Stoughton High Boys’ Basketball Avoids Upset Against Foxboro

The kept in check through three quarters, leading 47-46 heading into the final frame. Stoughton, however, upped their defensive effort, pulling away with a 62-55 win Tuesday night on the road.

The Black Knights improve to a league best 12-1 while the Warriors fall to 4-10. Stoughton avoids the upset, picking up their sixth straight win instead.  

“They made some plays [and] we didn’t make some plays,” said Foxboro head coach C.J. Neely. “We didn’t get the scoring opportunities we did earlier in the game. They did a better job of getting out on our shooters. I’m real proud of the way our guys competed though. They really showed a lot of resiliency.”

The Black Knights were sparked by the play of senior Raymond Bowdre. With starting classmate Antonio Ferreira out sick, Bowdre stepped in to pick up 13 points and 11 rebounds.

“When you have a deep bench and you have a guy get sick and your sub can come in and get a double-double, that’s huge,” said Stoughton head coach John Gallivan.”

Bowdre said he felt the need to step up and did just that. He was able to shoot 75 percent from the field for the game and grabbed two important offensive rebounds in the second half.

“If [Aaron Calixte and Marcus Middleton] aren’t hitting we have to automatically know we have to come stronger so we can close out games like we did today,” Bowdre said.

The Black Knights were able to overcome an impressive shooting performance from Foxboro’s Josh Patkin, who hit 7 three pointers and finished with 22 points.

“He’s always been part of the game plan,” Neely added. “He’s been really working hard. Josh is the type of kid that’s been giving a lot of good effort at practice. He’s competing more defensively and rebounding-wise. Now that the shots are going we start to see the real complete Josh Patkin.”

After Stoughton led entering the third quarter (30-27), Patkin hit two of his three pointers back-to-back. Senior Jeff McPhereson knocked down a shot to regain the lead for Foxboro at 35-34. After Jake Soccorso extended the lead to 4, Bowdre responded with 4 straight points.

In the fourth quarter, Stoughton started with a quick 10-2 run. Calixte found sophomore Joe Wilder for the go-ahead bucket. Senior Steffan Jackson then hit a layup while being fouled. Despite missing the free throw, junior Mauro Oliveira came up with the board and put back to go up 57-49. Calixte then finished the run with a deep three to go ahead for good.

“I think he got a little more space,” Gallivan said of Calixte. “Maybe it was fatigue or maybe we did a better job. I don’t think he was never in a comfort zone tonight, I don’t think anyone was.”

Gallivan credited his team’s fourth quarter defense as a key turning point in the game.

Calixte finished with a team-high 18 points, while Middleton had 7 points. Oliveira ended with 8 points and 8 rebounds for Stoughton.

Nolan Cragg added 9 points for Foxboro.

Foxboro will now host on Friday, looking to carry over the positives from this game.

Meanwhile, Stoughton will host a streaking (10-3) that has won 10 straight games, including a win over , on Tuesday.