Boys Basketball: Thunderbolts Hold Off Falcons in Thrilling Contest

The rivalry between Cranston East and West basketball teams was renewed on Tuesday night at Cranston West High School.  East was ahead for most of the game and thanks to a late game comeback, squeaked by with a 48-46 victory.

Thunderbolts senior point guard Chris Kpahn drilled a three pointer two minutes into the game, pushing East's lead to 7-3.

Neither team could seize control or build a lead throughout the night. It was a close battle from start to finish.

Falcons sophomore Zach Ferri stole the ball at mid court and converted the layup, tying the game at 15, but East scored five consecutive points, capped off by a jumper by senior Pat Marchand.

West senior Konner Gershkoff scored the final four points of the first half trimming the Falcons deficit to 22-21.

During the first four minutes of the second half, the Bolts went on a 9-0 run, to take their biggest lead of the game at 31-21. Kpahn had a steal and fast-break layup and assist during the run.

After East's Tyler Sullo converted a second chance basket, giving the Thunderbolts a 33-26 lead with about eight minutes left in the game, West responded with a 12-1 run.

Falcons junior Tevin Goins had eight of his game high 18 points during the scoring streak, which gave West a 38-34 lead with about five minutes remaining.

"We had a lot of opportunities to extend the lead late," West's coach, Jim Moretti, said, "I think everyone is trying to make an extra play because we are having trouble scoring."

West lost four starters, Jeff Diehl, Bryan Yarce, Steve Rush, and Andrew Levy from last year's Division I championship team.

Following a timeout, East responded to the adversity well, using a 7-0 run to take a 41-38 lead. Senior Albert DeRobbio scored five of his ten points, during the run, including a huge three pointer which gave the Bolts the lead.

Over the final two minutes of the game there were two ties and four lead changes, as the drama built. With the game tied at 46, Marchand went to the foul line with 33 seconds left. He nailed one of two shots and Gershkoff was fouled on a drive to the bucket.

"Pat handled their pressure well and was dominant in the middle of the court," Bolts head coach, Bill Coughlin, said.

"We played together tonight, hitting the open man and we were hustling for rebounds," Marchand said.

He had an opportunity to give the Falcons the lead by sinking the free throws, but Gershkoff missed them both. Kpahn was sent to the line with five seconds left and made the first foul shot, pushing the lead to 48-46.

The Falcons came down with the rebound on the second shot, but a costly turnover ended the game. They lobbed the ball up the court and it was stolen by Kpahn at midcourt.

Gershkoff finished with 16 points and Kpahn had 10 points for the Bolts.

Coughlin praised the Falcons program after the game. "West is a very good team and is always well coached," he said.

"We battled and worked hard, I am proud of their effort," Moretti added.

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