SPRINGFIELD ― Putnam Voc. boys basketball has had the higher hand on Sci-Tech in current matchups, successful the final three video games over the previous two years.
The neighboring excessive faculties have at all times had a rivalry. Jayden Vellon for the Cybercats famous that in current years, the Beavers would name them, “the little brother from across the street.”
However, the 2 groups met on an even bigger stage on Thursday night time as a substitute of simply throughout the road. As a part of night time one for the Hoophall Classic, they confronted off at Springfield College in entrance of a packed crowd.
And this time round, Sci-Tech had the higher hand.
After a decent first quarter, the Cybercats ran away with the rating in the second and third quarters, amassing a double-digit lead that Putnam Voc. couldn’t overcome.
In the tip, Sci-Tech defeated the Beavers, 63-43, including to a four-game win streak and their first victory against Putnam since Jan. 17, 2024.
“It feels really good,” Sci-Tech coach Shalka Rivera stated. “We’ve been a little absent in the last couple of years. So we wanted to get back here and play as hard as we did and as well as we did. It means the world to our kids and to the school as well.”
Vellon was awarded the MVP of the sport for the Cybercats with a team-high 16 factors, paired with seven rebounds and 9 assists.
“It feels great, but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my teammates and my coach,” Vellon stated on the dignity.
In whole, 9 totally different gamers contributed to the scoring efforts for Sci-Tech. Along with Vellon, two different gamers surpassed double-digits with Anthony Sanchez Jr.’s 15-point efficiency and Marcus Jones’ 11 factors main the best way.
Sanchez Jr. additionally totaled 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and three steals whereas Jones’ presence in the paint secured seven blocks and 9 rebounds for the seniors’ stat line.
After a two-point distinction in the primary quarter, the Cybercats outscored the Beavers in the next three quarters. With a 15-3 run in the second quarter, together with two nook 3-pointers by Jones and Aj Osorio, Sci-Tech was up 10 factors on the half.
“The court was a little bit longer than a normal high school court, so we had to get our legs underneath us,” Rivera stated. “We prepared for this, conditioned for this… and once they started seeing shots go, they understood, ‘We’re going to be all right here.’”
At the beginning of the third, the depth rose on each side of the courtroom because the Beavers labored to shut the deficit.
Putnam’s Quinton McMillian Jr. and Jayce Johnson had been key in the momentum swing that had the Beavers inside seven factors.
Despite the comeback effort, it wasn’t lengthy till the Cybercats retook management of the sport.
After an help by Isaiah Rodriguez, Vellon drove to the ring and completed it off with a layup. Just a few possessions later and with the group’s vitality feeding into the setting, Vellon lined up for a nook 3-point shot in entrance of Sci-Tech’s bench that erupted the stands.
“It felt great,” Vellon stated of the setting. ” I’ve been dreaming about this since middle school. I’ve always been waiting for this moment. The previous two years, our team wasn’t that good, but we got better, and now we’re here on the biggest stage.”
Thursday was the junior’s third double-digit scoring effort of the season. But, exterior of his offensive efficiency, Rivera additionally praised Vellon’s efforts on protection. “I’m so proud of him defensively,” Rivera stated. ” He brings the ability to pass the ball, shoot the ball, and dribble the ball. He’s got the package.”
Sanchez Jr. completed the quarter off together with his third 3-pointer of the night time, and the Cybercats had been up 17. With a well-established lead, Sci-Tech held onto it all through the fourth quarter to safe its sixth win of the season.
“It’s always a great experience to be in Hoophall… and for the community itself, it was great basketball from both teams,” Rivera stated.
As for Putnam, its efforts to shut the deficit fell brief, they usually drop to 2-7 with Thursday’s loss.
“We can’t look at our record… that’s not a reflection of who we are, we’re a good team, but we just got to learn how to put it together for four quarters,” Putnam coach Jose Chatman stated.
For the Beavers, McMillian Jr. was awarded Most Outstanding Player from the competition together with his team-high 15-point efficiency, together with 4 rebounds and an help.
“(McMillian Jr.) brings a lot of leadership,” Chatman stated. “Passion, pride… but sometimes you got to encourage him and pull it out… But he’s a very good teammate. Always on time for practice. First one in there, last one to leave, getting us going.”
Next up, each groups will take part in the HoopHall Invitational this weekend at their respective house gyms.
Putnam will play St. Anthony’s (NY) on Saturday at 6:45 p.m., and Sci-Tech will face off against Lincoln (RI) on the identical date and time.