Doubleheader drama: Durfee hoop programs end with a split in Division 1 preliminary action
FALL RIVER — Smiles and tears told the story for the Durfee boys and girls basketball teams on Tuesday.
The 28th seeded Hilltopper girls dominated from start in a 54-24 victory against 37th seed Revere while the boys dropped a dramatic thriller in the final seconds in the night cap to 41st seed Beverly, 70-67, during a rare doubleheader, playoff scenario at B.M.C. Durfee High School.
With the win, the girls moves on to the Round of 32 against fifth-seed Wellesley on Thursday.
The fullcourt pressure of Durfee's defense shined brightly in the opener as the Patriots did not have an answer all game.
"I think it was all about grinding it out and playing good defense," said Julia Hargraves, who led the Hilltoppers in scoring with 13 points. "Everyone was locked in today. This is tournament time and the energy was great. It showed on the court. We dominated."
Senior Maggie O'Connell got Durfee (12-9) off to a fast start, scoring 11 of her 12 points in the first half as the Hilltoppers jumped out to a 24-7 lead at halftime.
"Defensively, we know our fullcourt press is our speciality," O'Connell said. "We really like to get those steals early in the game. Offensively, just moving the ball around for the shots and taking our time in the beginning."
Another player who provide a big lift for Durfee was Alexandria LaPointe, who came off the bench and contributed 12 points in the win. Skylah Coward also contributed six points off the bench. Maddie Hargraves finished with eight points.
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"My mindset tonight was keep on going back up," Lapointe said. "There was so many games this season I went up and it did not go in. But it went in tonight."
For the 24th seed Durfee boys, it wasn't the ending they had hope for. The Southeast Conference champions had everyone on the edge on their seats after erasing a 20-point deficit in midway through the third quarter. The Hilltoppers closed the gap to two at 62-60 but that was a close as they got the rest of the way.
Sophomore Jacob Klass made seven big free throws down the stretch and finished with a triple-double (game-high 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) to help the Panthers (11-10) hold off Durfee's rally late. Sophomore Noe Diaz also scored 22 for Beverly (11-10).
"It was definitely too little, too late," said Hilltopper head coach Joe DaCruz, whose team end their season at 13-8. "The sense of urgency I felt it wasn't there probably two-and-a half quarters. Regardless of what their seeding is they are a hell of a team and they shoot the ball well. But I'm proud of the effort by the boys and their season."
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Panthers head coach Matt Karakoudas was dripping with sweat at game's end but was happy his guys pulled out the win.
"We wanted it more I think," Karakoudas said. "We played very hard and got out to a fast start. Durfee is a really good team and I knew they were going to make runs in their own gym. They're not a bunch of quitters. You saw how hard they play and saw all tears after game. That shows you how much it means to that team."
Jahmier Stephenson had a team-high 24 points. Jeyden Espinal chipped in with 11 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. Avonte Lamore finished in double figures with 10 points.
Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @Chezsports.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Playoff doubleheader results in split for Durfee hoop teams
