Tag Archives: Ian Michaels

June 4, 2013 · 9:40 pm

Newburyport upsets North Reading 4-0 to reach Division 3 North semi-finals

Pitcher Colby Morris celebrates after the final out

Ian Michaels dives into third with an RBI triple in the sixth inning

(North Reading) Newburyport lost twice to North Reading during the regular season but it didn’t matter as the Clippers upset the #1 seed Hornets, 4-0, in the Division 3 North quarterfinals at North Reading on a sunny Tuesday afternoon.

Newburyport (15-7) scored two unearned runs in the fourth and two insurance runs in the sixth and, combined with the shutout pitching of Colby Morris (6 hits/5 K’s), had enough to stun the D3 defending champions.

The # 8 seed Clippers have now won eight straight and return to action tomorrow (Wednesday) at Fraser Field in Lynn (4PM) to face Whittier in the D3 North semi-finals.

The last time Newburyport played at Fraser Field was when they won the Division 3 state title in June of 2011.

Ryan McAuliffe took the loss for the Hornets. Ryan had defeated Newburyport, 9-1, on April 17th striking out fifteen Clippers in a special victory that was Coach Frank Carey’s 700th win. This time around Ryan registered eight strikeouts but surrendered eight hits including a triple (Ian Michaels) and two doubles (Colton Fontaine and Scott Webster).

Winning pitcher Colby Morris struck out five while allowing six hits. The key for Colby was keeping the ball down as he limited NR to two flyball outs.

A low throw from shortstop Ryley Warnock gets away from Mike Brandano

A throw from Mike Brandano goes wide of Ryley Warnock

The unearned runs (4th inning) came after both Colby Morris and Connor Wiles singled with one out. First baseman Mike Brandano tried for a force at second, after fielding Connor MacRae’s grounder, but threw wide left of shortstop Ryley Warnock allowing Colby Morris to score. Later shortstop Ryley Warnock took a chance at getting Scott Webster on a slow roller and his throw went past Mike Brandano enabling Connor Wiles to come home with the second Clippers run.

Coach Carey visits Ryan McAuliffe in the sixth inning

The 2-0 lead grew to 4-0 in the sixth inning. Connor MacRae reached on a fielder’s choice with two outs. Ian Michaels, who had struck out twice previously against Ryan McAuliffe, blasted a high 2-strike pitch over Dennis Rollfs’ head in left field for a triple scoring Connor MacRae. Next batter, freshman Scott Webster, singled to left bringing Ian Michaels home.

The Hornets put two on with two out in the bottom of the sixth but Eric Gordon grounded out to second to end that threat.

In the bottom of the seventh, Shane Driscoll singled to lead off. However, Colby Morris struck out Ryan Sanborn looking and got Dennis Rolffs to ground into a 6-3 double play to end it.

NR had two on and two out in the third inning. However, Colby Maiola’s hard shot down the first baseline was snared by Travis Wile.

Scott Webster caught in a rundown

Newburyport tried a suicide squeeze in third inning but the bunt didn’t happen. Scott Webster, however, found a way to get back to third.

North Reading caught Colton Fontaine (he had doubled) in a rundown in the first inning.

An interference call on Hornets baserunner Dennis Rollfs turned a force-out at second into an inning-ending double play in the NR fifth.

The Clippers loaded the bases in the seventh inning but Ryan McAuliffe whiffed Connor Wile and got Connor MacRae to fly to centerfield.

North Reading was 22-4 in 2012. This season ends for them at 19-3. Coach Frank Carey’s career record now stands at 716-273.

Scott Webster had three hits for Newburyport and drove in a run.

Dennis Rollfs led NR with two hits.

Newburyport boxscore

North Reading boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Keith Linnane steals second

Colton Fontaine caught in a rundown

Steve Malenfant and Frank Carey discuss the rules

Travis Wile stretches for the last out

Colby Morris

Newburyport dugout

Ryley Warnock gets a forceout at second base

Connor Wiles crosses with the second Newburyport run

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Filed under Newburyport, North Reading

Tagged as Coach Frank Carey, Colby Morris, Colton Fontaine, Connor Wile, Dennis Rollfs, Ian Michaels, Ryan McAuliffe, Ryley Warnock, Scott Webster

April 18, 2013 · 7:57 pm

Newburyport gets first win 9-5 over Saugus in baseball

Colton Fontaine had three hits and scored three runs against Saugus

Connor MacRae picked up the win for the Clippers

(Newburyport) Newburyport picked up its first win of the season as they defeated Saugus, 9-5, on a lovely Thursday morning in a nonleague baseball contest.

