Hamilton-Wenham shocks Newburyport 49-44 with late-game run in boys basketball

February 8, 2013 Peter McClelland

Peter McClelland

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. -- The Hamilton-Wenham Generals pulled off a remarkable comeback in the final four minutes and defeated the Newburyport Clippers, 49-44, in Cape Ann League action on Thursday, the eve of the blizzard.

Hamilton-Wenham (9-7 overall and 9-5 in the CAL) edges ahead of Newburyport (10-6 overall and 8-6 in the CAL) with this victory in the battle for second place in the Cape Ann League Division One standings.

However, the Generals next game is at North Reading Tuesday night against the undefeated Hornets.  The Clippers travel to last-place Pentucket on the same night.

For three and a half quarters in this game the best run of points the Generals could put together was four.  Somehow, in the last four minutes of regulation, the visitors put a string of 12 unanswered points together.  In the process, HW turned a seven-point deficit (44-37) into a shocking, 49-44, victory.

Newburyport took the lead early and attained a seven-point lead in the second quarter (24-17) and boosted that spread to double digits (36-26) in the third quarter.  Even with four minutes left the Clippers advantage was seven (44-37).  They clearly looked as if they had this one under their control.

But they didn’t.  An old-fashioned three-point play by Henry Eager (11 points), a converted rebound by James Foye and a layup by Eager and this one was tied, 44-44, with 1:42 left.

A steal by Nikos Lara gave HW the ball back and Foye sank one of two free throws (45-44).

Next Clipper possession, Colton Fontaine’s shot from in close was blocked by Eagar. Foye then made both free throws with 22 seconds left (47-44).

Still within range to tie, the best Newburyport could get was a forced three from Colby Morris that missed.  Shawn Kotch was fouled after getting the rebound and the sophomore canned both free throws with three seconds left (49-44).

The Generals made five straight free throws in the final fifty-one seconds.

Foye, the 6-foot-2 sophomore (23 points) was impressive.  He was the primary ball-handler for HW and rarely forced his offense.  He faced tight coverage (mainly Adam Traxler) all night long yet had few turnovers.  

Ian Michaels had a terrific second quarter collecting 12 points in a variety of ways. However this was the only quarter Michaels scored

HW made 15-for-18at the charity stripe.

Newburyport won the first meeting with the Generals, 54-50, in December at Hamilton.

Hamilton-Wenham started the season inexperienced and 1-5.

Hamilton-Wenham box score

Newburyport box score

From McClelland Miscellanea

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