Up first, the Boys…
Senior night honored three young men who have devoted their time and effort to Watertown Basketball — Higor Camara, Andrew Malovanyi and Benjamin Teixeira. Congratulations to all three of them and a tip of the hat for their contribution to Watertown Athletics and Raiders Basketball!
A season that has seen mostly struggles has been better of late, with the Raiders winners of four of their last five. Two were non-league blowouts against an inferior opponent (a home-and-home), but two were league wins, and one on the road. Every team wants to win Senior Night, and tonight was no different. For most of the contest it seemed as though Watertown would do just that — win — but, they went cold and flat in the fourth while Melrose, fighting to stay in contention for a D2 Tournament berth, found their way just in time to bring about overtime. And in overtime it was ALL Melrose as the Red Hawks outscored the Raiders 14-2 to defeat Watertown, 59-47.
The first quarter was a bit of a slog, as both teams struggled offensively. The only offense for the Raiders came courtesy of junior Michael Nshanian, who scored 8, four of four from the line. Both teams lit it up, relatively speaking, in the second. While Melrose featured a balanced output, Nshanian added 9 more on the way to 36 on the night. But, despite that impressive number, it was a harbinger of sorts for how the night would turn out. As Nshanian continued to score, the rest of the team stood around and increasingly their half-court offense became downright stagnant.
In the third more of the same, as 7 of the Raiders 10 points were scored by Nshanian. Fortunately for the Raiders, the Red Hawks weren’t much better. Senior guard Conor Smith came to life and scored 9 of the Red Hawk’s 11, but not much else was happening, and after three quarters it was 32-30 in favor of the Raiders. Early in the fourth, the Raiders looked like they might pull away a bit, but why ruin a good theme. Other than a Shane Garey 3-pointer late in the quarter when it looked like the game was getting away from the Raiders (and in truth it was) it was Nshanian or bust. He scored 10, the most important being a 3-pointer to tie it immediately after senior Tyler Garipay seized the lead for the Red Hawks with his second 3-pointer of the night. After Nshanian tied the game, Melrose had a chance to run out the clock and score the game winner, but they failed to execute and threw up an airball at the buzzer. Tied at 45 and on to OT.
In overtime, all the shortcomings of the Raiders on this night, and I suppose throughout the season, came to the forefront. They couldn’t come up with a big stop, they stood around on offense, shots didn’t fall, and the shots they took were hardly high-percentage shots as Melrose’s defense pushed the Raiders out to the perimeter and the Raiders never found a way to combat it. Smith had 5 in the OT, Casey 7, and all the Raiders could muster was a Nshanian FG, but it was too late by then, as the Raiders fell on Senior Night 59-47.
This is a good group of young men who have worked hard all season, but the Middlesex League is unforgiving. Every successful team needs talent and luck and grit and consistency. The Raiders just didn’t have enough of it all season long. The Raiders conclude their season by having to play the No. 17 ranked team in the state according to the Boston Globe, Burlington, on Thursday night. Burlington is seventh in the Division 2 power rankings as of Feb. 10, and is looking to make a long run come the tournament. Watertown played them tough for a half at home on a Friday night just weeks ago, and will certainly end the season by giving it the max effort needed to pull off the upset.
Congratulations again to the seniors, and to Coach Steve Harrington and his staff for another season devoted to teaching young men and putting the best team out there each and every game. See you in December at the NEW high school Gymnasium!
1 2 3 4 OT – F
Melrose 7 12 11 15 14 – 59
Watertown 8 14 10 13 2 – 47
Melrose
Smith… 22 points
Casey… 13
Watertown
Michael Nshanian… 36 points
Michael Caterino… 6
Remaining Regular Season Schedule:
Thursday February 12 @ Burlington, 5:30 pm
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And the Girls…
Senior night honored four young women who have devoted their time and effort to Watertown Basketball — Moya Flanagan, Lori Kouyoumjian, Morgan Macomber and Sophia Setouhi. Congratulations to all four of them and a tip of the hat for their contribution to Watertown Athletics and Raiders Basketball!
Early in the day Watertown Girls Basketball learned that they had moved up from 20 to 16 in the Division 3 MIAA power rankings. The formula-based ranking determines who qualifies for the D3 tournament that begins in a few weeks, as well as who is rewarded home games. Thirty-two teams qualify, and therefore the top 16 get a first round home game. The Raiders and Head Coach Mike Tempesta want a home game, of course. So, even though they clinched the division crown on Friday night, there was every incentive to continue to win and not allow the MIAA’s formula to send the Raiders on the road. Watertown took care of business, plain and simple, even though it wasn’t always aesthetically pretty. The Raiders won a hard-fought Senior Night contest, 56-46.
