Portsmouth High School Basketball Team Wins Division Matchup 75-65

The boys basketball team (6-3) hosted the LaSalle Academy Rams (6-3) on Tuesday night in a highly anticipated Division I match up. The Patriots rose to the occasion in front of their home crowd, defeating the Rams 75-65.

Both teams struggled to find their rhythm in the opening minutes of play, as the Rams took the early lead, 9-4.  

On the next possession, the Patriots found junior forward Evan Hole open in the corner to hit a three-pointer. On the next two ensuing possessions, sophomore guard Henry Bolton scored two baskets, giving the Patriots the lead 11-9, five and a half minutes into the game.

Momentum and the home crowd carried the Patriots to an 18-7 offensive run against the Rams. Half of the points scored were on three-pointers made by Evan Hole, senior guard Ryan DeLuca and junior guard Matt Occhi.

The Patriots continued their fast-break offense and smothering full-court defense through the remainder of the first half. Finishing off the half, senior center Michael Dublin hit back-to-back baskets, along with Hole hitting three consecutive scores, including his third three-pointer of the game. The Patriots led going into halftime, 41-27.

The start of the second half resulted in an even matchup. Each team matched the other shot-for-shot, with Ryan DeLuca hitting consecutive three-pointers for the Patriots.  Six minutes into the second half, the Patriots held a 16-point lead over the Rams of LaSalle, 55-39.

The Rams began to apply a full court press on defense in the second half, catching the Patriots off guard and causing costly turnovers and a couple of traveling calls.  Taking advantage of this the Rams rallied for a 14-6 scoring advantage, bringing their deficit to just eight points with just more than four minutes remaining in the game.

The Rams fought to close the gap, but the Patriots would not allow it, keeping their poise and hitting key shots down the stretch , including back-to-back three-pointers from Bolton and Occhi.  

The Patriots would finish the game shooting from the foul line as LaSalle attempted a last-ditch effort to save time on the clock by fouling and sending Patriots to the line. The Patriots hit six of eight from the line during the stretch to retain the lead and earn the victory over LaSalle, 75-65.  

The Patriots' top performers of the night include four players scoring double-digit points; Evan Hole with 21, Michael Dublin with 15, Henry Bolton with 13 and Matt Occhi scoring 11.

Portsmouth boys' travel to Providence to take on Division I North opponent Mt. Pleasant High School (2-6) on Thursday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m.