After more than a month between contests, the Block Island Middle School basketball team hosted the Mariners from Rocky Hill Day School on January 22, in front of a staunch and lively throng of hometown supporters.
Both teams traded early hoops, setting the tone for what would be a 90-minute battle of determination and physical toughness. Throughout the opening minutes, the Hurricanes featured their 1-3-1 half-court defense, which disrupted Rocky Hill’s offense on threeconsecutive trips.
Rocky Hill responded with a nice offensive adjustment and tried to keep the ball in the hands of their high-scoring, left-handed offensive threat. Block Island countered with ball pressure in transition and remained in their trapping zone on dead-ball turnovers and made baskets. Justin Berry’s steady court presence helped to facilitate these assignments, as he calmly directed his squad in its defensiveeffort.
Despite the Hurricanes’ stubborn defensive work, the Mariners staked themselves to a comfortable 12-point lead at the midway point of the first half. Block Island consistently got good scoring opportunities, but had little success at cashing in on their chances.Just as it appeared that all momentum was gone for good, Barrett Evans stepped in front of RH’s hard-driving star, drawing a
