Classical boys hoop prevails over Everett in OT

EVERETT – Trailing by as many as 14 points on two different occasions and playing from behind virtually the entire game, the Classical boys hoop squad battled back to offset a tough Everett team on its own home court yesterday, 73-68, in overtime at Everett High.The Rams (8-4) were behind 62-58 with just 1:20 to go in regulation after a pair of free throws by guard Daquan Lee, but guard Nick Grassa (game-high 18 points) drilled a three-pointer just 10 seconds later to bring Classical to within 62-61. Josh Imadiyi then stole a Crimson Tide pass, and fed Grassa for another three, which put the Rams ahead for the first time (64-62) with 55 seconds remaining.Yet Everett deadlocked the game with 24.6 seconds left. Classical had a chance to win the game in regulation, yet missed with a three.Classical took advantage once the extra period began. Grassa connected almost immediately with another three-pointer (his fourth of the contest), and after a stalled Everett possession, Ariel Ligonde (17) scored underneath to open a 69-64 advantage. Both teams traded baskets, before forward Jasper Grassa iced the game with a pair of free throws with 9.6 seconds left.”It’s a solid win over a quality team,” said Rams coach Tom Grassa, whose team will host the Crimson Tide on Feb. 7. “It was just a great effort by everyone, as we got a lot of mileage from so many players. Nick was solid with the threes, and Josh Imadiyi altered a lot of shots.”Everett opened a four-point lead (52-48) with 4:01 remaining, but back-to-back hoops by Ligonde evened the score. Yet Classical was assessed with a technical right after the tying hoop, and Everett’s Kenny Calaj made the free throw. Teammate Matt Costello extended the margin to four (56-52) by hitting a three-pointer. The Rams trailed by as many as five (60-55) with 2:40 remaining before beginning their comeback.Everett (5-3) held a 31-25 halftime edge, but Jasper Grassa hit a three right after the second half started to bring the Rams to within 31-28. The Crimson Tide came up short on their next possession, and Ligonde was fouled on his drive to the hoop. He made the free throw to tie the score at 31. However, the hosts netted the next 11 points to widen the lead to 42-31, as Classical not only missed several shots, but came up empty on the offensive boards. Costello connected on a pair of hoops (a three and the conventional kind) right after the Rams tied the game during that span.Classical was still down by 10 (45-35) late in the quarter, yet baskets by Shaddai Pena and Jasper Grassa brought the Rams to within 45-39 going into the final period.The Rams were victimized by a 10-0 Everett spurt, which encompassed the end of the opening quarter, and the beginning of the second, as the Crimson Tide raced to a 20-6 edge. Everett held a 24-12 lead midway through the second, yet guard Carlo Buono almost singlehandedly brought the Rams back. He connected on a trio of three-pointers to close the gap to 26-21. Nick Grassa added a hoop to bring the Rams to within three (26-23), and after both squads traded baskets, Everett’s Jethro Auguste (16) hit a three at the buzzer for the 31-25 lead at the half.”Carlo really gave us a spark when we needed it, hitting three straight threes (in the second),” said Coach Grassa. “(Forward) Tony Wonde gave us a strong defensive game, like he does day in and day out, and Ariel (Ligonde) had a bunch of steals.”