The boy’s varsity basketball team narrowly lost 85-79 in an overtime thriller against the West Orange Warriors on Thursday night. Point guard Charles Washington erupted for 32 points as well as 2 rebounds, while point guard Hunter Martineau recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists. Small forward Trevor Recio also notched a double-double, scoring 13 points and collecting 10 rebounds. Despite the team’s impressive individual efforts, it wasn’t enough for the Wolves to pull out a win.
“We had every chance to beat a very good team that’s ranked and we just came up a little bit short tonight,” said Coach David Bailey after the game. “It’s just a couple plays here, a couple plays there that changes the whole ball game,” he added.
The game was closely contested from the start. The Wolves were down by 8 at the end of the first quarter, but managed to tie the game at 21-21 halfway through the second quarter. The Warriors were held to only 15 points in the second quarter, allowing the Wolves to go up 39-36 at halftime. Near the end of the fourth quarter, both teams had been battling for the lead and Hunter Martineau tied the game for the Wolves with a pair of free throws. Martineau heaved the ball from half court at the buzzer in an effort to win the game, but the shot fell short and the game entered overtime.
The Wolves unraveled in overtime, committing turnovers and allowing several easy shots as the Warriors took the lead and eventually won by six points. The Wolve’s record for the season is now 1-1, and they will play their next game tonight, Jan. 21, away at Freedom High School.