Boys Basketball: Thunderbolts Pound Patriots

On Friday night at Pilgrim High School, Cranston East's boys basketball team displayed great defense, an up tempo offense, and a great finisher with incredible hops. They handily defeated the Patriots 80-53.

Bolts senior Nate Isom scored four points during a 7-0 run, which gave East a 13-4 edge early in the first half.

Pilgrim would not fold as a baseline layup by senior Colin Douglas cut their deficit to 20-16. The Thunderbolts scored six out of the next seven points, capped by a fast break layup by senior Chris Kpahn, upping the lead to 26-17.

Cranston East closed the first half on a 9-3 run and led at halftime 39-27.

Early in the second half, the Bolts took control of the game with a dominating 15-0 run, that was punctuated by a fast break dunk by Kpahn.

After an easy layup by Pilgrim trimmed East's lead to 41-32, the Bolts scored 15 points in a row, to take a commanding 24 point lead.

Senior Albert DeRobbio scored eight of his 16 points during the run. On the final play of the scoring streak, junior Tyler Sullo stole the ball at halfcourt, and dished it to Kpahn who slammed it home with authority.

"Albert is the kind of kid who can get hot from the outside and he came out firing in the second half," Bill Coughlin, East's coach, said.

With four minutes left, Kpahn made another spectacular play. He shook his defender with a cross over at the top of the key, and drove hard to the hole, finishing with the slam dunk, increasing the lead to 70-46.

Cranston East cruised to the 80-53 victory, picking up an impressive road victory.

Bolts senior Patrick Marchand led all scorers with 18 points and Kpahn chipped in 14. Pilgrim junior Charles Johnson knocked down two three pointers and scored 11.

Coughlin praised his team's effort and intensity. "My kids played hard and they have high expectations this year," he said.