Westfield’s Rob Sullivan (13) makes an aggressive move to the basket. Teammate Justin Hebert (35) trails in the lane. (Photo by Chris Putz)
SPRINGFIELD – It was not easy, but the Westfield High School boys’ basketball team survived a mid-season test against a Springfield team.
Westfield rallied from a 10-point, third-quarter deficit to force overtime, where the Bombers escaped with a 67-64 victory at Rebecca Johnson School.
“We struggled with their speed,” Westfield coach Billy Daley said, “not necessarily their pressure, but the speed of the game. And they shot the ball extremely well.”
Joseph Crapps and Talon Brown combined for 26 of New Leadership’s points in the first half to race out to a 32-25 halftime lead. Westfield trailed by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, but cut the deficit to two, 40-38, entering the fourth.
Westfield led 50-47 with two minutes remaining. New Leadership reclaimed the lead in the final minute before Connor Sas hit a 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds remaining to knot the game at 53-53 and send the game into overtime.
For Sas, it was one of five second-half 3-pointers as he scored all 17 of his points in the second half.
Devin Wells, who finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds for Westfield, drained a 3 to open the overtime period. Wells then set up D.J. Florek’s shot which made it a six-point advantage. The Bombers led by as many as 11 points in overtime.
Florek finished with 12 points. Casey Willey, who along with Kyle Murphy and Rob Sullivan managed to slow New Leadership’s top offensive threats in the second half – Brown had 6; Crapps, 5 – was 4-of-4 from the free throw line in overtime. He finished with seven.
“We’re getting more and more accustomed to the speed of the game,” coach Daley said.
Alex Brown (6 points) and Justin Hebert (4) also provided a spark for Westfield, who is still without injured guard Isiah Headley.
St. Mary 61, Smith Voke 51
Justin Crosby (24 points) and Matt Plasse (22) led St. Mary to the home victory. Saints’ Anthony Garde had nine.