Lefty Connor MacRae went the distance for the Clippers (1-2) allowing five runs (one earned) on five hits. The senior K’d six.

This game was a struggle for both teams in the field.

Saugus (1-3) paid heavily for their miscues in the first two innings and fell behind, 7-0. It was Newburyport’s turn late in the game to pay for their mistakes but the Clippers early advantage was too much for the Sachems to overcome.

Shortstop John Prentice (back on his heels) had trouble with two grounders

The Clippers turned a nifty 6-4-3 double play in the first inning but that was the last time “nifty” would be used to describe either team’s defense.

Both teams had four errors and they were the costly kind. Of the fourteen runs scored, four of them were earned by my figuring. Equally stunning (shocking?) was the total inability of either team to throw out runners attempting to steal second. Again, by my unofficial count, eleven runners were able to make that first-to-second move and there was never a close play!

There were also walks (five for each team) and several wild pitches.

You get the point: there were plenty of lowlights but for the home team it was Win #1 of the young 2012-13 season with plenty of games left to get better.

Shane Ripley starts his slide into third as Colton Fontaine waits for a throw

Tom Trainor pitched the first two innings for Saugus when Newburyport built a 7-0 margin.

Shortstop John Prentice had two-out boots in both innings that accounted for three of the Clippers runs.

Colton Fontaine reached the leftfield fence in the first inning driving home teammate Ian Michaels with the first NHS score.

Later in the second inning Tom Trainor walked in two runs and tossed a wild pitch to allow yet another Newburyport tally.

Down 7-0 after two innings I started to wonder if there might be a mercy rule in a few innings. (Saugus had lost the day before to Danvers, 20-7, in a game both coaches stopped after six innings so that they would have pitchers available for today’s game.)

The Sachems picked up a run in the fourth inning. Tom Trainor singled past short to deliver Dante Deltorto.

Dante Deltorto had two hits and pitched three strong innings

Dante Deltorto pitched innings 3-5 and limited the Clippers to one run and one hit. But even that run (#8) was tainted as Colton Fontaine (3 hits/3 runs) was able to score from second on a fielder’s choice. Give Colton credit for taking advantage of the Sachem defense.

Saugus added two runs in the fifth to close to 8-3. Victor Dematteo’s sacrifice fly brought Shane Ridley (2 hits/2runs) home. The throw home by rightfielder Ryan Short went past catcher Connor Wile out of play and another Sachems run (Peter Pulicari) was allowed home.

Two more Saugus tallies were recorded in the sixth inning. Newly entered shortstop Caleb Stott threw away a 2-out, bases-loaded grounder and the Sachems moved to within three (8-5).

Shane Ridley pitched the Newburyport sixth. Ian Michaels was hit by a pitch leading off. Ian broke for second drawing a throw from catcher Victor Dematteo that sailed into centerfield allowing Ian to get third. A Shane Ridley wild pitch enabled NHS to add an insurance run.

That four-run spread (9-5) looked tenuous in the Saugus seventh after the first two runners reached – one on a dropped throw by first baseman Travis Wile.

Nick Enos and Travis Wile near the end of the game

However, on the next ball in play Travis made a big defensive play. Third baseman Colton Fontaine fielded a grounder and tagged the runner (Dante Deltorto) going from second to third. However, Colton decided to also try and throw the batter out and his throw was in the dirt. Travis made the block and prevented the ball from going out of play and giving Saugus another score.

Pitcher Connor MacRae then struck out Tom Trainor and got Nick Sweeney to pop to first ending the game.

Ian Michaels had a hit and scored three runs.

Catcher Connor Wile walked three times, had a hit, and scored two runs.

Dante Deltorto had two hits for Saugus and scored a run.

The weather was terrific for April – temps in the 60’s, with plenty of sun and a nice breeze.

Colton Fontaine caught in a sixth inning rundown

The next game for both teams will be on Saturday. Saugus is at Swampscott (10AM) while Ipswich will host Triton (10AM).

Saugus will be completely in the Cape Ann League next year.

Saugus in 2011-12 had enough wins in the Northeastern Conference to qualify for the Division 3 state baseball tournament. They reached the D3 North semifinals where they lost to eventual state champ North Reading.

Newburyport was 15-6 last season.

