Trailing 26-4 after the first quarter, and losing a couple of players to injuries early in the game, the Bedford Bucs had their work cut out for them if they were going to compete with the unbeaten Wayland Warriors in boys’ basketball on Tuesday evening.
“When you face a deficit like we had, along with some early adversity, you really get an idea of the makeup of your team,” Bedford coach Ryan Kilian said. “It takes a total commitment on both ends of the court, and great effort and execution to forge a successful comeback.”
Bedford cut the Wayland lead to 14 points at the half and 10 after three quarters, and tied the game late in regulation.
The game lasted two overtimes, with the Bucs scoring 18 points in the second extra frame, completing the massive comeback effort with an 87-80 victory.
Junior Co-Captain Dylan DiGangi stood tall for the Bucs, netting a game-high 28 points to go with 21 rebounds (10 offensive). Classmate and fellow Captain Max Alper was pivotal down the stretch for Bedford, scoring 21 points, to go with 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Alper’s steady play led the team on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
Junior Matt Forman (16 points, 11 rebounds) provided some clutch shooting late in the game and fellow junior Jacori McNeil (eight points), according to Kilian, “played the best on-ball defense of the season for the Bucs” in the win.
Senior co-captain Matt Mulligan (11 points) hit a huge 3-pointer in the second overtime, while juniors Matt Kazangian and Mikey Delia continued to provide timely defense when called upon off the bench. Freshman forward Jamie Baer (two points and two rebounds) also contributed valuable minutes for the Bucs.
Bedford (3-2) will travel to Wayland (2-1) on Friday night at 6:30 pm in a rematch of Tuesday night’s game.
Loading ...
