Boys’ Varsity Basketball Caps Off Opening Night Sweep

Unlike the outcomes of the freshman and junior varsity games earlier in the afternoon, the Westwood High School boys' varsity basketball team battled down to the wire Tuesday night, picking up its first victory of the season against Bellingham 69-56 under first-year head coach Steve St. Martin.

In a game that featured both teams scoring in spurts, the Wolverines had the final say in Tuesday night's home opener, scoring the last eight points of the evening.

Despite just two fourth-quarter field goals, Westwood outscored the Hawks 15-9, thanks largely in part to the positive turnaround in free-throw shooting.

After going just 3-9 from the line in the first half, Westwood connected on 11-14 foul shots in the final period, including four in a row by senior Jake Indursky to close out the game.

With less than two minutes remaining and a five-point lead in hand, junior Glenn Parsons hit two free throws to widen the gap for Westwood.

On their next offensive possession following a Bellingham turnover, Indursky launched a pass the length of the court to senior Macston Maccow, who put in a layup to ice the game for the Wolverines.

Coach St. Martin talked about the battle in the fourth quarter and how impressed he was with his group.

"It was interesting for me to see," St. Martin said. "The very first game we're in, adversity strikes and how do you respond? And can you duplicate that time after time? Our guys responded. They played hard, smart and stuck together, and that was what was so good about it."

Sophomore Joe Lally led the way for the Wolverines with 17 points, including four three-pointers. St. Martin said his success was more about the process.

"Of course we talk about the end result that he hit the shot but the fact that we made the extra pass and got the ball to him - guys were unselfish, and that was impressive," St. Martin said.

Maccow was close behind with 16 points, including eight straight to end the first quarter.

The Wolverines showed their tenacity not just on offense, but on defense, as they constantly showed a full court press.

"We play with this aggressive style so we don't have any regrets," St. Martin said. "We don't wish we played harder or we don't wish we made the tempo faster. That's the style you want to run not to get turnovers or quick shots in the first or second quarters, but by the fourth quarter, guys on the other team might be more tired than we are."

Westwood stole the ball from the Hawks nine times, including four from Maccow, who added six rebounds and two assists. Juniors Erik Maloney and Parsons each had nine rebounds for the Wolverines.

Westwood looks for its second win Friday night when they travel to Holliston.