Mascenic’s tenacious defense and Conant’s chemistry issues combined for an early season surprise Viking victory in New Ipswich Tuesday evening, 41-28.
“That’s all just a tribute to our defensive effort,” said interim head coach Jared Stauffeneker, filling in for head coach Brandon Kear while he awaits COVID clearance, after the game. “Brandon’s been preaching it since day one since he’s been here and it’s been instilled in these guys’ mindsets coming in. Defense, defense, defense, hold teams down under 40, and we did exactly that tonight.”
The Vikings’ top concern defensively was Conant’s bruising senior center and shotput state champ Garrett Somero, who can be an unstoppable force down low. Stauffeneker said he brought in burly Mascenic alum Zack Barthel to mimic Somero in practice, and their techniques appeared to work, as the Oriole big man was held to just four points in the game.
“We worked on that yesterday,” Stauffeneker said, “just doubling the ball down low and forcing him to kick out.”
Conant head coach Eric Saucier said his team had a couple of bad practices leading up to the game, and it showed, as the Orioles couldn’t get on the same page and bickered their way to a deep hole they couldn’t dig out of, leaving Saucier a laundry list of issues to iron out.
“I told the guys: that translates,” Saucier said. “Everything’s a habit. You don’t practice well, you’re not going to play well. That’s where it all starts … The biggest thing is we’re not a very good basketball team right now. We have basketball players. We’ve got to learn how to be a better team. We’ve got to start working together and start listening a little better and communicating.”
The Orioles have a long way to go this winter, but the destination looks promising. Conant must look to seniors Somero, Jacson Cross (seven points), Malique Motuzas and Derrick DeWees for experience and leadership and work towards sophomores Manny Hodgson and Jordan Nagle and freshmen Ben Sawyer and Jared Nagle making a leap.
“I’m not gonna use the excuse that we’re young,” Saucier said. “These guys are varsity players. They’ve got to start acting like it. And if they’re not, then they shouldn’t be on varsity. We’ve got to start acting like varsity players and we’ve got to get better as a team. And we will – that’s my job.”
Conant (1-1) is at Monadnock on Friday.
Mascenic’s seniors Blaine Krook (game-high 10 points) and Jackson Cocozella are the Vikings’ go-to guys this season, with juniors Joe Cocozella, Dylan Barthel, Wyatt Duval, Ryan O’Shea and Adam Stauffeneker continuing to contribute. The Vikings have a little edge to them, and if one or two players elevate their game a little further, they too could be a dangerous team come playoff time.
The Vikings (2-0) have winless Fall Mountain at home Friday at 6:30 p.m. before beginning a tough stretch of St. Thomas, Monadnock, Hopkinton, Stevens and Campbell.
ConVal 65, Plymouth 33
The Cougars continued their hot start to the season with a road win at Plymouth Tuesday night. Senior point guard Austin Knight led all scorers with 19 points and sophomore forward Joe Gutwein had 16.
ConVal (2-0) is at John Stark Thursday and hosts Merrimack Valley Monday.
Derryfield 62, WLC 52
The Warriors were dealt their first loss of the season Tuesday at Derryfield. Sean Brennan scored 22 to lead WLC; Troy Brennan had 13 and Zack Taylor added seven.
Wilton led through each of the first three quarters but poor shooting in the fourth did them in, head coach Wiley Billings said.
WLC (1-1) hosts Portsmouth Christian Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Conant 73, Mascenic 17
Conant dropped their 2020-21 championship banner before Tuesday’s game and then dropped a 56-point L on the Vikings to top off the evening.
Junior point guard Brynn Rautiola led all scorers with 21 points; Emma Tenters had 15; Mylie Aho had 12 and Teagan Kirby scored eight.
Kenzie Cormier and Skye Lambert had five each for Mascenic.
“My girls learned a valuable lesson in preparation and mental toughness,” Mascenic coach Troy Shaw said.
The Orioles (2-0) host Monadnock Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Vikings (1-1) are at Fall Mountain Friday at 6:30 p.m.