Tech routs Worcester in Voke tournament

The Daily ItemLYNN?Though there may have been some nail-biting games during the season, it would appear as if Lynn Tech has it all going as the Tigers await the pairings for this year’s state basketball tournament.If there were any doubts, especially following a pair of tough losses (last week to Greater Lawrence; Monday to Cathedral), the Tigers dispelled them with a dominating 76-47 drubbing of Worcester Vocational last night in the “T” O’Connor Gym in the first round of the State Vocational Basketball Tournament.The Tigers will play at Greater New Bedford today (4) in the tournament final.”Our speed and our momentum were in evidence today,” said Tigers coach Marvin Avery. “We didn’t know much about them, and they didn’t know about us – though they seemed to know a lot about Victor (Smith) because they kept calling out our screens all night.”Worcester Voke couldn’t have known that much, however. Smith led all scorers with 22 points as he led the Tigers in this wire-to-wire victory.”Our defense really clamped down on them, and forced a lot of turnovers,” said Avery. “I don’t know how many turnovers they had, but it was a lot.”And that’s just what the doctor ordered for a team like the Tigers, who are so quick to convert in transition. Especially impressive in this regard was Felix Rios. The speedy little guard scored four transition baskets in the first half, two of them three-pointers, as he helped the Tigers (15-6 heading into today’s final) sprint out to a 21-12 first-quarter lead.Everybody got involved for Tech. Twelve Tigers scored baskets, and Avery emptied his bench during the fourth quarter as the Tech basically ran away and hid.”This will be my seventh state vocation final since the tournament started,” said Avery, “and I’m proud of that.”With a 9-6 lead in the first quarter, Tech went on a 12-6 run to close out the period, and then started with an 8-2 spurt to begin the second quarter to go up 29-14.After the teams traded baskets to make the score 34-20, Tech closed the quarter with another 8-2 spurt, and it was a 19-point lead (41-22) at the break.Tech kept pouring it on in the third, adding five more points to the advantage (59-35) going into the fourth quarter ? and kept the pressure on even with the subs getting most of the action.Avery singled out several players, including sophomore Rios (who finished with 12 points) and sophomore Josh Cheever (7).”Josh has really come along,” Avery said. “He uses his body so well under there. People don’t believe he’s a sophomore.”Felix had a heck of a game today,” Avery said. “He keeps getting better all the time.”Ysander Figureoa was the only player for Worcester who scored in double figures, finishing with 14 points.