LOWELL — The metropolis of Worcester has its state championship.
Tahlan Pettway scored 22 factors whereas Worcester North held off a robust second half effort from Needham because the Polar Bears captured the Div. 1 state championship with a 73-64 win over the Rockets in entrance of over 5,000 followers on Sunday evening on the Tsongas Center.
Worcester North is the primary public college from Worcester to win a Div. 1 state championship.
“This is legendary,” stated Worcester North coach Al Pettway. “Worcester being the second biggest city in New England, when I figured out no one had one a state title from here I could not believe it. Everyone rallied behind us. Everyone in the community. It was just awesome to see.”
For Al’s nephew Tahlan the celebration following the ultimate buzzer supplied an emotional second. Tahlan transferred into North from Burncoat previous to the college yr.
“I’ve been playing with these guys for a long time so to see them happy makes me even happier,” Tahlan stated. “To get it done with this type of group, the people I grew up with, and with my uncle — it just makes it that much more special.”
On the heels of 14 factors from Pettway and its tenacious half court docket protection, the Polar Bears led 33-20 on the half. Needham, nonetheless, used some strain of its personal to get again within the sport. Henry Bickford (20 factors) threw down a two handed slam and moments later Jackson Shaw scored off a turnover as a part of a 6-0 run that trimmed the deficit to 33-26.
Later within the third, with North now forward 40-32, Pettway caught hearth from lengthy vary drilling back-to-back treys to stretch North’s lead again as much as 12 factors. Worcester North’s perimeter protection, in the meantime, regained its footing and prevented Needham from hitting a 3 pointer till there have been six minutes left within the sport.
A Joseph Okla put again gave Worcester North (23-2) its largest lead at 17, 54-37, early within the third quarter however a 12-4 run highlighted by two Bickford three-pointers introduced the Rockets again inside single digits. Amir Jenkins and Teshaun Steele, nonetheless, every went good on the charity stripe to assist maintain off the Rockets and provides North its state title.
“When you drive and try to kick, Worcester is so long they get their hands on everything,” Needham coach Paul Liner stated. “We needed more stops. They hit some killer three-pointers every time we needed a stop. I thought we showed resilience tonight. Worcester though is just a great team and they’re very well coached.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com