Walpole High School Boys Basketball team started off their 2016 season on a high note, defeating Bishop Feehan 60-50 on Tuesday December 13. Walpole and Bishop Feehan went back and forth for the first three quarters, but the Rebels pulled away in the fourth thanks to the hard work of Walpole’s starting five, who all combined for 57 of Walpole’s 60 points.
The Rebels won the opening tip and jumped out to a 24-15 lead by the end of the first quarter. Senior shooting guard Jordan Washburn nailed a total of three three-pointers and senior center Brett von Klock also netted some hard earned points from within the paint. Senior captain Luke Esty also was on his game from the field to help increase Walpole’s lead. The Feehan Shamrocks fought to bring the game back into reach at the end of the first, but Washburn hit his third three pointer of the quarter at the buzzer.
“I did good in the first half because of how hard we practice and my teammates helped me get good open shots. We always do shooting drills and it helped me be a better player” said Washburn.
Bishop Feehan was not deterred by the Rebels strong start as they quickly cut the lead to 28-23 early in the second quarter. Feehan put Walpole on the defensive the whole second quarter as the Shamrocks slowly chipped into the once strong Rebel lead. The Rebels closed the half with a slim 34-33 lead.
Walpole and Bishop Feehan continued to go back and forth throughout the third quarter. Every time the Rebels seemed to get some breathing room the Shamrocks responded with baskets of their own as Walpole finished the third again with only a one point lead, 47-46.
“We need to get better on our [defensive] rotations but that comes with time” said senior center James Randall on Walpole’s defensive performance in the third quarter.
At the start of the fourth, Walpole seemed to be back to its first quarter self in large part due to senior captain Isaiah Shephard. Shephard heated up at the right time, for he scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half.
Esty added a critical three-pointer to put the Rebels up by six with only minutes remaining. Randall and Von Klock gave a great effort to shut down the paint in the fourth quarter allowing only four points from Feehan.
“We just worked hard to get in the right positions and that led to us getting the rebounds” added Randall after the win.
The Rebels next matchup is against Bay State foe, Brookline, on Friday. December, 16.
Written by: Tommy Wilber
Photos by: Ciara Healy, Julia Kane, and Kelsey Mazzocca
