Wood, Buchanan lead Bolton boys past East Windsor

Feb. 25—EAST WINDSOR — Craig Wood has developed into a dominant force in the paint on both ends of the floor for the Bolton High boys basketball team, blocking and altering shots on the defensive end and finishing at and above the rim offensively.

The 6-foot-6 senior showcased that two-way talent on Wednesday.

Wood produced 10 points, seven rebounds, and four blocked shots to propel the Bulldogs to a 57-44 NCCC East victory over East Windsor.

"Craig, with his length, is a huge influence," Bolton coach Jordan Richard said. "I like to call him the human detour, because he's just so long and athletic. I want us to be defensive-minded, and Craig has done a great job anchoring our defense, especially inside."

Trevor Buchanan contributed 16 points for the Bulldogs (1-4), who host Stafford on Tuesday. Cal Bulley added 13.

Jose Perez scored a game-high 20 points to pace the Panthers (0-4), who visit Coventry on Friday.

Bolton jumped out to a 20-6 lead after one quarter and built a 33-22 advantage at the half.

The Bulldogs extended their lead to 39-22 in the early stages of the third quarter, but East Windsor answered with a 12-3 run to trim its deficit to eight after three.

Perez split a pair of free throws to cut the Panthers deficit to 45-42 with 3:45 remaining. Jack Gallacher went 1-for-2 from the line on the Bulldogs next possession to put the visitors back up four.

Wood blocked a layup attempt on the Panthers subsequent possession and hit two free throws on the other end to put the Bulldogs up 48-42 with 1:52 remaining.

The Bulldogs scored their next six points from the free throw line en route to a 13-point victory.

"We're going to look for positives in the film," East Windsor coach Al Gelsomino said. "We had some positives on the defensive end. Tonight was an example of the intensity we need on defense. We had intensity for periods, but not for the whole game, and then we ran out of gas late. We had our opportunities mid fourth (quarter), but we didn't knock down enough shots."

As a freshman and sophomore, Wood carved out a role as a high-energy defensive specialist off the bench for the Bulldogs, who made back-to-back Division V state tournament appearances.

Wood has worked tirelessly to expand his offensive repertoire in the past two seasons in order to become the primary scoring option the Bulldogs have needed.

"My confidence is definitely higher," Wood said. "I wasn't really confident when I came into the program, but with more game experience I feel more comfortable bringing the ball up and slashing to the hoop and taking more shots."

Wood is hoping to continue his basketball career at the college level, though he has yet to receive any offers.

"If Craig wants to play next year, we'll do everything we can to find a spot for him," Richard said. "That's my goal. We've had conversations about it. I would love for him to play at that level."

BOLTON (57): Jason Dean 2 4-6 8; Jack Gallacher 0 2-4 2; Craig Wood 4 2-4 10; Mason Fox 1 0-0 2; Trevor Buchanan 4 7-13 16; Ryan Orzolek 1 0-0 2; Colby Marsh 1 0-0 2; Cal Bulley 5 1-2 13; Michael McBride 1 0-0 2. Totals: 19 16-29 57.

Three-point goals: Buchana, Bulley (2).

EAST WINDSOR (44): Sharrieff Gantt 0 0-0 0; Ryan Lee 1 2-2 4; Josh Maddox 3 1-3 9; Juelz Torres 0 0-0 0; Nick Parakilas 1 3-4 5; Kavon Westberry 0 0-0 0; Eric Wyse 2 0-0 4; Jose Perez 7 4-13 20; Mike Russotto 1 0-0 2; Kwaku Ageyman 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 10-22 44.

Three-point goals: Maddox (2), Perez (2).

BOLTON 20 13 9 15 — 57

EAST WINDSOR 6 16 12 10 — 44

STAFFORD 69, ROCKVILLE 56. In Vernon, Isaac Minaya had 29 points and 11 rebounds as Stafford won an early-season matchup of NCCC East unbeatens.

The Bulldogs (3-0) led 30-27 at halftime behind Minaya's 15 points and opened it up to 45-36 going to the fourth quarter. Stafford iced it by going 12-for-16 at the foul line over the final 8:00 with Trent Kology going 5-for-6 and Zack Donovan 4-for-4.

Donovan (13), Kology (11), and Mark McLaughlin joined Minaya in double figures. Logan Briggs had just two points but was a force with 11 rebounds, 12 assists, and four steals.

Austin Tracy hit eight 3-pointers for 24 points for the Rams (4-1). Simon Percy chipped in 10

Stafford is at Ellington tonight. Rockville visits East Windsor Monday.

STAFFORD (69): Logan Briggs 1 0-0 2; Evan McKay 2 0-0 4; Isaac Minaya 12 5-8 29; Mark McLaughlin 4 2-4 10; Trent Kology 1 8-10 11; Zack Donovan 3 4-4 13; Totals: 23 19-26 69.

Three-point goals: Kology, Donovan (3).

