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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
On December 12, Westwood came into Medfield and spoiled the Warriors’ home opener with a 74-64 win. On Friday night, the two rivals met again for the second and final time this season in a much-anticipated rematch, this time in Wolverine country.
Behind a career-high 26-point performance by senior guard Michael Marie, the Warriors (8-4, 5-3) served up some ice-cold revenge and grinded their way to a 67-60 victory over senior captain Nick Anderson (13 points, 10 rebounds) and the Wolverines (4-10, 3-6).
Medfield began the game on a 9-3 run, thanks in part to a pair of layups by junior forward Mitchell Gonser (eight points). However, Westwood responded via the slick shooting of Reed Wilson (13 points) as the senior forward nailed back-to-back three-pointers to tie the game at 11 with just under two minutes to play in the opening quarter. Medfield called a timeout following the game-tying bucket by Wilson, and a three-pointer by Marie allowed the Warriors to take a 14-13 lead into the second quarter.
Following the break, Westwood took an 18-14 lead thanks to five straight points by Anderson, part of a 12-3 run which gave Westwood a 25-16 lead and included an NBA-range three-pointer by Anderson. Following the Wolverine run, Medfield responded with a 9-0 run of their own to conclude the half, which included a three-point play by senior guard Jake Dubbs (14 points) and a two-point fade away jumper by junior forward Christian Higgins (six points), tying the game at 25 at the half.
Coming out of halftime, Medfield’s shooters absolutely caught fire and put together a 10-0 run that included a pair of three-pointers by Marie, a three-point play by Dubbs, and a free throw by Gonser. Reed Wilson put an end to the Medfield run with a three-pointer to cut the deficit back to seven at 35-28. Medfield extended its lead back to 10 points at the end of three quarters, however, at 44-34 with baskets by Marie, Higgins, and John Lowell (eight points, 10 rebounds).
The Warriors maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the fourth quarter as Herb Grace’s boys continued to feed the ball to its hot hand in Marie, and the senior repeatedly delivered with a three-pointer, a layup, and a three-point play. Westwood was able to cut the deficit to five points at 62-57 following three straight three-pointers by freshman shooting guard James McGowan (11 points) followed by a steal and lay-in by Anderson with 34 seconds to play. However, the comeback fell just short for the Wolverines, as late free throws by Dubbs, Gonser, and Marie salted away the win for the Warriors, who prevailed by seven points.
Medfield will look to continue its winning ways when the Warriors travel to face TVL newcomer Dedham on February 2, while Westwood will try to get back on track at Millis that same night.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0, or read his blog at www.flannylive.wordpress.com.
