By Ken Chaisson
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The Walpole Timberwolves boys basketball team kicked off their 2024-25 season Friday night at home but fell to the Braintree Wamps, 64-50, in a game defined by contrasting halves.
Head coach Jenna Galster, now in her fourth season, leads a senior-heavy roster featuring 10 12th graders among 14 players. After a 7-13 campaign last year that saw the Timberwolves miss the Division 2 playoffs, Walpole aims to bounce back and return to the postseason, as they did in Galster’s first two seasons.
The Timberwolves boast a strong returning core, led by senior captains Luke Gaba and Peter LaRusso, as well as junior standout Ryan McDonald. Seniors Chukwuma Odenbigdo and James Patey round out the starting lineup for a squad with high hopes. The team’s 2024-25 schedule includes the usual Bay State Conference matchups, along with non-league games against Norwood, Bishop Feehan, and the Dudley Davenport Classic in February.
Facing off against a formidable Braintree team, the Timberwolves started strong. McDonald ignited Walpole’s offense with back-to-back three-pointers early in the first quarter, sparking an 8-2 lead. McDonald poured in 20 of his game-high 23 points in the first half, as the Timberwolves carried a 15-7 lead into the second quarter. Fueled by a raucous, black-clad student section, Walpole maintained momentum through the second quarter, weathering Braintree’s adjustments and heading into halftime up 36-28.
Braintree, coached by the legendary Bob Crook—who has amassed over 400 career victories—proved why they remain a perennial contender. Crook’s halftime adjustments, including a disruptive zone press with a smaller lineup, began to frustrate the Timberwolves. The Wamps chipped away at Walpole’s lead, eventually taking a 41-40 advantage late in the third quarter. Still, Patey’s buzzer-beating three-pointer gave Walpole a 47-45 edge heading into the fourth quarter.
The final quarter, however, spelled disaster for the Timberwolves. When Gaba fouled out with three minutes remaining, Walpole struggled to find its footing. Turnovers and miscommunications in the backcourt allowed Braintree to take control, outscoring Walpole 19-3 in the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves managed just two points after the outcome was all but decided, as the Wamps pulled away for a convincing 64-50 victory.
McDonald’s 23 points led the Timberwolves, while Shane Harrington added seven and Patey chipped in five. Max St. Cyr provided crucial rebounding at both ends of the floor.
The Timberwolves now look to regroup as they travel to Norwood on Monday, December 23.
