Colts Sweep Away Eagles in Boys Basketball Action

Make it three straight for Calhoun boys basketball. The Colts broke open a tight game in the second half and wound up running away with a 66-52 win over Valley Stream Central in Conference AA-III action Friday. Calhoun is now 6-3 in league play.

With several starters in foul trouble and the game tied at the half, Calhoun needed a spark, and received just that from sophomore Tommy Murphy. Murphy hit four straight three-pointers to turn a tight game into a 15-point lead early in the fourth.

"You really hope every game you find a shooter that gets going," said Jay Kreutzberger, Colts coach. "We did a really good job of finding [Murphy] open in the corners."

Murphy was just one of several Colts to contribute off the bench. Devon Pazmino saw action early, hitting a runner and his free throw to finish a three point play at the end of the first. Star center John Wigand found himself on the bench with foul trouble, so Justin Fields saw action and hit a couple of baskets.

The Eagles started to heat up offensively in the second, and took a six point lead.  Calhoun's Chad Fuschillo (7 points) hit a three to get his team back in it, and it was 35 all at the half.

The message at the half?  Improve on communicating on the floor.

"Coach gave a motivational speech during halftime, told us to play hard, give it your all," Murphy said.

The Colts sure did.  Tom Joannou (6 points) hit a layup to give Calhoun back the lead, and Murphy's sharpshooting streak began as the Colts held their opponents to single digits in each of the final two frames.

"Once we got in sync defensively and we communicated on the screens, we were able to shut them down," Kreutzberger said.  

Wigand led the Colts with 15 points. Danny Trepel had 13, and Murphy finished with 12 as Calhoun completed the season sweep of Central. 

Calhoun's playoff push continues Tuesday when they host Long Beach in league play at 6:30 p.m.