ROCKVILLE (56): Chauncey Gwynn 2 1-6 5; Juneil Powell 1 0-0 3; Weston Labrecque 2 0-0 5; Chad Moreau 2 0-0 5; Simon Percy 2 6-6 10; Dylan Resendes 1 0-0 2; Matt Ryan 1 0-0 2; Austin Tracy 8 0-0 24; Totals: 19 7-12 56

Three-point goals: Powell, Labrecque, Moreau, Tracy (8).

STAFFORD 19 11 15 24 — 69

ROCKVILLE 16 11 9 20 — 56

SOMERS 83, COVENTRY 48. In Somers, Cody Palazzesi scored 29 points as the host Spartans (2-1) rolled to an NCCC East win.

Somers, which led by 20 at halftime, hosts Ellington Friday.

Steve Sisk had 15 points for Coventry (3-2), which visits East Windsor Friday. AJ Rooks added 10.

COVENTRY (48): Ryan Sandahl 2 0-1 5; AJ Rooks 3 2-2 10; Vin LoRicco 1 0-0 3; Joe Pezzino 0 1-2 1; Ethan Covell 3 2-3 8; Steve Sisk 7 0-0 15; Gavin Covell 1 0-0 2; Tim Nogus 1 0-0 2; Mason Godi 1 0-0 2; Totals: 18 9-11 46

Three-point goals: Parakilas.

SOMERS (83): Brady Palazzesi 5 2-4 14; Loanky Rivera 2 0-0 4; Troy Maia 2 0-3 4; Ryan Prucker 3 0-0 8; Kevin Huss 3 0-0 6; Paul Pennell 0 2-2 2; Colby McCormick 1 0-0 3; Tommy Lafayette 1 0-0 2; Tyler Watt 3 1-2 7; Cody Palazzesi 10 7-8 29; Trent Beggs 1 0-0 2; John Zaposki 1 0-0 2; Totals: 32 12-19 83.

Three-point goals: B. Palazzesi (2), Prucker (2), McCormick, C. Palazzesi (2).

COVENTRY 6 19 9 14 — 48

SOMERS 19 26 21 17 — 83

CHENEY TECH 54, GOODWIN TECH 53. In Manchester, Jared Holbrook's free throw with four seconds left broke a tie and gave Cheney Tech the CTC victory.

The Beavers (5-2) led by nine after one quarter but fell behind by four going to the fourth. The free throw by Holbrook, who finished with 10 points, capped a closing 9-4 run. Omar Rios added nine points while Holbrook also chipped in six rebounds and four assists.

Cheney Tech hosts Prince Tech on Friday.

GOODWIN TECH (53): B. Martinez 0 0-0 0; Santiago 3 0-1 6; Martin 4 0-0 10; I. Martinez 0 0-0 0; Alejandro 6 5-10 17; Cartagena 8 2-6 20; Totals: 21 7-17 53.

Three-point goals: Cartagena (4).

CHENEY TECH (54): Anthony Lazure 3 0-0 7; Elijah Quiles 3 1-2 7; Omar Rios 4 1-2 9; Kelvin Rios 2 0-0 4; Da'mnic Gittens 4 0-0 8; Davonne Walker 3 1-3 7; Xavier McCall 1 0-0 2; Jared Holbrook 4 2-4 10; Totals: 24 5-11 54.

Three-point goals: Lazure.

GOODWIN TECH 11 16 22 4 — 53

CHENEY TECH 20 10 15 9 — 54

CLASSICAL 56, CIVIC LEADERSHIP 32. In Enfield, Nazier Williams (22) and Matt Rivera (16) combined for 38 points in Classical Magnet's CRAL win.

On Senior Night for Civic Leadership's Roy Aponte, Deeshawn Feliciano, and Justin Oquendo, the Eagles (1-5) took a 9-8 first-quarter edge before Classical Magnet responded with a 16-4 run to take a lead it would not relinquish.

Dior Powell had 11 points to pace Civic Leadership, which visits Aerospace Friday.

CLASSICAL MAGNET (56): Matt Rivera 7 0-2 16; Logan Grosse 4 0-0 8; Josiah Henry-Perez 1 0-0 2; Tahj Jones 1 0-0 2; Rick O'Neal 2 2-4 6; Nazier Williams 9 4-5 22; Totals: 24 6-11 56

Three-point goals: Rivera (2).

CIVIC LEADERSHIP (36): Deeshawn Feliciano 0 3-3 3; Roy Aponte 0 0-0 0; Dior Powell 4 1-3 11; Jayden Gist 1 0-2 2; Justin Oquendo 2 1-4 6; Jamyron McCray-Santana 1 3-4 5; Donovan Brown 1 0-0 2; Kyon McCray 1 1-4 3; Totals: 10 9-20 32.

Three-point goals: Powell (2), Oquendo.

CLASSICAL MAGNET 8 16 17 15 — 56

CIVIC LEADERSHIP 9 4 11 8 — 32

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