http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100130/SPORTS/1300355
Published January 30, 2010 in the Rutland Herald
Cosmos win defensive battle with OV
By CHUCK CLARINO Staff Writer
BRANDON – The Otter Valley pep band was smoking hot but the shooting by both Springfield and Otter Valley teams was as icy-cold as the temperatures outside
The Cosmos scored nearly half of their points during a four-minute stretch of the third period, took the lead and never surrendered it in defeating the Otters 34-29 in a Marble Valley League defensive freeze-out Friday at the House of Noise.
Each team played defense with intensity and commitment.
The Cosmos worked out of a combative man-to-man, while the Otters employed a quick, sliding 2-3 zone. But the key was that they were both effective.
To give you an idea just how effective, it was 4-2 Springfield after one period and 12-9, Otters at the half.
But into the third period, Otter guard Jessey Chapin hit a baseline jumper and the Otters took the largest lead of the game at 14-9.
However, the Cosmos dialed up the heat on the press, got a bucket from Ryan Brady, a turnover and a couple of quick buckets — and all of a sudden, the Cosmos reeled off 15-straight points. The run was finally halted with a free throw from Bradley Christian, but the damage was done.
"We scored just enough to win," Springfield coach Pete Peck said. "This is a tough place to play and both teams played very good defense. But we had a little run when we got after it in the third period, but this was typical our defense won the game."
The Otters had a world of trouble with the Springfield press and at no time did it hurt more than during that 15-0 run. OV committed nine turnovers in the pivotal third period and half of them led directly to Springfield putting points on the scoreboard.
"We had a little lapse," Otters coach Nathan Bellomo said. "That three- or four minute stretch really hurt us.
"But if you had told me before the game that we could hold Springfield to 34 points, I would have been very happy. Springfield can score and score points in a hurry."
Even though the Otters dug a deep hole, they came back and made a run at the Cosmos.
Down 24-16 after the third period, Otter Valley came back to close to 24-21 on a pair of Christian free throws at 3:59. Christian was a terror on the boards, snaring 11 with a couple of blocks and two steals. But he struggled from the floor as his shots caromed off the backboard or rimmed out.
Still, the Otters surged back with hard work.
"We just can't finish," Bellomo said. "I can't fault the effort, these kids work really hard but we needed consistent execution and we need to learn to finish."
The Cosmos virtually won the game from the foul line.
Springfield scored eight of their 10 fourth-period points from the stripe. But even that was a struggle as the Cosmos were 8 of 15.
"Hey, those guys played great defense and they gave us a run for the money," Peck said. "This was kind of an ugly game but the defense made it that way. We've got some guys who can shoot and score, just not tonight."
Boyle led the Cosmos with 13 points and had five steals to his credit as a lynchpin of the furious press.
Joey Massores led the Otters with 13 points and hit a big 3-pointer with 43 seconds left to get it to 31-28, but two turnovers and missed free throws spelled doom for OV. Christian chipped in nine points and Keke Frye came off the bench to contribute seven rebounds.
Springfield improved to 7-7 and hosts Mount St. Joseph Monday, while the 4-10 Otters host the Mill River Minutemen also on Monday.
Cosmos win defensive battle with OV
By CHUCK CLARINO Staff Writer
BRANDON – The Otter Valley pep band was smoking hot but the shooting by both Springfield and Otter Valley teams was as icy-cold as the temperatures outside
The Cosmos scored nearly half of their points during a four-minute stretch of the third period, took the lead and never surrendered it in defeating the Otters 34-29 in a Marble Valley League defensive freeze-out Friday at the House of Noise.
Each team played defense with intensity and commitment.
The Cosmos worked out of a combative man-to-man, while the Otters employed a quick, sliding 2-3 zone. But the key was that they were both effective.
To give you an idea just how effective, it was 4-2 Springfield after one period and 12-9, Otters at the half.
But into the third period, Otter guard Jessey Chapin hit a baseline jumper and the Otters took the largest lead of the game at 14-9.
However, the Cosmos dialed up the heat on the press, got a bucket from Ryan Brady, a turnover and a couple of quick buckets — and all of a sudden, the Cosmos reeled off 15-straight points. The run was finally halted with a free throw from Bradley Christian, but the damage was done.
"We scored just enough to win," Springfield coach Pete Peck said. "This is a tough place to play and both teams played very good defense. But we had a little run when we got after it in the third period, but this was typical our defense won the game."
The Otters had a world of trouble with the Springfield press and at no time did it hurt more than during that 15-0 run. OV committed nine turnovers in the pivotal third period and half of them led directly to Springfield putting points on the scoreboard.
"We had a little lapse," Otters coach Nathan Bellomo said. "That three- or four minute stretch really hurt us.
"But if you had told me before the game that we could hold Springfield to 34 points, I would have been very happy. Springfield can score and score points in a hurry."
Even though the Otters dug a deep hole, they came back and made a run at the Cosmos.
Down 24-16 after the third period, Otter Valley came back to close to 24-21 on a pair of Christian free throws at 3:59. Christian was a terror on the boards, snaring 11 with a couple of blocks and two steals. But he struggled from the floor as his shots caromed off the backboard or rimmed out.
Still, the Otters surged back with hard work.
"We just can't finish," Bellomo said. "I can't fault the effort, these kids work really hard but we needed consistent execution and we need to learn to finish."
The Cosmos virtually won the game from the foul line.
Springfield scored eight of their 10 fourth-period points from the stripe. But even that was a struggle as the Cosmos were 8 of 15.
"Hey, those guys played great defense and they gave us a run for the money," Peck said. "This was kind of an ugly game but the defense made it that way. We've got some guys who can shoot and score, just not tonight."
Boyle led the Cosmos with 13 points and had five steals to his credit as a lynchpin of the furious press.
Joey Massores led the Otters with 13 points and hit a big 3-pointer with 43 seconds left to get it to 31-28, but two turnovers and missed free throws spelled doom for OV. Christian chipped in nine points and Keke Frye came off the bench to contribute seven rebounds.
Springfield improved to 7-7 and hosts Mount St. Joseph Monday, while the 4-10 Otters host the Mill River Minutemen also on Monday.
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