Palmer @ Belchertown boys’ basketball
McCullough finished with a game-high 26 points for the Orioles. The junior was magnificent in the first half and he wanted the ball down the stretch. Johnson finished with 11 and Bachand had eight. Johsnon and Connor played well off the bench. Eldridge and Courtney did make an impact under the basket.
The statistic that sticks out is the Orioles were 17-of-25 from the charity stripe and Palmer was just 6-of-10. The Panthers missed a few critical 1-and-1′s and turned the ball over way too many times, according to Tyler France. France led the Panthers with 23 points. Bailey had nine and Canning scored eight.
McCullough is saying: “This is a statement game.”
France said: “It’s disappointing to share the league title but we have to move forward.
4th Quarter
End of the game: The Belchertown Orioles have earned a share of the league title tonight with a thrilling 65-59 victory tonight before a capacity crowd. Palmer made a valiant effort down the stretch but just ran out of time.
Palmer dropped to 15-5 overall and 12-3 in the league while the Orioles improved to 14-6 overall and 12-3 in the league.
Both will be eagerly awaiting their seed and match-ups, which will be announced at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
We’ll be back with some stats a little later on. Thanks for joining us here this evenin.
37.2: Bailey scored down low to reduce the lead to 59-52 but the Orioles kept getting offensive rebounds to extend possession and they cleaned up on the defensive end. Johnson hit two free throws. France hit a short jumper but Palmer trails 61-54 here.
3:19: McCullough hit a 3-pointer and made 1-of-2 from the line. Unofficially he has 24 points. The Orioles hold a 59-50 lead here and it’s getting late.
4:12: Time out again. Eldridge went inside to Courtney but France responded with a 3-pointer. Eldridge just tipped in a McCullough miss and Orioles lead 55-50. Both coaches are shouting instructions. This is a terrific game here folks.
5:41: Time out on the floor. Bachand hit a 3-pointer to put the Orioles up 50-41 but Dan Jones has come back and hit two consecutive 3-pointers from the same spot and Palmer has reduced the lead to 50-47. What a tight contest here.
3rd Quarter
End of Quarter: The Orioles lead 47-41 after three quarters. A total of 16 fouls have been called and both teams did very little to impress offensively but both defensive sides continue to work hard. The fourth is set to begin and maybe this game comes down to foul shooting? Just a guess.
1:32: Johnson just hit a 3-pointer to give the Orioles a 46-41 lead. Palmer missed the front end of two 1-and-1′s but fouls may play a factor. The Orioles have been whistled for nine thus far and we are still in the third.
3:45: McCullough and Johnson hit a pair of free throws each and Bailey responded by going off glass. Both teams have vamped up the defense. Time out Belchertown as they hold a slim 39-37 edge.
5:50: The Orioles had the first possession and missed three open looks down low. So what happened. Palmer scored the next six points. France and Canning leading he way. Right now the game is tied at 35-35
Analysis: There isn’t much difference between these two teams and it’s showing on the court here tonight. Before a capacity crowd, McCullough leads all scorers with 17 points for the Orioles. France has 11 for Palmer and Canning is not far behind with eight points. Connor has come off the bench and contributed with eight for Belchertown.
It seems that Belchertown had some problems early as Palmer raced down the court. But the Orioles caused some turnovers in the second and extended their lead to eight points. Eldridge and Courtney have been relatively quiet but the Orioles’ guards are driving. Palmer is also using a fine inside/outside game right now.
The atmosphere is electric and I must say this is the largest crowd i’ve seen in a while. The student section is filled and they are making a lot of noise. Stay tuned for the second half as we are 2:00 minutes away from action.
Both coaches are making adjustments as we watch the BHS cheerleaders perform.
2nd Quarter
Halftime: Ben Droz hit a short jumper as neither team could score down the stretch. We saw a fast paced game with up-and-down the court action. Belchertown holds a 35-29 lead at the half.
2:00: It’s the Ben McCullough show here. The junior has 15 first half points and the Orioles are leading 35-26. The point guard has been very creative thus far.
3:51: The Orioles had a 21-13 lead and could have extended it to 10 but the Panthers raced back on a France 3-pointer while Tim Lynch and Jon Remillard are on the board. Dan Johnson has heated up for the Orioles and France hit another long range shot. No stoppage here. 30-25 Orioles.
Ist Quarter
End of first: We saw Courtney record a huge block on Bailey and then Bailey returned the favor down on the other end. McCullough hit a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws. France scored inside on the other end. Eldridge grabbed a rebound and put it back as the Orioles hold a 17-11 lead after Nate Connor scored at the buzzer.
3:56: Canning just schooled the Orioles defense, going to the hole uncontested as Palmer now leads 9-8. Orioles’ coach Dave Whitehead was displeased and signaled for a timeout.
5:40 left: The game is fast paced. Canning has four points and McCullough four for the Orioles, who lead 8-6 early on in the first quarter.
Starting Line-ups:
Palmer: Tyler France (G), Mike Carter (G), Dan Jones (G), Ben Canning (G) and Jackson Bailey (F)
Btown: Dylan Bachand (G), Ben McCullough (G), Mike Sears (G), Bryan Eldridge (F) and Joe Courtney (C)
The J.V. game went to overtime so their was a slight delay. The crowds are streaming in here at BHS as its senior night. Jon Midler, Mike Sears, Bryan Eldridge, Kody Clark, Stu Lee, Joe Courtney and Mathias Sherwood will be honored before the game but the Orioles voted to use its set line-up for this game tonight.
We are excited to be live-blogging tonight beginning at 6:45 p.m. from Belchertown High School. Our featured game this evening has many implications, including a league title, seeding for the upcoming Western Massachusetts’ Division 2 tournament and of course, bragging rights.
Palmer comes in with at least a share of the Bi County East title. The Panthers are 15-4 and 12-2 in the league and its only two losses came to New Leadership and Sabis. Belchertown is 13-6 overall and 11-3 in the league. Two of the Orioles’ losses were also to Sabis and New Leadership so the only difference in the standings is Palmer’s 62-54 victory over Btown back on December 17th.
It’s safe to say the Orioles are seeking revenge and of course to capture a share of the league championship. Belchertown has played a slightly more challenging non-league schedule. The Panthers have won seven straight and the Orioles are winners of their last four games.
These neighboring towns are also jockeying for seeding in the tournament and a possible home game. Both teams fell in the quarterfinals of the tourney last year and would like to go into this year’s dance on a winning note.
Please check back at 6:45 for starting line -ups for what is sure to be a heated Division 2 battle tonight.
