Somerset Berkley boys' basketball tops Masconomet in Division 2, qualifies for first state final since 1954
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Riding a 17-game win streak, Masconomet (21-2) took control with a 20-7 second quarter, posting a 25-11 rebounding edge in the first half to secure a 32-18 lead at the break.
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Things were looking good for Jimmy Farrell (left) and Cal Weidman in the first half as Masconomet raced out to a big lead against Somerset Berkley.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Junior captain Jimmy Farrell entered halftime with a game-high 12 points, but only scored 3 in the second half as the Raiders ramped up their defensive pressure, forcing six turnovers during an initial 10-0 run to change the game. They eventually opened a 40-36 lead on a 3-pointer from senior captain Brendan McDonald (13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists).
Somerset has stormed back with a 16-4 run to tie it at 36 late Q3. Finn Bjork controlling the paint with the putback here.
— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)
Once Masco settled into the up-tempo style, the Raiders were forced to respond. Junior Dom Taylor (18 points) came up with a pair of clutch 3-pointers and a driving layup to turn a 51-51 deadlock into a 59-53 lead.
'Our mentality was just to make [the Chieftains] uncomfortable,' Taylor said. 'They're really good in the set offense. We just had to make them play faster than they wanted to, and that's what we did.'
Somerset Berkley's Dom Taylor (13) drives baseline past Masconomet's Thomas Denton (21) during the second half of Monday's Division 2 State semifinal at UMass Boston.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Finn Bjork (16 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks) won the battle against Masco's twin towers Jamason Vella (16 points) and Thomas Denton (9 points, 14 rebounds) in the second half. Max Finlaw (10 points) and Colten Pacheco (7 points, 4 steals) helped seal it with defensive pressure and key shots down the stretch.
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'How can it not feel great?' said Slater, referencing the program's first state finals appearance since 1954.
'Just to have a chance to win a state championship. We have restaurants live streaming the games in our town. I don't think the kids realize how much they've done for the community. It's been a great experience.'
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