BRIDGEWATER – Led by senior point guard Noah Perry Lewis, Bridgewater-Raynham advanced to the Round of 8 in the MIAA Division 1 boys basketball tournament, defeating Boston Latin, 59-46.
“We knew we couldn’t lose,” said Perry Lewis, who led all scorers with 17 points. “That’s what it came down to for us.”
Bridgewater-Raynham (18-4) jumped ahead 16-9 in the opening quarter. Their ball pressure, exhausting full-court press, and deftness for playing the passing lanes forced Boston Latin into repeated turnovers, stretching the lead out to 18 before settling on a 13-point advantage, 31-18, at the half. Latin was able to narrow the deficit to nine (43-34) entering the fourth, but the host Trojans created second and third chances with their nonstop effort on the glass.
“Rebounding is one of our strengths,” said Bridgewater-Raynham coach Doug Alves. “This group, they play tough and with a lot of heart.”
Junior forward Cason Faulk embodied the team’s tenacious spirit and drive. His all-around performance disrupted Boston Latin.
“That’s my favorite thing to do,” said Faulk (12 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists). “I love going in the paint, being aggressive, and getting the rebound. Our defense won us this game. We communicated, too – we talked, we were loud, and we kept fighting.”
The clock struck midnight for Boston Latin (20-2), which entered as the No. 24 seed. No. 8 Bridgewater-Raynham was expected to win but powered by senior leader Yakub Fiin (14 points, nine rebounds) and sophomore sensation Will White (16 points, eight rebounds, three steals), the Wolfpack scratched and clawed their way within seven points in the fourth.
“Hats off to B-R,” said Boston Latin coach Jerry Etienne. “We gave them all we could. We fell short, but I couldn’t ask for a better group to coach. All year long, our guys fought. My kids have a lot of heart. I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”
Next up for Bridgewater-Raynham is a road game Thursday against top-seeded Franklin (22-1). A year ago, Franklin eliminated Bridgewater-Raynham from the state tournament. Faulk and his teammates are determined to write a different finish to this season’s story.
“Now we have to go into Franklin’s house,” said Faulk. “We know it’s going to be tough.”
Alves and his coaching staff are excited to get back to work and prepare for the top-ranked team in the state.
“Our motto is ‘never say die,’ ” said Alves. “We don’t want to die on Thursday, so going into Franklin, we’re going to have to bring it.”