BC High coach Bill Loughnane has been waiting for Jacob Seyfried’s breakout game and when it mattered most, it happened.
Seyfried scored a game-high 24 points including 14 in the fourth quarter to lead No. 27 BC High to a 67-56 win over No. 36 Everett in the preliminary round of the MIAA Division 1 Basketball Tournament on Monday night in Dorchester.
The Eagles (9-12) advance to play No. 6 Andover on Friday night in the Round of 32.
“I started off slow and then it just started to come naturally,” Seyfried said. “In the second half though I was able to find my groove. When you don’t make them the first few times, you have to keep shooting and that’s what happened to me.”
Everett led 29-25 at the break, but the Eagles came out firing in the third quarter. Seyfried and Owen Adams each completed three-point plays and Juju Sustache drilled a triple to even the score at 33. As the game took on a frenetic pace, BC High continued its offensive barrage with James Jones (15 points) making a layup and Seyfried drilling a corner three-pointer to put the hosts on top 38-33. The Crimson Tide remained well within striking distance with Henrique Pinto (24 points) finishing at the rim and Cristian Vasquez hitting a baseline pullup to even the game at 44.
Ahead by two points to begin the final stanza, the Eagles gradually pulled away. Jones had a three-point play and moments later Seyfried drilled a transition trey to stretch the lead to 52-44. Seyfried then showcased his full array of skills. The junior crossed his defender over and hit a teardrop in the lane and then drove to the basket before hitting a reverse layup to put the Eagles up 56-47 with four minutes left.
“The atmosphere here tonight was great and I love stepping up to the moment,” Seyfried said. “Both sides provided great energy with the Everett fans talking trash and our guys supporting us. It was a lot of fun.”
Courtesy of consecutive baskets from Geordiell Luna Morales and Jevaun Berberna the Crimson Tide took a 10-8 lead after one. The game picked up pace with the two sides exchanging leads on six different occasions. A Seyfried three-pointer gave BC High a 25-21 lead but the Crimson Tide closed on an 8-0 run, capped off by four free throws from Luna Morales, to go in front 29-25 at the break