Foxborough Boys Basketball Upsets Oliver Ames

After winning by 15 in their initial meeting, no one could be blamed for considering Oliver Ames the favorite in their rematch against Foxborough. Yet this time around the Foxborough team from almost four weeks ago was no where to be seen.

“I said before the game bring it tonight and battle and if you bring it you’re gonna put yourself in a great position,” Foxborough head coach CJ Neely said.

Upsetting one of the area’s better teams, the Warriors surprised the Oliver Ames Tigers with a 55-49 win on Senior Night. 

A 10 point opening quarter from Jeff McPherson (12 points) helped the Warriors gain an 11 point lead after the first quarter. Getting open down low, McPherson was able to get a few quick buckets under the basket to help build the lead and finish the quarter with 10 points. Josh Patkin (20 points) contributed with 10 more points of his own. Feeling extremely confident, Patkin also nailed a 35 foot jumper to extend a one point lead to four points midway through the first quarter.  

“I hit a couple before so I was feeling good,” Patkin said about the long three pointer.

Going into the second quarter up 24-13, Nolan Clagg (seven points) helped keep the Warriors ahead with five quick points to start the quarter. The Warriors tried to maintain the lead but the Tigers were able to cut it to six at the intermission. Jeff Babbitt (seven points, 18 rebounds) was clutch with six points in the quarter to help trim the deficit. 

Oliver Ames spent the third quarter wiping away the rest of the Foxborough lead. With Babbitt cleaning up the boards for the Tigers, points were hard to come by for the Warriors while two big three pointers by Andrew Readon (six points) brought the Tigers to within one point by the end of the third quarter.

The Tigers took the lead early in the fourth quarter off a putback from Nick Bruha (13 points). Foxborough’s Alex Pacitti quickly tied up the game at 46-46 and a free throw from Patkin gave the Warriors a one point lead.

With both teams clinging on to one point leads at different points of the fourth quater, the game looked liked at time it was going to come down to the final possessions. The Warriors got a break with 1:35 to go with Bruha fouling out of the game with the Warriors up by one. Clagg made the proceeding free throws to give the Warriors a three point lead.

Forced to foul with 25.3 seconds to go, Pacitti was sent to the line hoping to lock up the game. Hitting the first free throw but missing the second, a big rebound by Randall Parker kept the ball away from Oliver Ames. Desperate attempts to cut the four point lead by the Tigers were not successful as a pair of McPherson free throws with less than two seconds left wrapped up the Warriors’ most impressive win of the season. 

Before the game the Warriors took a moment to honor their four seniors on the team. Jake Soccorso, Randall Parker, Jeff McPherson, and Nick Couroupacis were reconized for their hard work and contributions as members of the team.

“I love my senior class,” Neely said after the game. “They all bring something different. They’ve been good leaders and they’re role models and I’m gonna miss them next year."

The Warriors will travel to North Attleboro on Feb. 17th for their Hockomock League crossover game before coming home on the 20th to host the 2-day Warrior Classic tournament.