Brockton bench sparks win
Reserves score 27 in victory over Bridgewater-Raynham
BRIDGEWATER — For long stretches of Tuesday’s game versus Bridgewater-Raynham, Manny DeBarros didn’t have any reservations about keeping his starters on the bench.
It’s a luxury the first-year Brockton coach has with a talented and deep team.
The Boxers showcased their tremendous depth in their 73-61 Southeast Conference road win over the Trojans at Monti Gymnasium as Brockton’s reserves served as a vital spark and provided 27 points off the bench.
“I just wholeheartedly believe in all 12 guys,” DeBarros said. “Our mentality is there shouldn’t be a drop-off from first group to second group. So, whoever we put in there should be ready to play and contribute.”
Brockton (2-0) couldn’t shake free of B-R (2-1) until the second unit dazzled by closing the first half on a 17-3 tear.
Cameron Monteiro, Michael Curry and Shawn Goss spearheaded the run with their energetic play and a floater by Goss gave the Boxers a 35-20 halftime lead.
“We needed it,” DeBarros said of the bench.
“They went in the first time and they didn’t do well and they hung their head and I said, ‘You’ll get a chance again.’ It was everything for us. That second group came in and lifted our spirits.”
Brockton, which had 11 players register points, opened up a 23-point lead late in the third quarter, but turnovers — 27 in all — and empty trips to the freethrow line allowed B-R to climb back.
The Trojans also started the final frame with a 12-0 run punctuated by a trey from Michael Bourne to get within 53-47, and Duane Thompson, who netted a game-high 26 points, spurred B-R’s comeback bid as well.
But Brockton received a couple timely buckets from veteran leaders Vanilton Xavier (team-high 17 points) and Nayvon Reid (11 points, 12 rebounds) to put the Trojans away.