In losing a tough game to last years state champions, Catholic Memorial, the boys basketball team nearly clinched a birth to the Division South Finals. The Rebels’ playoff run included upsetting Falmouth, and last season’s D-2 South finalist, Dartmouth; sadly, their run ended in a 80-75 loss to C.M.
Walpole entered the post season after winning seven of its last eight regular season games (including sweeping their own Rebel Hoop Classic). They were peaking at just the right time when they faced off against the Dartmouth Warriors. Being the thirteenth seed and having to play the fourth seed, Walpole was forced to travel to Dartmouth. However, Dartmouth’s higher rank and home court advantage did not affect the Rebels. Walpole won the game 68-61 by playing their usual up tempo game, jumping out to a lead in the second half and then shutting down Dartmouth’s offense. The Rebels advanced to the quarter finals and faced off against Falmouth. Although Walpole was again the higher seed, they had no trouble with Falmouth. The Rebels easily handled Falmouth and ended up winning the game 52-44. Unbeaten through two rounds, Walpole advanced to play Catholic Memorial at Milton High.
A victory for either team meant that they would move on to play the finals at T.D. Bank North Garden. At the beginning of the game both teams exchanged baskets and seemed evenly matched. In the second quarter though, C.M. took over. The Knights hit their shots from the field and threw Walpole off of their game. At this point in the game Walpole lacked a dominant scorer and regularly turned the ball over. As a result, C.M. opened up a 23 point lead. Walpole cut the lead down to 13 at half; C.M. led 40-27.
Walpole made a series of small runs in the third quarter and got C.M.’s lead to under ten points. Walpole usually scored on two or three straight possessions and put the pressure on the Knights. Every time though, Catholic Memorial seemed to answer with their consistent shooting.
In the fourth quarter, Walpole’s senior point guard Marvin Toussaint led the comeback. He forced Catholic Memorial to turn the ball over several times. With his most energetic steal, he intercepted the ball and took it coast to coast for two, which he capped off with a powerful fist pump. At this point, the whole team responded to Toussaint’s emotional gesture. The Rebel’s defensive effort shut down C.M.’s impressive shooting. Specifically, senior guard Ryan Terp had a couple big time blocks and senior guard Chris Ferro effectively demonstrated the defensive slide drill, shutting down C.M.’s front court. These defensive stands spurred offensive production and now Walpole was rolling. Hitting a couple of big three’s, Marvin Toussaint and Ryan Terp closed the gap to three points. With Walpole on the doorstep of a twenty three point comeback and with the crowd back in the game, the Rebels looked good going into the last two minutes.
C.M. though would not give in and again the Knights started draining their shots. Walpole, still down three had no way of coming back. The Rebel’s went on to lose by five, 80-75.
At the beginning of the basketball season no one paid any attention to the boys team. Everyone focused on Walpole’s girls team, which allowed the boys to go under the radar. The boys tried to prove that they were just as dominant as the girls and in the end, both teams went deep into the playoffs before being bounced from the State Tournament.
