Boys Basketball: West Wins Injury Fund Game Against EG

In an Injury Fund matchup between two teams that have a slew of inexperienced varsity players, Cranston High School West defeated East Greenwich High Friday night, 50-37.

The Falcons took control of the game early, jumping out to a 12-4 lead. But the Avengers’ scored eight straight points to tie it up at 12-12. Brandon Eckles had two baskets and two free throws during the stretch. Nolan Cooney also scored a basket.

EG took the lead, 19-17, when Ryan Gavin knocked down a 12-foot jump shot with 1:25 remaining.

Just prior to the half, Tevin Goins grabbed an offensive rebound for the Falcons off of a missed free throw attempt. Goins quickly fed the ball to Konnor Gershkoff underneath the basket who laid it in.

The Avengers capitalized on the 13 fouls West committed in the first period, as they sank nine of 10 free throw attempts.

“We have to try to be aggressive on defense while at the same time keeping our hands off the person we’re guarding,” said Falcons’ head coach Jim Moretti.

West’s guards made a concerted effort to push the tempo to start the second half, resulting in a 12-2 run for the home team. Gershkoff capped the spurt with back-to-back layups.

EG stayed within reach for a while due to the inside presence of Eckles and Gavin. But mid-way through the half, the Falcons’ Eric Rosa responded with a pair of baskets in the paint, giving West its largest lead of the game, 46-31, with 3:00 left.

“I loved our defensive intensity and our effectiveness on the boards,” said East Greenwich head coach Craig MacKenzie. “But I would like to see us get the ball more to Brandon down low. He should be getting to the line 10 times a game.”

Eckles was the game’s high scorer with 16 points. Against Tolman on Dec. 8, the center led EG with 17 points. In the two games combined, the big man is 11-for-11 from the free throw line.

Gershkoff led the Falcons in scoring with 14 points, followed by Goins with 10. Rob DeCosta scored all eight of his points in the second half. Rosa chipped in six points.

“Until our scoring becomes more consistent, we have to generate some baskets off of turnovers,” said Moretti.

Last season, West’s senior-dominated lineup was led by All-State point guard Bryan Yarce.

“With less experience at the point, I expect teams to come at us this season, whereas last year they had to back off,” predicted Moretti.

This year’s Avengers’ lineup features seven sophomores and a freshman. Of the 37 points scored against West, 26 were contributed by the sophomores and freshman.

“Our players are still getting their feet wet, but I believe in them and I’m happy with their progress,” said MacKenzie. “It helps us to play against a team like Cranston West.”

West will host Barrington on Monday at 7 p.m. EG will host Our Lady of Fatima on Thursday at 7 p.m.