Boys' Basketball Escapes with Win over Masconomet

The sixth-seeded Woburn High boys’ basketball team led No. 11 Masconomet by 10, 55-45, heading into the fourth quarter Tuesday night in the first round of the Division 2 North sectional at .

Just over four minutes later, the game was tied, 63-63, and Woburn coach Tom Sullivan called a timeout with 3:40 left on the clock.

On the next possession, Woburn’s star point guard Mickel Simpson drove to the basket, hit a shot and was fouled. He converted on the three-point play to give his team a 66-63 lead, leading to a 73-65 win.

“Mickel kind of willed his way to us winning that game,” Sullivan said.

Simpson had five of his team-high 24 points in the fourth quarter, but more importantly, shut down Masconomet’s Adam Bramanti late. The junior had 32 points in the game, but none in the last four minutes with Simpson guarding him.

After Simpson’s play, Masconomet’s Alexander Brown hit two free throws with 1:40 to play to pull his team within one, 66-65.

Woburn center Bill Claflin then scored on a put-back with 1:20 remaining, and teammate Matt Littleton hit two free throws with 1:03 left after a defensive stop to put the Tanners up 70-65.

Woburn senior Shane Galvin scored on a lay-up and Littleton hit another free throw to make the final 73-65.

Galvin only had 2 points in the contest but played quality minutes, according to Sullivan.

“He was a giant for us,” he said.

Claflin had 21 points and seven rebounds for the Tanners. Shooting guard Mike Sallese had 11 points, while Littleton had 8 points and five assists, Brandon Daughtrey 7 points, 5 assists.

With Woburn leading by 13, 55-42, just before the end of the third quarter, Bramanti swished a three-quarter court shot at the buzzer off of an inbounds pass.

Masconomet then opened the fourth quarter with an 18-8 run to tie the game.

Masconomet center Zachary Zaniewski had 11 points, Brown 10.

Woburn (17-6) advances to play the winner of No. 3 North Andover (16-4) and No. 14 Melrose (11-9) sometime this weekend.

North Andover beat Masconomet by 12 and 7 in Cape Ann League play earlier this season. Woburn split its season series with Melrose, winning by 17 on the road and then losing by 3 at home.