Despite loss to Middleboro, New Bedford boys are on the brink on making the playoffs
NEW BEDFORD — The number 2 has been on the mind of Craig Baptista for a while.
That’s how many games New Bedford High boys basketball won in the 2021-22 season.
“Being 2-18 (last year), no one wants to do that again,” said the junior guard. “We came in during the offseason workouts with everyone in the gym at least three times a week. I think that really shaped it for this year.
“We came in not wanting to do that again. We came in hungry and I think it’s showing a lot.”
Despite Wednesday night’s 68-57 non-league loss to Middleboro, the Whalers are on the brink of making the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Their next win will clinch a postseason berth.
“It feels great,” Baptista said. “Everyone is eager to get to the playoffs.
“It’s been good. I think last year really shaped it.”
New Bedford High boys basketball coach Matt Hill agreed, “The big difference is they have a year of experience plus you add Damarius (Roberts) who wasn’t here last year.”
The Whalers opened this season with a 65-53 win over Middleboro and went on to win five straight games before suffering their first loss to Dartmouth on Jan. 3.
Since then, New Bedford has won four of its last seven games, including two of its last three.
“Overall, it’s a lot of ups and downs,” Hill said of the season. “We’re still trying to figure it out honestly.
“I’m disappointed in the loss, but I know they’ll figure something out.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
New Bedford fell behind by as much as 11 in the first quarter with a slow start on offense, connecting on just one of 12 field goal attempts in the opening eight minutes.
Baptista was key in a 9-2 run by the Whalers to start the second quarter thanks to a pair of free throws and a fastbreak layup. He also knocked down a 3-pointer from the left side to pull New Bedford within 19-16 midway through the quarter.
“I just go out there and lead as a captain,” Baptista said. “I tried to be the spark plug and get the energy going.”
Hill added, “In the second quarter, Craig was a nice spark with a couple of steals, a couple of rebounds and a couple of points.”
New Bedford junior Damarius Roberts had the assist on three straight baskets by the Whalers with a fastbreak layup by junior Javion Lloyd giving New Bedford a 24-23 lead.
The teams entered halftime tied at 26.
Middleboro outscored New Bedford 20-11 in the third quarter to go out front by nine heading into the fourth.
The Whalers pulled within five a couple of times, but Middleboro answered.
“We just played out of sync,” Hill said. “It’s nothing more than that. We came out. We’re pretty good at coming back. Give credit to Middleboro. They stayed the course and they were able to pull it off.”
WHAT IT MEANS: New Bedford falls to 9-5 with the loss. The Whalers visit Bridgewater-Raynham on Friday for a Southeast Conference matchup. Middleboro improved to 12-4.
HILL ON ROBERTS: “He rebounds. He brings assists. And then he can score on top of it. It’s also nice where he gets a couple of steals here and there. He’s playing well.”
STATS: Middleboro shot 53% (25 of 47) from the field and 70% (14 of 20) from the foul line with 14 turnovers. … New Bedford shot 43% (24 of 55) from the floor and 60% (6 of 10) from the free throw line with 15 turnovers. … Anthony Diakite had a team-high 16 points to go along with seven rebounds for New Bedford. … Roberts had 14 points and six rebounds.
MIDDLEBORO 68, NEW BEDFORD 57
Middleboro
Nick Marzelli 8, Jacob Briggs 20, Charlie Botelho 10, Matt Youngquist 16 (2), Darian McGuffie 2, Brady Roche 4, Ryan Marzelli 8 (1).
New Bedford
Javion Lloyd 7, Craig Baptista 11 (1), Tyler Mills 6, Damarius Roberts 14 (2), Anthony Diakite 16, Joseph Goodine 1, Jerren Goodine 2.
Middleboro;15;11;20;22 — 68
New Bedford;4;22;11;20 — 57
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford boys basketball loses to Middleboro