Coach Tempesta and his coaching staff did a classy thing in the first quarter, starting all four seniors along with sophomore Brook Lambo. Usually Setouhi is the only senior in the starting lineup. They unit played well and hustled, but both teams were as cold shooting the ball as the icicles hanging off of everyone’s house. All the Raiders could muster was 3 FG’s in the quarter, Melrose two. Score after one quarter therefore was 6-4.
Both teams thawed out a bit in the second, and as the starters — Keuchkarian, Haley and Brennock — gradually replaced the senior unit, the Raiders offense began to shift into gear. At the same time, it was a manic pace throughout the game, and both teams left points somewhere other than at the bottom the net. Senior Setouhi had two 3’s in the quarter on the way to 8 on the night. At the half, it felt as though the Raiders were comfortably ahead, even though the lead was just 7, 18-11.
One of the reasons the Raiders have has such a good season is that each player contributes in different ways. Setouhi’s superpowers are smothering defense, great speed driving to the basket and a really good outside shot. Lambo’s superpowers include a million offensive moves, rebounding and excellent ballhandling for a “big.” Brennock’s superpowers include a reliable 3-point shot and excellent defense. Haley’s superpowers include probably the best pure outside stroke and range on the team, and the potential to be an excellent defender with her long wingspan and good instincts. Keuchkarian’s superpowers include great instincts at both ends and a nose for the ball and the right play, along with a variety of ways to create offense for herself and her teammates. Martin’s superpowers include a developing post game that is going to be unstoppable some day, and great rebounding skills. All-together, a young but formidable group that is only going to get better.
At the half, both coaches must have told their teams to, in the words of dentists everywhere, rinse and spit. In other words, go out and play and forget about the struggles of the first half. And both teams did just that in a really wild and woolly — and fun — third quarter. Keuchkarian had a monster quarter with 11 points, mixing in drives and outside shooting. Brennock chipped in 7, including a couple of impressive drives. But, Melrose came to life as well, with six different players finding the scoresheet. Sophomore Zoe Breay led the way with 7 points. But the Raiders were in control, in theory, and ahead by 11 after three. The Raiders scored a couple of hoops to start the third, including one of two by senior Morgan Macomber on the night, but Melrose hit three straight 3’s at the other end, and the 9-4 exchange cut the lead quickly to six.
But, the clock became Melrose’s enemy, they only made 2 more FG’s after the three-flurry, and the Raiders maintained their poise. And at the end of the night, with time running out, senior Moya Flanagan was fouled and went to the line to shoot two. And with all in attendance cheering for the devoted Senior, she made the second to join six other Raiders on the scoresheet. Final score, Watertown 56, Melrose 46.
The Raiders move to 11-4 in the league, 11-6 overall. They finish league play Thursday at Burlington, and then head to a holiday tournament Monday and Tuesday hosted by Foxborough. The competition will be stiff. Foxborough is ranked fifth in the state by the Globe, and is No. 2 in the Division 2 power rankings. Other participants are Wellesley (D1) and South High out of Worcester, ranked fourth in the D1 power rankings.
After that, it’s wait and see to find out the fate of Watertown’s D3 seeding for the tournament, and their first-round opponent.
Congratulations again to the seniors, and to Coach Tempesta and his staff for a successful season, regardless of what results the tournament brings. And if the Raiders get a home tournament game, it will indeed be at the Middle School and hopefully many will attend in support of this team!
1 2 3 4 – F
Melrose 4 7 21 14 – 46
Watertown 6 12 25 13 – 56
Melrose
Breay… 17 points
Leeman… 11
Beshel… 8
Watertown
Natalia Keuchkarian… 19 points
Brook Lambo… 12
Aisling Brennock… 9
Sophia Setouhi… 8
Morgan Macomber… 4
Natalie Haley… 3
Moya Flanagan… 1
Remaining Regular Season Schedule:
Thursday February 12 @ Burlington… 7 pm
Monday & Tuesday, February 16 & 17, @ Foxborough Tournament… TBD
Division Three Tournament, First Round @ TBD… TBD