Monomoy Boys Basketball Tests Defending Champion Wareham In Loss

WAREHAM – The Monomoy boys basketball team had the defending Division 4 state champion on the ropes. 

 Although the Sharks got off to a dominant start in their nonleague game Monday night, they couldn’t maintain their pace to stay with Wareham. 

 The host Vikings held on for a 52-41 victory behind 20 second-half points by sophomore Amare Rose, who led all scorers with 27 points. 

“It’s the tale of our season,” Monomoy coach John McCarthy said. “We start well, but then the second half comes along and we miss some shots and lose confidence. The pressure ramps up a little bit, and we might turn the ball over or lose some of our execution. 

“It’s really tough because we’re better than what we’re showing.”

Monomoy (2-11) stretched its lead to 10-2 to open the game after a layup by Jackson Morneau midway through the opening quarter, though Wareham (8-7) chipped away to trim its deficit to 14-9 by the end of the frame. 

Senior Jackson Rocco did everything he could to spark the Sharks’ offense, posting a team-high 13 points and adding four blocks at the defensive end of the floor. 

“I thought he played a pretty good game,” McCarthy said. “I think his shooting percentage was a little off — he was missing a few that he usually makes — but we all were. Our second half shooting couldn’t have been good. Shots just weren’t falling.”

 Morneau finished with eight points, senior Finn Hyora and junior Liam Flood each had seven, and junior Zach Martin chipped in four points that helped spark the Sharks’ fast start in the first quarter. 

 Even when the shots weren’t falling, Monomoy’s intensity and energy didn’t waver. Even though the Sharks contested the Vikings’ shots and were relentless with their pressure in the midcourt and the defensive end, it wasn’t enough to slow down the Vikings, who upended Bourne 86-71 in last year’s Division 4 state final.

“Right now, we’re 2-11 and the guys are working their butts off,” McCarthy said. “I can’t say enough about their continued effort on that end. I’m really proud of them for their continued effort and focus.”

Tempers flared as the game unfolded as physical play and back-and-forth jawing took place all over the floor. Between the third and fourth quarters, McCarthy conferenced with the two officials, and the game had to be briefly delayed late in the fourth quarter after Rose shouted at the Sharks’ bench after making a basket.

“I feel like we really missed out on opportunities,” McCarthy said. “I think the refs missed some calls they could’ve made, but we have to be tougher.”