RallyNorth.net

Whittier's season ends in quarters

Sunday, March, 04 By Jeff Hamrick

HAVERHILL – Last night, Whittier became the second Commonwealth squad in as many days to find out how tough the Northeastern Conference is.

Seeded first in the Division 3 North Sectionals, the Wildcats were run out of their gym by eighth-seeded Saugus 67-53 in quarterfinal action.

The Sachems (13-9) also knocked off Greater Lawrence in the first round by 20 points after playing a league schedule that included six teams that advanced to the Division 2 playoffs and eight postseason teams overall.

The 53 points scored by Whittier (18-2) were the second fewest of the year while the 67 points allowed were the second most scored by an opponent.

“They were active,” Whittier coach Tom Sipsey said. “I like to say we’re athletic but (Saugus) is athletic and very quick. They’re constantly moving. I told my guys I hoped we could match their energy and tonight we didn't do that.”

Over 4:16 of the first half, Saugus, who finished fourth in the NEC South, scored 21 straight points to take a 27-10 lead with 5:22 left in the second, and it didn't stop there. That run was part of a stretch where Saugus went six of eight from 3-point range and 11 of 16 overall en route to a 35-15 lead with 2:55 remaining in the opening half.

“Three timeouts happened in that run and nothing changed,” Sipsey said. “We’re making defensive adjustments and we just didn't execute.”

While Saugus was dominating on the offensive end, the Sachems’ 2-3 zone was styming the Wildcat attack. By the time the rout was over, Whittier finished with 15-of-65 shooting (23.1 percent).

“We see zone, but we don't see zone like that,” Sipsey said. “We don't see zone with that kind of edge to it. They took away our spots. Fifteen field goals in a state tournament game I don't care what seed you are or where you’re playing, you’re not going to win. It's not like we weren't offensively prepared. We play against zone in our league every game.”

Ryan Grant paced the Wildcats with 19 points while Frongillo and Justin Reyes added 11 and 10, respectively.