[ccfic caption-text format="plaintext"]
By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
For the first time since 1981, the Dover-Sherborn Raiders are state champions in boys basketball. On Saturday, the Raiders capped off an incredible tournament run with a 71-56 victory in the Division III state finals in Worcester over South Sectional champ Bishop Stang, finishing the year at 21-5.
Senior captain Brett Stark led the way for DS, scoring a game-high 22 points and grabbing six rebounds, while fellow senior John Muckstadt grabbed seven rebounds and dished out seven assists.
“It feels so surreal to win the second basketball championship for DS,” said Muckstadt following the win. “We had such a special group of guys who came to practice every day ready to work.”
The DS boys pose together with their state championship banner following Saturday’s 71-56 win over Bishop Stang in the Division III finals.
A special group it was.
Night after night, it seemed like somebody new was stepping up for Dover-Sherborn on the hardwood. Some nights, like on Saturday in Worcester, it was seniors like Stark and Muckstadt who carried the torch. Other nights, it was sophomore Owen Skeary, junior Kirby Ryan, and senior Cameron Raycroft leading the way.
Sophomore point guard Owen Skeary (25) drives the ball to the rim.
Asked about what made things click, Muckstadt says that he and his teammates bought in and played their best basketball at the perfect time.
“We played our best basketball all postseason, and our defense was stellar. I’m so proud of all the guys, and it’s nice to be cemented into the history books at DS.”
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0.
Photos by Michael Stark and Jim Dillon
