, and a steal. Jack Theriault played a scrappy defensive game, responding well to adversity. Josh Asselin, Brady Rodgers, and Ryan Bain helped to keep the game in reach with solid rebounding and defense.

Justin Derrah was leading scorer and rebounder, with 29 points and 12 boards. Special thanks to Kathy Theriault and Nick Bain for their contributions.