The Westport basketball team is in the Division 5 Final Four after clobbering 19th seeded Rockport 59-46 in a home Elite 8 game on Saturday afternoon. The 11th seeded Wildcats with a record of 16-6, will play 2nd seeded Hopedale in the final four at Taunton High School on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

“Every night, people are stepping up and that’s what makes it special,” said Westport head coach Scot Boudria. “We shot really well against the zone. A lot of teams have been playing zone against us, but we found a good rhythm and we moved the ball very well.”

“Rockport was a tough out,” he added, “But Hopedale, our next opponent, is very, very good.”

Rockport starts a brawl after the game

As players shook hands after the game, Rockport’s Patrick Reardon shoved Max Gallant to the ground, starting a wild brawl. Coaches, police and fans converged into the melee as players scuffled in a scrum and threw punches. Westport police and school administrators did a fine job deescalating the situation as it could have been much worse with one of the largest crowds in history on hand to view the game. One Westport player broke his hand during the brawl and it’s unknown if there will be any ramifications with other players for next game. Police escorted Rockport players and their fans from the buidling. 

Westport players were in shock after the fracas, having had their celebration taken away from them.

 “I don’t even know what happened,” said Owen Boudria, “I just heard some kids might get disqualified for next round.”

Cole Boudria scores 23 points to lead Westport in the win

Cole Boudria, after playing poorly  in the Sweet 16, played tremendously as he got Westport off to a great start against the Vikings, sinking three 3-pointers and a pair of free throws for 11 of his game high 23 points in the first quarter.

“I came here a little early with my dad and my brother and I just put up a bunch of shots,” said Cole Boudria. “I knew I just had to I had to step up, cuz Owen didn't play that good in the first half. So it's like someone's got to step up and it just happened to be me. The first one went in and I was like, yeah, it's going to be a good day. The hoop just felt like it was getting bigger and it just felt like I couldn't miss.”

“Last year we didn't even make playoffs. So, to come into making it to the final four would I think we have pretty good odds of making it farther,” he said.

The sophomore guard drained seven threes, scored 23 points and played the point like a general as his older brother, Owen, got into foul trouble early and had to sit most of the first half.

“He had the best game of his life,” said Owen Boudria of his brother. “He his three after three, played good defense, got assists, handled pressure, didn’t turnover the ball, I mean, that was just a great game by him.”

Max Gallant, the Wildcats’ resident dirt-dog defender, had his best game of the year offensively and defensively, scoring a pair of big 3-pointers, a jumper, a pair of fast break layups and two free throws for 13 points. He made a pair of steals and scored 8 points in the fourth quarter.

“Max plays hard on defense,” said Owen Boudria. “He hit some big shots. He may have had his best game of the season. Dane played big. He hit two threes. It was an all around team performance from the guys and I can’t be more thankful for them.”

The Wildcats led 16-10 after the first quarter and put their foot on the gas, scoring 20 more points n the second.

Cole Boudria buried three more 3-pointers. Gallant and Will Quinlan also sank threes. Quinlan also scored from under the basket and made a free throw and Will DeJesus added a put-back jumper as Westport increased their lead to 36-20 at halftime.

 “We had a lot of guys step up,” said senior Alex Krynicki. “We played a good game and kept our foot on the gas the entire time.”

“This is special,” added Krynicki. “We talked about this over the summer, me Owen and the guys, and now it’s finally happening. It’s surreal.”

Westport defense frustrated Rockport

Westport scored just 23 points in the second half. Their pressure defense did the rest. Owen Boudria scored all 7 of his points in the second half. Gallant scored 8, Dane Leary buried his second 3-pointer, Cole Boudria sank his seventh three and Alex Krynicki added a huge layup.

“Our defense was pretty damn good,” said Coach Boudria. “We caused a lot of turnovers. And we boxed out really well today.”

Westport’s pressure defenses and incessant double teaming, frustrated the Vikings into multiple turnovers throughout the game. Krynicki, Leary and Owen Boudria played well under the Wildcats basket, bringing down rebounds, blocking shots and contesting every basket.

“I was trying to box out and get rebounds,” Krynicki said. “We talked about how we had to box them out, because they were bigger than us. I’m just trying to play my role and help us win.”

 “The job’s not done,” Owen Boudria said. “We got to play in the next game. But it’s a blessing cuz, We’ve never been past the Sweet 16 and words can’t describe my emotions right now, for sure.”