Sports

Postseason Primer: Stoughton Takes on Top-Seeded Hopkinton Thursday

The Stoughton High Black Knights (13-8) travel to Hopkinton (17-3) in a quarterfinal round matchup of the MIAA Division 2 South Sectional Tournament.

The boys’ basketball team takes their show on the road again Thursday night, when the Black Knights (13-8) attempt to upset Hopkinton (17-3), the top-seeded team in the MIAA Division 2 South Sectional Tournament, on their home court.

The quarterfinal game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Hopkinton High. Stoughton easily beat eighth-seeded , in the opening round Monday night on the road. Hopkinton had a first-round bye.

Road Warriors

Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hopkinton is 8-2 at home this season. The Black Knights, 10-4 away from SHS, are battle tested on the road and handed Hingham in the state tournament. Stoughton hasn’t played a home game since February 11, having played its last 5 games on the road (4-1).

Success out of the Hockomock

Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Stoughton finished 8-8 in the ultra-competitive Hockomock League, but is 5-0 against everyone else, including notching four double-digit wins against non-league foes. Hopkinton is 17-1 in league play and 0-2 in non-league action, losing twice to Wellesley this season. Wellesley (16-4) is the second seed in the Division 2 South Bracket.

For what it’s worth, in their most recent matchup at Holliston High School, Hopkinton escaped with a 72-71 road victory. Meanwhile, Stoughton beat on the road in the finals of the Holliston Holiday Tournament.

Still, 17-3 is 17-3. Stoughton High head coach John Gallivan said Hopkinton is "a team to be reckoned with."

Style of play?

Stoughton High is most successful when it can operate at full-speed. What the team lacks in height, it makes up in speed and quickness. Some teams this season, non-league opponents in particular, have had trouble keeping up with Stoughton’s pace of play, even if they had the height advantage.

A team like , who had a combination of height and speed, posed matchup problems for the Black Knights, handing them a 68-59 loss.

Keep an eye on Hopkinton’s style Thursday night and how they keep pace with Stoughton’s speed. Gallivan said Hopkinton likes to run, likes to press and likes to be agressive. They are particularly successful in transition.

Gallivan said Hopkinton is more athletic than Hingham.

Who to watch

Senior Kris Joyce and sophomore Aaron Calixte pace the Black Knights offensively, but the team receives significant contributions from a number of other players.

Sophomore Marcus Middleton is dangerous on both ends of the court. Sophomore Joe Bunce-Grenon provides an offensive spark off the bench.

Seniors Kevin Bui (long range shot; baseline play) and Atticus Rentsch (defense) and freshman Joey Wilder (rebounding) round out the core rotation for the Black Knights.

For Hopkinton, Gallivan said 6'7" Jake Doucette is a threat inside, but can also bury the 3-point shot and pose problems on the perimeter. Gallivan said Joyce will most likely defend him to start the game.

Point guard Barrett Hamlin, a junior, runs the offense. His matchup with Calixte will be key.

And, Wesley Erickson, Hopkinton's shooting guard, is a "pest" on defense, a la Middleton for the Black Knights.

Warm up the bus!

After about three-dozen Stoughton High students made the trip to Hingham to support their classmates, Stoughton High is offering a fan bus to transport students to Hopkinton and bring a little taste of home on the road. From the SHS Athletics website:

“Our students and faculty are pumped for this game ... so pumped that we are sending a fan bus out to Hopkinton to support our boys.  The trip will cost students $5.00 for round-trip transportation, all students who have secured seats will need to be outside the Athletic Office by 5:00pm.  All students riding on the bus on the way to the game, must return on the bus back to SHS after the game.”

A look ahead

If Stoughton can pull off the upset tonight and knock off the top seed, they will face the winner of Thursday night’s Duxbury-Oliver Ames game in the semifinals.

Yes, there is a chance we could see round III of Stoughton-O.A.

But, to reiterate what was written on Monday before the Hingham game: All that matters is tonight. Win, and the season continues; lose and you go home.

Thinking of heading to the game?

Click on the link for directions from Stoughton High to Hopkinton High (90 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton).

Check out an updated MIAA Division 2 South Sectional Bracket in the media gallery above.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Stoughton