Leominster exacts revenge on Wolves

Source: Sentinel and Enterprise
Author: Chris Klingenberg

LEOMINSTER -- Back on Jan. 5, the Nashoba Regional boys basketball team traveled to Leominster High and had its way with the Blue Devils in a convincing 55-40 win.

On Monday night, Leominster clearly hadn't forgetten about that game as the hosts played with an edge all night long, which resulted in a 57-44 victory over the Wolves in a Central Mass. Athletic Directors Association Class A semifinal matchup.

With the win, the Blue Devils ran their record to 17-2 and will now face unbeaten Worcester North in the finals. Nashoba fell to 15-4.

"We had a week to prepare and that was huge," said Leominster High head coach Kevin Grutchfield. "Our guys were really fired up for this one. We kind of knew what they were going to try to do. Our press was good, and we made timely shots, so this was a good team win."

Holding a 36-27 lead heading into the fourth quarter, Leominster wasted little time putting this one out of reach. Jovani Morales nailed a pair of free throws on the first possession of the quarter, and Terrance McCormack drilled a corner 3-pointer the next time down the floor as the hosts opened a 41-27 lead to force a Nashoba timeout.

This game was tight throughout the first half. Leominster held a 16-11 lead after eight minutes and took a 24-19 lead into the locker room.

The Blue Devils were led by McCormack as the senior poured in a game-high 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Osiris Lopez (11 points, 9 rebounds) and Jayden Johnson (10 points) also scored in double figures.

While the usual suspects showed up for the Blue Devils, it was Morales who really stepped up scoring 10 points, including eight in the first half.

"Jovani (Morales) has been doing it all year long for us," Grutchfield said. "He is a kid that has worked hard all summer to improve his game. He has been a real, real surprise and a key to what we have been doing."

Nashoba was led by junior Trevor Payne who scored a team-high 16 points.