Newburyport boxscore

Saugus boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Shane Ripley had two hits and scored two runs

Connor Wile reached base four times and scored two runs

Ian Michaels scored three runs

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Filed under Newburyport, Saugus

Tagged as Colton Fontaine, Connor MacRae, Connor Wile, Dante Deltorto, Ian Michaels, Shane Ripley

February 26, 2013 · 12:16 am

Late Ian Michael’s three gives Newburyport 43-42 tourney win over Hamilton-Wenham

Ian Michaels cuts left to get room for game-winning three

Clippers celebrate the one-point win

(Newburyport) Ian Michaels drained a three with two seconds left to carry Newburyport past Hamilton-Wenham, 43-42, in a thriller on Monday night in Division 3 North First Round action.

The Clippers (14-7) will now face the winner of the Amesbury/Whittier game.

Ian’s exciting game-winner came ten seconds after Henry Eagar’s runner in the lane had given the Generals (10-9) a two-point lead and revved up the HW fans.

After a timeout the Clippers put the ball in Ian’s hands in the backcourt. The 5-11 senior crossed half court and looked as if he was going to use a high screen to go right (he’s a righty). At the last second, he used a crossover dribble to cut left and get separation from defender Nikos Lara. He then drilled the season-on-the-line long one.

James Foye (25 points) takes the last shot

James Foye launched a last-second heave from the backcourt that fell well short and Newburyport had the win.

This was a game when both teams had their very good moments and their very bad moments. The points came consecutively and both teams looked at various times like sure winners and sure losers.

Newburyport had point runs of eight, six and twelve. The Generals ran nine straight points and later ten plus a 9-1 segment after 3:44 of the final quarter.

Newburyport started fast (8-2) but by the end of the first quarter trailed, 11-8.

The HW lead was two (15-13) before the visitors put ten unanswered points up in less than six minutes during the second quarter. Surprisingly, sophomore James Foye (25 points) was not part of the scoring.

James Foye puts up a layup with Dillon Guthro closing for a block attempt

The damage was done by: Henry Eagar (3 free throws), a layup off a steal by Shawn Kotch, a jump shot by Nikos Lara, and a three by Ben Kozlowski. The Clippers had seven turnovers during the six minute dry spell.

That point barrage gave HW a 25-13 spread. A Matt Canning three closed the NBPT deficit to, 25-16, at the half.

The Generals still looked to be in good shape with a 31-20 advantage with 3 ½ minutes left in the third quarter.

But just when you thought the Clippers were cooked they started putting points up while HW couldn’t buy a basket.

Over the next 7:15 stretching into the fourth quarter, Newburyport sliced and diced the Generals to an 18-2 tune. Three assisted baskets by a cutting Colton Fontaine started the surge. The 6-1 senior added three free throws before three’s by Ian Michals, Dillon Guthro (old-fashioned), and Dan Baribeault had the Clippers looking unbeatable with four minutes left (38-33).

But James Foye (25 points) was still in the game. He nailed a three with 3:44 left and, after Ian Michaels missed the front end of a one-and-one, put in a layup to tie the score, 38-38, with 3:24 left.

Colton Fontaine (15 points) sees an opening

James missed the free throw that went with the layup and HW turned the ball over the next two times they had it. In between the HW miscues Colton Fontaine (15 points) had yet another assisted layup (from Ian Michaels) and up went Newburyport (40-38) with two minutes left.

Now it was Newburyport’s turn to turn the ball over two straight possessions. James Foye hit a baseline jumper in between the turnovers with 49 seconds left to tie the score, 40-40.

The Generals would grab the lead after a steal by Henry Eagar. HW had a timeout and thirty-six seconds to use. I’m betting that everyone on hand figured that James Foye would get the shot out of the possession. But it didn’t work that way. Matt Canning kept James outside and as the clock ran down Dylan Guthro joined him. James spotted teammate Henry Eagar open in the lane. Henry got the pass and hit a runner with twelve seconds to go.

The HW crowd started celebrating just a bit early and left disappointed after Ian Michaels hit the 3-point, game-winner.

Dillon Guthro blocks the shot of James Foye

6-4 Dillon Guthro (9 points) challenged every HW layup attempt and blocked several shots including a couple taken by James Foye.

Ian Michaels and Henry Eagar both tallied eight points.

Newburyport finished with twenty-four turnovers by my count. HW had sixteen.

