Every 12 months, the Boston City League basketball championship delivers its justifiable share of highlights, from high-flying dunks to buzzer beaters.
It is perhaps a model new period with the latest teaching modifications at Burke. However, the successful custom has merely carried on for the Bulldogs, with some help from Jaeden Roberts. The junior capturing guard erupted in his newest efficiency, ending with a team-high 24 factors as Burke clinched its third straight journey to the finals with a wild 71-66 win over rival East Boston on Wednesday.
“The start of this game gave you a glimpse of who we are,” mentioned Burke coach Joe Chatman. “If we can maintain that, I’m confident that we can beat anybody in the state. The biggest thing that I need them to understand is that when you are going like that, the other team is not going to quit. … Those kids fought back with pride. So it’s a good thing, it taught us how to persevere.”
The recreation was a matchup between BCL powers. For a lot of the opening half, Burke appeared unstoppable. At one level, the Bulldogs held a 28-2 edge via one quarter. Then, the Jets started to slowly chip away. The Bulldogs watched their lead wilt to 69-66 following a put-back by East Boston’s Javon Wise Normill within the remaining minute.
With solely seconds to go, nevertheless, Roberts iced issues with a free throw. Burke (16-3) additionally acquired nice performances from Jaeshawn Rogers (15 factors, 5 rebounds) and Gerald Banks (12 factors).
Senior guard Draggo Tejada Feliz paced East Boston (15-6) in scoring (17 factors), whereas senior ahead Christian Sanders added a double-double (16 factors, 11 rebounds).
“(A title) would mean everything to us,” Chatman mentioned. “To be a city champion is a bragging right. Obviously, the ultimate goal is to be a state champion, but you can’t accomplish one without the other first. We think we have a real shot.”
In the nightcap, sophomore star Jaylen Hunter-Coleman proved to be a catalyst, sinking a whopping 38 factors as Charlestown overcame an early 10-point deficit en path to punching a ticket to the finals for a second straight 12 months with a 74-47 drubbing of Latin Academy.
For a lot of the early going, the Townies (16-2) struggled to search out any semblance of an offensive rhythm and comprise Latin Academy freshman middle Krem Amparo. Charlestown trailed 16-6 via one quarter.
Then, in a symbolic twist, Hunter-Coleman opted to take away a set of goggles he had tried out to open the motion. Meanwhile, the Townies switched to a full-court press for which the Dragons merely had no reply.
“Usually I don’t wear goggles,” chuckled Hunter-Coleman. “But my eyesight isn’t that bad, so I decided to try them out. I’m just not used to it yet, so I just took them off, and played how I play.”
Charlestown closed the half on a 21-4 run, seizing a 29-22 benefit on the break. Hunter-Coleman added six steals for his staff, whereas junior Jaylin Williams-Crawford registered a double-double (14 factors, 12 rebounds).
Amparo carried Latin Academy (14-6) with a 19-point effort.
The win units up a championship rematch between the Townies and Bulldogs.
“It always feels good to be in this position,” mentioned Charlestown coach Hugh Coleman. “From my early days here as an assistant, to my early head coaching days at Brighton, to being back here. It feels good because I think it’s a testament to the hard work, and the dedication of everyone. Not only the coaching staff, but the kids (as well).”
Source: www.bostonherald.com