A great team plays all 32 minutes and never quits. Despite trailing early, that’s exactly what the Swampscott boys basketball team (2-2) did Thursday night at Classical High, defeating the Rams (2-2) 47-34.
Senior Max Brodsky was the hero. The sharpshooter connected on six threes, finishing with 24 points to help bring the Big Blue back up to .500.
“He’s very capable of doing that. The kid [Brodsky] works super hard every day in practice,” Swampscott head coach Jason Knowles said. “Really good captain, stays with his teammates, I can’t say enough about him.”
Classical scored just seven points in the second half as the Rams struggled against the Big Blue press, giving up several turnovers leading to fastbreak points.
“This was by far our best defensive effort of the year, it’s not even close,” Knowles said.
After Classical’s Thomas Walsh and Brodsky traded jumpers to open the game, the Rams rattled off two straight threes from junior Almani Medina (12 points) and freshman Marvin Avery Jr. (eight points).
Big Blue freshman Connor Chiarello impressed with a scooping layup after an up-and-under move, but Classical jumped out to a 10-4 lead with 3:33 remaining in the first. The Rams pressed after made shots and put pressure on Big Blue inbounders.
“When we make our shots, we get the press going,” Classical head coach Marvin Avery said.
Avery Jr., who received quite the applause during introductions, used his speed and North-South playstyle to cause trouble. However, opposing guard Chiarello banked in a tough shot with seconds remaining in the quarter, one that ended 19-11 in favor of the Rams.
If Chiarello’s basket was the spark, then came the fire. The Big Blue completed a 10-0 run to start the second with Brodsky leading the way. The lefty had a steal and three baskets in the first two minutes to give his team a 21-19 lead.
Despite trailing for the first time in the game, Avery was calm and collected, burying a three with no hesitation later in the quarter and continuing to push the tempo. Both teams struggled at the rim towards the end of the second, and the halftime score was tied 27-27.
Then came a highlight. After a scoreless first minute of the third, Medina eluded his man with a crossover before finishing a tough and-one at the rim, seeing the ball roll in as the Classical faithful roared.
Each side scored just two points through three and a half minutes. Swampscott’s Gabe Tripp, who Knowles has recognized for his energy, provided just. Off the bench, he drove down the right side before finding senior captain Riad Benagour for the easy finish to give Swampscott a two-point lead.
The Rams were getting caught in the air, forcing shots, and struggling against the Swampscott press. The third quarter ended with the Big Blue ahead 36-29.
“We couldn’t get our rhythm going,” Avery said. “I give credit to them [Swampscott] for making adjustments.”
In the final frame, Brodsky put the Rams’ backs against the wall, pulling up from three on a fastbreak and knocking it down. Moments later, Savaughn Pearson of the Big Blue converted on a tough finish through contact off the glass.
Despite several Big Blue players getting in on the action, it was the hot hand who put it away. Brodsky’s dagger three with less than a minute remaining put Swampscott up 14, and the final score favored the Big Blue 47-34.
“I’m very proud of these guys. They played hard,” Knowles said.
Classical returns to action on Dec. 27 against Lynn Tech at 4:30 p.m., while Swampscott takes on Peabody at 7 p.m. on Jan. 3.
