RallyNorth.net

Brooks 55, Governor's Academy 46

NORTH ANDOVER — At one point with about five minutes to play in the second half, Brooks School boys assistant coach Mike O’Connor pleaded with with his sensational Bryant University-bound point guard Ikenna Ndugba.

“I’m not taking you out the rest of the way!” screamed O’Connor.

Ndugba and Brooks closed the deal brilliantly, running away late from Governor’s Academy, 55-46, in the opening round of the New England Prep Class B quarterfinals here yesterday.

Saturday in the NE Prep semis, Brooks will host the Canterbury School.

Every time Brooks needed a play, a pass, a knock-down three or a strong drive, the senior Ndugba was there.

He finished the afternoon with a team-high 25 points.

O’Connor took the Brooks reins for the afternoon as head coach John McVeigh tended to a family health issue. Being without its leader, Brooks was not flustered.

“We have a lot of confidence in all three of our assistants, OC, Coach Jones and coach (Mike McVeigh),” said junior Pat Freiermuth of Merrimac. “We came out there and just tried to focus on playing our game, even though we didn’t have coach.”

Freiermuth, pressed into duties as a starter, continued to play well up front with 9 points and 8 rebounds.

After leading Pentucket Regional to the Division 3 North title last year and a trip to TD Garden, Freiermuth is no stranger to the big game.

“I think last year helped prepare me for this, you know, playing in front of such big crowds in such big games,” said Freiermuth, who has heard from Division 1 powers in football like Notre Dame, Duke and Boston College already. “You get a little nervous, but having the experience of last year really helps.”