Good crowd on hand. Plenty of excitement for the partisans of both teams.
Newburyport boxscore

Hamilton-Wenham boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

loose ball

Colton Fontaine gets inside for two

Dan Baribeault made two long ones

Henry Eagar (#11) scores with twelve seconds left

James Foye defended by John Baribeault

Henry Eagar (8 points) shoots over Ian Michaels

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Tagged as Dan Baribeault, Dillon Guthro, Henry Eagar, Ian Michaels, James Foye

February 7, 2013 · 11:33 pm

Hamilton-Wenham shocks Newburyport 49-44 with late-game run in boys basketball

Key block by Henry Eagar on Colton Fontaine late in the game

James Foye (23 points) gives the Generals the lead in the last minute

(Newburyport) The Hamilton-Wenham Generals pulled off a remarkable comeback in the final four minutes and defeated the Newburyport Clippers, 49-44, in Cape Ann League action on blizzard eve (Thursday).

Hamilton-Wenham (9-7 overall and 9-5 in the CAL) edges ahead of Newburyport (10-6 overall and 8-6 in the CAL) with this victory in the battle for second place in the Cape Ann League Division One standings.

However, the Generals next game (Tuesday night) is at North Reading against the undefeated Hornets. The Clippers travel to last-place Pentucket on the same night.

For 3 ½ quarters in this game the best run of points the Generals could put together was four. Somehow, some way in the last four minutes of regulation, the visitors put a string of twelve unanswered points together. In the process, HW turned a seven-point deficit (44-37) into a shocking, 49-44, victory.

James Foye in shot blocker territory

Newburyport took the lead early and attained a seven-point lead in the second quarter (24-17) and boosted that spread to ten (36-26) in the third period. Even with four minutes left the Clippers advantage was seven (44-37). They clearly looked as if they had this one under their control.

But they didn’t. An old-fashioned three-point play by Henry Eager (11 points), a converted rebound (James Foye), and a layup by Henry and this one was tied, 44-44, with 1:42 left.

A steal by Nikos Lara gave HW the ball back and James Foye sank one of two free throws (45-44).

Next Clipper possession, Colton Fontaine’s shot from in close was blocked by Henry Eagar. James Foye then made both free throws with twenty-two seconds left (47-44).

Colby Morris (14 points) shoots for a tie

Still within range to tie, the best Newburyport could get was a forced three from Colby Morris that missed. Shawn Kotch was fouled after getting the rebound and the sophomore canned both free throws with three seconds left (49-44).

The Generals made five straight free throws in the final fifty-one seconds.

6-2 sophomore James Foye (23 points) was impressive. He was the primary ball-handler for HW and rarely forced his offense. He faced tight coverage (mainly Adam Traxler) all night long yet had few turnovers. James had a steal-and-score late in the third quarter and a key rebound-and-score during HW’s remarkable 12-point finish.

Newburyport had the long ball working – six. Colby Morris (14 points) had four of them.

Adam Traxler defends James Foye

Ian Michaels had a terrific second quarter collecting twelve points in a variety of ways. The surprise was that these were the only points Ian had in the game.

HW made fifteen-for-eighteen at the charity stripe.

Newburyport won the first meeting with the Generals, 54-50, in December at Hamilton.

Hamilton-Wenham started the season inexperienced and 1-5.

Moving the game up a day to avoid the potential bad weather was a smart idea. However, I’m sure the coaches would have been more comfortable with that extra day to prepare.

Hamilton-Wenham box score

Newburyport box score

(All of the pictures above and below enlarge if you click on them.)

Dillon Guthro set to block

Henry Eagar

James Foye

Adam Traxler

Colby Morris

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Tagged as Colby Morris, Dillon Guthro, Henry Eagar, Ian Michaels, James Foye

January 21, 2013 · 8:28 pm

Newburyport holds off Ipswich 50-39 for eighth win in boys basketball

Sophomore Mike Shay had two layups off Ipswich turnovers

Colby Morris (15 points) had four 3-pointers

(Newburyport) The Newburyport withstood a late Ipswich rally and defeated the Tigers, 50-39, on Monday afternoon in a nonleague game.

The Clippers lead, which had been as high as fifteen points (37-22), was only six (41-35) with four minutes left in the fourth quarter.

At that point, the home team answered with a game-deciding seven straight points on layups by Colton Fontaine (14 points) and a 3-pointer by Colby Morris (15 points). A tenuous six-point lead quickly became a much more comfortable thirteen-point lead with two minutes left.

