Eastbayri.com

TIVERTON – After defeating league-leader Rogers by a point the previous game, the Tiverton High School boys’ basketball team didn’t want to suffer a letdown against last-place Pilgrim. Mission accomplished.

The Tigers used a balanced scoring effort and some tenacious defense to hand the visiting Patriots a 59-43 setback Friday night. Ten Tiverton players reached the scoring column and the Tigers held Pilgrim to 26 percent (15 of 57) shooting from the floor.

“Tonight was a dangerous night,” Tiverton coach Gerry Arcouette said. “(Pilgrim) is at the bottom of the standings. It can’t do you any good, it can only do you harm.

“So I tried to make it out to be a little bit more than it was and I tried to stay on them. I know you can get sloppy. We’ve got Barrington coming in here for the final game of the season and I don’t want us to be up-down, up-down.”

Tiverton moved to 9-8 in Division Two-East while Pilgrim dipped to 3-14. The Tigers, who already have clinched a state-tournament berth, host 10-7 Barrington Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m.

“We’re in the playoffs which I’m really pleased with especially the way we got started,” said Arcouette. “We were 1-4, 2-5 but I think the kids stayed together. They’ve been working hard and we’re playing much better now.”

Arcouette would get no argument from the Patriots who were outplayed in every facet of the game. The Patriots had a whopping 29-10 rebounding edge in the opening half and finished with a 47-27 margin. Tiverton’s Geoff McNally had 10 rebounds and 10 points.

“I think we understand our roles. I think Geoff has done yeoman’s work off the boards,” Arcouette said. “Defensively we rebound better.”

The Tigers were up 10-7 early when Kyle Vasconcelos went on a personal six-point run to spark a 13-1 burst which gave Tiverton a 23-8 lead midway through the first half. McNally scored on two offensive rebounds and Jordan Hancock buried a three from the left of the key to complete the binge. Tiverton went to the locker room with a 33-14 advantage.

To view or purchase more photos of this game click on the link below.

http://eastbayri.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=1417523&CategoryID=9236

The Patriots came out and scored the first five points of the second half before Tiverton ended the suspense. The Tigers made 10 of their next 12 field-goal tries while embarking on a 23-7 run which upped the lead to 56-26 with 8:44 left.

Adam Lavoy hit two 3’s in the run, McNally, Alex Rosa and Josh Lis had two buckets each, Jordan Hancock and Tom Murray each had a hoop and Nick Barboza had a free throw as Arcouette started substituting liberally.

“We have been trying to share the ball. I think that’s Alex’s doing,” said Arcouette. “I think we’re pretty good at who shoots the perimeter shots, who slashes to the basket, who does this and who does that. I think we understand our roles and that allows us to be better as a whole than we are as individuals.”

Arcouette removed the starters mostly one at a time. When Rosa was removed with around eight minutes left and didn’t return to the game, it was a rare occurrence.

“I think that’s the first game I’ve taken Alex out for an extended period of time,” said Arcouette. “He’s been there. He knows what it takes and he passes the message onto others. He’s our leader.

“He’s just had a tremendous year for us even though he’s playing out of position. When we need a key basket he steps up and goes and gets it. He knows where to move the ball and he’s just grown into his role.”

Tiverton held the Patriots to 22 percent shooting in the opening half and forced them into 1 of 10 shooting from behind the arc. The Tigers were 13 of 33 (39 percent) the opening 16 minutes and seemed more comfortable on defense.

“I think we’re consistent,” Arcouette said. “I don’t know if offensively we’re consistent but I think defensively we’re better.”

Hancock was the game-high scorer with 11 points, all but two in the second half. Rosa scored nine points and had seven rebounds, Vasconcelos had seven points and six boards and Lis and Lavoy each scored six points. Murray had five rebounds in limited playing time.