WHITMAN — When facing its biggest challenge, Plymouth South relied on its tried and true formula.
Logan Volkringer scored 15 points while Plymouth South limited Whitman-Hanson to just 26 percent shooting as the No. 12 Panthers advanced to the Division 2 boys basketball quarterfinals with a 55-41 win on Tuesday night.
Plymouth South will play No. 4 Oliver Ames for a spot in the state semifinals, the date and time to be determined. In the regular season, Whitman Hanson defeated its Patriot League foe, 71-59.
“We used the first game to show our kids that we’re a much better team now,” Plymouth South coach Dave Costa said. “Any time you play a league foe, throw the records out because both teams know each other so well.”
Plymouth South has relied on its defensive pressure and physicality on the boards. Both aspects were on full display. The road Panthers held Whitman-Hanson (19-4) to just two second-quarter points and 10 fourth-quarter points.
Ben Frechette had 12 rebounds and five blocks while Volkringer added seven rebounds. Frechette held Patriot League Keenan MVP Dylan Perrault to six points.
“We need to defend and rebound at both needs to be successful,” Costa said. “It’s hard for kids to buy into that philosophy but ours have. It’s not sexy but it gets it done.”
Trailing 14-9 after one, Plymouth South turned the tide in the second quarter. Volkringer went to the basket for two layups while Frechette drilled an in and out three-pointer. At the other end, the visitors suffocated Whitman-Hanson with its pressure halfcourt defense. Whitman-Hanson did not score in the second quarter until there was 24 seconds left in the frame.
As the second quarter wound down, Max Arnold drilled a trey to put Plymouth South up 30-16 at the break.
Whitman-Hanson trimmed the lead to five in the third on a triple by George Tsiantoulas and a layup by Jah Estrela. Plymouth South, however, answered. Shane McDonald had a second chance basket while Frechette had one of his own.
Ahead 40-31 after three, South salted the game away in the fourth. Volkringer finished through contact and moments later Vinny Caferelli had a transition basket to give Plymouth South a comfortable 45-31 edge with five minutes left.