By Liam Shannon
@liamshannon_14
Sitting proper throughout State Street from one another, the High School of Science and Technology and Putnam Vocational/Technical School acquired to indicate off its rivalry on the nationwide stage throughout Thursday’s Panini Hoophall Classic matchup in Blake Arena at Springfield College. Despite being down following the first quarter, the Cybercats’ offense exploded in the second quarter and by no means regarded again, as they held on to defeat the Beavers 63-43.
Despite going down on the opening day of the 2026 Hoophall Classic at Springfield College, this contest had a number of implications for each Putnam and Sci-Tech. Falling proper in the center of their common seasons, Thursday’s matchup was a daily season contest for each the Cybercats and the Beavers.
Sci-Tech got here in sporting a 5-2 report and using a 3 sport win streak and regarded to maintain it going towards a 2-6 Putnam workforce that has expertise enjoying in Blake Arena. The Beavers attended the Hoophall Classic final yr, enjoying two video games and dropping each of them. The Cybercats had been making their first expertise in the match.
The first quarter showcased the scrappiness of this rivalry, as junior guard Jayden Vellon was referred to as for a technical foul. Putnam additionally displayed its powerful protection, as Victory Henry tallied three blocks in the body. After his workforce’s displaying in the first, Sci-Tech coach Shalka Rivera knew he wanted to make some changes.
“The court is a little bit longer than a high school court,” mentioned Rivera. “So we had to get our legs underneath us, we prepared for this, conditioned for this, so I just told them: ‘Hey guys, the other practice we just ran for two hours straight to prepare you guys for this, we’re fine, we’ll be okay.”
Rivera’s reminders seemingly labored wonders for the Cybercats as they outscored the Beavers 15-3 in the second quarter, coming into halftime up by ten factors.
Now enjoying with the lead, Sci-tech continued to pour it on offensively. Vellon led the cost, ending with a sport excessive 16 factors. He completed with six subject targets together with a pair of threes to associate with two free throws. Vellon additionally aided in his teammates’ assault, as he stuffed the stat sheet with 9 assists and 7 rebounds.
Anthony Sanchez Jr. adopted Vellon’s lead, ending with 15 factors, together with three buckets from past the arc.
Marcus Jones held it down defensively as he racked up seven blocks and a steal.
Quinton McMillan Jr. keyed the Beavers offense, ending with a team-high 15 factors, whereas Victory Henry blocked eight photographs defensively.
The victory marked Sci-Tech’s first win over Putnam in three years, one thing that Vellon was very happy with.
“It feels great, in the past they used to beat us a lot, they always used to call us the little brother from across the street, so we had a chip on our shoulder from the beginning of the game, from the get go.”
Hoophall is a chance for high highschool basketball recruits to indicate off their abilities, however as a Hoophall alumni himself, Rivera knew simply how essential this expertise was for his native squad enjoying on a nationwide stage.
“It’s always a great experience to be in the Hoophall, and it’s just a nice little rivalry game against Putnam, we have bragging rights for at least a year now, we don’t see them again this year, and just for the community itself, it was great basketball for both teams.”
Photo courtesy of Shane Baran/The Student