The Boys Basketball team came out undefeated against Hamilton-Wenham and Danvers to win the 2024 Bank Gloucester Holiday Tournament.
The Fishermen started the tournament with a close win over Hamilton Wenham 59-54. Both teams gave it their all, lighting it up from the three point line. In the end, Gloucester’s overwhelming scoring ability helped earned them the win. Senior Guard Nick Deleon got the game started for the team.
“He came out strong attacking the defense to open up shots while also hitting some of his own,” teammate Alex Laine said.
Deleon had 25 points on the night helping the Fishermen conquer the Generals. While Deleon’s performance was impressive, the team around him helped keep the momentum going into the break. Some important baskets came from Andrew Cribbs and Brayden Francis helped the Fishermen lead by double digits going into the half.
To start the third quarter, the Generals looked to go on a run and cut the lead down. AB Labell hit two threes in a row right out of the break.
“We knew they could get hot from the three point line,” Laine said. “We wanted to key in on that coming out of the break.”
Laine was a big help on the defensive side of the ball, bringing his immense pressure and planting it onto the opposing team’s ball handlers.
Laine brought immense defensive pressure followed by a momentum shifting three point shot by fellow Guard Carlos Velazquez, and the Fishermen saw themselves back on the offensive.
The Fishermen rode this lead throughout the rest of the game until the final minutes, in which the Generals looked to make one final push. Labell led the comeback, hitting another three point shot in the clutch.
With the score tied, important rebounds by Cribbs and a three point shot in the clutch by Francis gave the Fishermen the win. Francis finished with eight points on the game, while Cribbs finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds, a double-double.
This allowed the Fishermen to move on to the Championship game against Danvers who later defeated Salem Academy 52-40.
The Fishermen played the championship game against Danvers the following day to conclude the tournament. Gloucester was able to top Danvers 67-55, Laine, in his first game back as the starter, started the game off strong dishing some meticulous passes to Deleon for some easy buckets. Deleon started off hot again banging two threes early.
“When he’s hot, he’s hot,” Nash Marshall said. “Give him the ball as soon as possible.”
The team maintained their lead going through the first half of the game, although a few mishaps by Gloucester allowed Danvers to capitalize and score some important points. The Fishermen sped the game up in the last two minutes of the quarter leaving the half with a 15 point lead.
“We just handled business,” Laine said. “We knew they could shoot, so we wanted to limit that, but other than that we just wanted to go play our game, no different from the rest.” Laine said when asked about the success from the first half.
After the break, it was all Gloucester, with Senior forward Charlie Amero leading the way. Gloucester took all the momentum, although some tense moments, the game was never within single digits. Senior Ryan Madruga played great on both sides of the ball to help the Fishermen keep their double digit lead intact throughout the final minutes of the game.
Deleon continued to do his thing, ending with 20 points to mark 45 combined points between both tournament games.
Deleon’s efforts were noticed as he was named the MVP of the tournament, while Cribbs was selected for the All Tournament team. Finally Francis was Awarded the Robert “Doc” Blatchford Sportsmanship award.
The Fishermen look to carry this momentum into their game today against Salem, the game will be played at Salem High School at 7:00 p.m.