Newburyport (8-3) needs two more wins in their six remaining games to qualify for the MIAA tournament. The Clippers will be at Georgetown on Friday night.

Newburyport stung Ipswich (2-10) with six 3-pointers. Colby Morris had four of them including three in the first 5 ½ minutes of the game.

Adam Traxler and Matt Jaeger

While Colby had nine first-period points, Ipswich’s Matt Jaeger also had a three as well as two jumpers. The Tigers trailed only 15-13 after a quarter.

If Ipswich coach Alan Laroche could erase one of the four quarters in this game it would surely be the second quarter. Why? The Tigers tallied just five points, had seven turnovers, watched Newburyport score eleven straight, and trailed by ten (28-18) when that quarter was over.

Sophomore Mike Shay came off the bench to be the finisher twice in that quarter after Ipswich miscues. In the eleven-straight segment Ian Michaels (8 points) nailed a three and Colton Fontaine added a layup and a free throw.

The Clippers had another run of unanswered offense (eight straight) in the third period. A second Ian Michaels three combined with a layup, a converted rebound, and a free throw, all by Colton Fontaine, did the damage for Newburyport. This surge gave the Clippers a commanding 37-22 advantage with three minutes left in the third quarter.

Colton Fontaine (14 points) looks for an opening against Ipswich shot-blocker Erik Fyrer (11 points)

Ipswich was down but not entirely out as Erik Fyrer (11 points) led the Tigers back into a challenging position during the next six minutes of playing time. The 6-4 junior, despite heavy coverage by Colton Fontaine, posted eight points during the Ipswich rally and helped cut the Newburyport margin down to 41-35.

However, Newburyport was able to regain control and come away with their eighth victory of the season.

The Clippers have won four of their last five. The Tigers have lost seven of their last eight.

Ipswich will host Hamilton-Wenham on Friday.

Both Doug Hoak (Hamilton-Wenham) and Dave Clay (Triton) were interested spectators.

Colby Morris drives past Kyle Blomster

A team with multiple 3-point shooters will always be difficult to defend. With Colby Morris back, after missing five games, the Clippers can hurt opponents long range with Colby and Ian Michaels.

Colby Morris didn’t play in the regular season game with Ipswich that the Clippers won, 38-26. That was the game in which the halftime score was an uninspiring, 13-7.

Erik Fyrer ended up with eight rebounds and four blocks according to my statistician.

Dillon Guthro slid painfully into the stands.

Newburyport boxscore

Ipswich boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably and get into better focus if you click on them.)

Matt Canning defended by Aleks Kuljic (12) and Kyle Blomster (15)

Erik Fyrer goes for the block against Ian Michaels

Erik Fyrer puts a block on Drew Bourdeau

Dillon Guthro and Quinn OConnor

young Tiger fan

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Filed under Ipswich, Newburyport

Tagged as Colby Morris, Colton Fontaine, Erik Fyrer, Ian Michaels

January 11, 2013 · 11:39 pm

Newburyport rally falls short as Manchester-Essex wins 54-38 in boys basketball

Liam Aldrich (10 points) looks for someone to pass to

Ian Michaels (17 points) gets airborne

(Newburyport) Newburyport had Manchester-Essex on the ropes early in the final quarter but went verrrrry cold over the last six minutes and lost to the Hornets, 54-38, on Friday night in Cape Ann League action.

The Clippers (5-3) trailed by thirteen (37-24) in the closing minutes of the third quarter but, led by Ian Michaels (17 points), cut the lead to six (42-36) with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

But over the last six minutes Newburyport had only one basket (Dillon Guthro layup from Ian Michaels) and that enabled the visitors to pad their lead to a comfortable sixteen by game’s end.

Max Nesbit (19 points) sent the Hornets (5-4) into the comfort zone with an old-fashioned three and an assist on Sean Gutierrez’s layup. Liam Aldrich (10 points) capped the eight point run with an old-fashioned three. This consecutive point surge gave ME a commanding 50-36 advantage with three minutes left. They coasted in from there.

Petey Morton (8 points)

Newburyport, which had won five of their last six, was ahead for most of the first quarter, until a three by Petey Morton (8 points) gave ME their first lead, 16-14, in the last thirty seconds of that quarter. The Hornets stayed in front the rest of the game.

Manchester-Essex, which has now won five of their last six games, boosted their advantage to seven in the second quarter and thirteen in the third quarter before the Clippers made their run to within six points in the final quarter.

