Northmen fall to Coventry in final
COVENTRY — Close games have become synonymous with Coventry basketball this season. On Wednesday, the Oakers added to their growing list of single-digit outcomes, defeating North Smithfield, 69-60 in the finals of the Coventry Credit Union Holiday Classic before getting set to return to league play.
BJ Begones led the way for the home team, his 23-point performance earning him the MVP award for the tournament. Konor O’Brien added 12 of his own to secure an All-Tournament recognition, while JJ Broady had 13 points in the winning effort.
“We were a little flat early today, but at the start of the second half, we came out strong,” head coach Jim Moretti said. After taking care of business against Exeter/ West Greenwich in their first game of the tournament, Coventry found themselves locked in a tight battle with the Northmen, leading Wednesday’s contest just 37-35 at the half.
A 13-0 run to open the third quarter proved to hold up in the end after the visitors made a late run that wound up falling a little short.
With an 0-2 record in league play following losses to Wheeler and Chariho by a combined five points, the Oakers will look to get back on track this afternoon when they host Burrillville at 3 p.m., a game Moretti knows will be a challenge.
“Tomorrow’s going to be a real tough game. Burrillville’s a good team, so hopefully we’ll be ready for them,” he said.
For the Northmen, simply being able to play games on a consistent basis this week was a welcoming change of pace.
“We went two straight weeks without practicing and no games with all of the COVID stuff. It’s just good to be getting back at it and getting games in while we get ready for league play,” head coach Brandon DiPaola, a Coventry High graduate said after his team came up short against the Oakers.
“Not the outcome we wanted, but happy to be in it,” he said of the tournament all together.
They earned their matchup with Coventry by posting a 60-56 victory over Central Falls on Tuesday before sticking with their
opponents through the first 16 minutes of play a day later.
“They had a strong start and we went a little cold, two things that usually don’t match up in a basketball game. That was kind of the difference-maker there,” DiPaola said of the second half surge by Coventry that allowed them to pull away.
Carter Deslauriers led the way with 18 points, while Adam Dubois had 10 and Tyson Green, 9.
“I’m proud of the way the guys fought. It’s just good to be playing basketball again,” DiPaola said.