Everett’s David DeSouza on the defense in the MIAA Division 1 North Playoff matchup against Attleboro High School. (Photo by Ryan Lanigan/Hockomocksports.com)
Dropped by 18th-seeded Attleboro in MIAA Division 1 North Preliminary Round
By Lorenzo Recupero
In a battle of two high-powered offenses, the Attleboro Bombardiers put together multiple runs and held-off numerous comeback attempts amid a fast-paced victory over the Crimson Tide Monday night.
The loss dropped the Crimson Tide to 10-11 overall on the year as the Bombardiers ran away with a 67-55 wire-to-wire victory.
EHS senior guard Steven Cordero put forth the contests best effort, with a game-high 22 points, including some clutch baskets to keep his team close just before and after halftime, but ultimately a slew of 3-pointers from Attleboro kept the Tide within arm’s length.
The Bombardiers opened the game with a quick 5 point run but the Tide remained aggressive on the boards to pull within four points as the first quarter finished with Attleboro up 17-13.
In the early stage of the second quarter, the Crimson Tide got as close as two points back of the Bombardiers with Cordero hitting back-to-back shots on a 3-point jumper and steal-and-score to close the gap to 20-18 with five minutes left in the first half. Attleboro’s ability to hit the three consistently and create turnovers (the Tide were called for 5 total offensive fouls) led them into the half up 34-27.
By the third quarter, Attleboro, who had four starters in double figures, had strung together a 14-1 run to nearly close the door on a Tide comeback but not before Everett fought back in the fourth quarter, the only frame won by the Tide (outscored Attleboro 18-16).
It was Cordero who again helped make things interest- ing in the final quarter for the scrappy Tide, hitting another 3-pointer before picking an Attleboro scorer’s pocket leading to a layup with 3:17 to go in the game. His last gasp effort brought the score to 58- 52, the closest the Tide would come to a tie or the lead in the waning moments of the game.