Senior Max Nesbit nailed four 3’s in the game and saw a lot more open looks than a player with his shooting reputation should have had.

The Clippers continue to play without ball handler/shooter Co-Captain Colby Morris. Poor shooting was certainly an issue for Newburyport versus ME but just as significant was shaky ball management. By my unofficial count, Newburyport had eighteen turnovers including nine in the second quarter.

Dillon Guthro (eight points) waits for a pass

Clipper Dillon Guthro (8 points) was injured in the first quarter and returned in the second quarter with a noticeable limp.

A good matchup was between point guards Adam Traxler and Liam Aldrich. Liam showed a fancy move down the lane in the third quarter that raised some ooh’s and ah’s from the crowd.

ME’s tallest player (Sean Gutierrez) went out with four fouls early in the third quarter.

Both ME and Newburyport have lost to undefeated North Reading.

The Hornets were 19-3 last season and 52-14 over the last three seasons. Coach Bryan Shields is a first-year coach. This year’s Hornets started with three straight losses but have done very well since.

Freshman Dan Baribeault chases a loose ball

Newburyport was 15-7 last season.

I was told that in their last game at Ipswich the Clippers had an 11-7 lead at halftime.

The Hornets will host Triton on Monday in their next game.

The Clippers travel to Rockport on Tuesday for their next action.

Manchester-Essex boxscore

Newburyport boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

halftime shooter

in bounds play

Max Nesbit had nineteen points

Taylor Ketchum splits the Clippers defense

Hornet Sean Gutierrez leans into John Baribeault

loose ball

Dan Baribeault finds an opening

Taylor Ketchum runs into defenders Matt Canning and Dillon Guthro

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Tagged as Dillon Guthro, Ian Michaels, Liam Aldrich, Max Nesbit

March 2, 2012 · 2:24 am

Newburyport gets a twenty-point lead by halftime and cruises to 56-42 win over Watertown in the D3 North

Ian Michaels (23 points) gets down the lane

Alex Losh defends Cory Fitzgerald

(Newburyport) Shorthanded Watertown got into a deep rut in the first half and never recovered bowing to Newburyport, 56-42, on a snowy/slippery Thursday night at NHS.

The win gets the Clippers (15-6) into the quarterfinals at home against #5 seed Arlington Catholic Sunday night at 5PM.

The #13 Raiders (6-15) were without Pat McHugh. Pat injured his ankle in practice two days ago. He had thirty-two points in Watertown’s opening win of the season. Significant loss…..you bet!

The Clippers were well rested (hadn’t played in nearly two weeks) and played nearly flawlessly on both ends of the court for the first half. Newburyport ran their lead to, 34-14, by halftime and the visitors would never get inside ten points the rest of the way.

action under the basket

Ian Michaels (23 points) had it going early with the Clippers first eight points. The junior guard had fourteen in the decisive first half.

Newburyport from the Cape Ann League ran some of basketball’s basic plays (backdoor cuts, pick-and-roll) to perfection. “Sharp” is the best way I can describe their execution.

Without Pat McHugh to score some points on the inside, Watertown from the Middlesex League tried to compete via the long ball. They ended up hitting seven of them but on this night Newburyport had answers.

Watertown’s best burst of offense was by Kevin DiPietrantonio (12 points) who connected on eight straight points with a layup and two triples. Kevin’s scoring brought the Raiders to, 47-33, 1 ½ minutes into the final period. But Newburyport answered with an Alex Losh layup on an inbounds play and an AJ MacDougall layin.

The Raiders cut the lead to ten (51-41) late but the early deficit was too much to overcome.

Brett Fontaine of Newburyport went down with an ankle injury in the third period and didn’t return.

sophomore Cesar Fulcar (16 points)

Cesar Fulcar led the Raider scorers with sixteen points.

Colby Morris had four assists in the Clipper first half.

Watertown had seven turnovers in the second quarter and that combined with looking for scoring to replace Pat McHugh hurt them significantly.

The win avenges a loss Watertown handed Newburyport (55-31) in the Division 3 North final at the Tsongas Arena last year.

The road conditions after the game were scary/dangerous. I couldn’t get my truck with studded tires up my driveway despite four or five attempts. Driving back to Watertown had to have been an “adventure” for the Raider fans.

Newburyport boxscore

Watertown boxscore

(The pictures above and below will enlarge significantly if you click on them.)