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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Coming off of a 66-58 victory over Northbridge last Wednesday, the Dover-Sherborn Regional High School boys varsity basketball team took to the court on Friday night for its senior night looking to conclude the regular season with two consecutive victories.
Behind a game-high 26 points by junior forward Brett Stark, the Raiders sent their seniors out the right way and ground out a 65-61 victory to improve to 10-10 (7-8 TVL) on the season.
Brett Stark (21) performs a pump fake before driving the lane and converting two of his 26 points. Photos by Michael Flanagan
The Raiders began the game on a 7-0 run thanks to a layup by senior forward Jack Gately right off the opening tip, a two-point jumper by junior guard John Muckstadt (12 points), and a three-pointer by junior guard Cameron Raycroft (11 points). Ashland fought right back and cut the deficit to 7-5. However, DS then went on a 9-2 run, capped by a three-pointer from Raycroft to give the Raiders a 16-7 lead, forcing Ashland to call a timeout.
Following the timeout, DS kept its foot on the gas, as a two-point floater by Muckstadt just before the buzzer allowed the Raiders to take a 21-13 lead into the second quarter.
A three-pointer by Stark midway through the second extended DS’s lead to 26-17, followed by five straight points by Raycroft, as the Raiders pushed their lead to as many as 11 at 31-20.
Ashland called another timeout following a three-point play by Raycroft and the adjustments made by the Clockers resulted in a 10-0 run to climb right back into the game at 31-30. A pair of free throws by senior center Oliver Asaker (six points) pushed the lead back to three for DS, but a layup just before the buzzer by Ashland trimmed the Raider lead back to one at 33-32 at halftime.
The third quarter saw the Clockers keep up the intensity, as Ashland went blow-for-blow with DS and overcame the previous 11-point deficit to grab a 47-44 lead with one quarter to play.
Entering the game’s final frame trailing by three, DS’ strategy in the fourth quarter was simple: get the ball to Brett Stark. The change of scheme worked wonders for DS, as Stark scored 14 of his 26 points in the game’s final eight minutes. The unsung hero of the game, however, was freshman shooting guard Evan Skeary (six points), who sank two clutch three-pointers late in the fourth quarter to twice give DS back the lead at 51-50 and 54-53.
Senior forward Jack Gately (11) and teammates get fired up at the bench following a made three-pointer by Evan Skeary late in the game. Photos by Michael Flanagan
A free throw by Asaker and a layup by Muckstadt extended the DS lead to four points at 57-53 before a layup by Stark with a little over two minutes to play pushed the lead to six at 59-53. Ashland responded with four straight points to cut the deficit to 59-57 but DS would not be denied on senior night, as two layups by Stark and a free throw by Muckstadt in the game’s final minute allowed the Raiders to push their lead back to four at 65-61 and hang on for the thrilling victory.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0, or read his blog at www.flannylive.wordpress.com.
