Owen Boudria scored 18 points as Westport fell to East Bridgewater 57-52 in a hard fought battle at the high school on Wednesday evening. The loss dropped the Wildcats’ overall record to 2-2. Owen Boudria tied the score twice in the fourth quarter. The lengthy athletic sophomore drove in hard for a layup to tie the score 47-47 with 3 minutes to play and drained a huge three-pointer to even it again 52-52 with 54 seconds left. But East Bridgewater guard Ethan Pohl answered with a three pointer of his own, to put the Vikings back on top 55-52. Hunter Brodeur who scored ten points during the game, got a good look at a three by the left corner in front of the Westport fans but the ball glanced off the rim. Head coach Scot Boudria directed the team to foul the Vikings down the stretch, but East Bridgewater sank their free throws to put the game out of reach. 

Wildcats co-captain Ben Boudria was tough on the team after the game, “Our rotations were a little slow. In the fourth quarter, they kept feeding the middle and got easy buckets,” he said. “We got to be better in practice and know our roles better. Guys weren’t cutting. We weren’t hitting our shots. If one guy messes up our play go to shreds. It was happening on both sides.” 

Cam Leary a co-captain agreed. “We just got to keep working in practice. We have to keep executing and working hard in practice and it will translate to the games.” 

“It’s not exactly how we thought the season would start,” said co-captain Hunter Brodeur. “But we are showing signs that we can win games.”

The physical play resembled a football game at times and the lead changed several times. Ben Boudria was knocked flat several times during the game. One time he stood tall and took a solid hit for a Vikings offensive foul in the second half. Another time he went to make a steal and caught an elbow in the nose that sent him sprawling to the ground in pain. The tough nails senior got up gingerly, brushed himself off and stayed on the floor. 

In a defensive first quarter, Max Morotti and Coltrane McGonigle each drained three pointers and Owen Boudria scored four points as Westport took a 10-8 lead. 

Pohl got hot and drained three three-pointers for the Vikings in the second quarter. He scored 11 of his team high 19 points as East Bridgewater outscored Westport 19-14 and took a 27-24 halftime lead. Owen Friedrichson drilled a three, Cam Leary scored four points, Owen Boudria scored three and Morotti and Brodeur each added a bucket. 

Brodeur scored six of his ten points in the third quarter, driving hard to the basket against the sizable Vikings. Friedrichson drained a second three pointer, Owen Boudria hit a pair of jumpers and Ben Boudria who took an offensive foul, added a lay up. 

Westport held a slim 39-37 lead to start the fourth quarter. But East Bridgewater came out shooting and quickly took back the lead. Owen Boudria scored seven points in the fourth quarter and tied the game twice. 

But the Wildcats couldn’t get over the hump. 

This time.

Leary thinks that the difficult non-league schedule will bold well when Westport begins league play in another week.

“These games are going to prepare us for the states pretty well,” he said. “We’ve not played a Division 5 team yet. We are playing Division 3 and 4 teams which will prepare us for the state tournament. And that’s the ultimate goal.”

“This game was a learning experience,” added Ben Boudria. “We have to keep moving and keep our heads up.”

Up next: The Wildcats travel to Fairhaven on on Wednesday, 1/4 at 6:30 p.m. and host Blue Hills Friday 1/6 at 6:30 p.m.

Westport scoring:  Owen Boudria scored 18 points, Hunter Brodeur scored 10, Max Morotti netted 7, Owen Friedrichson scored 6, Cam Leary and Ben Boudria each scored 4 and Coltrane McGonigle added 3. 

Westport girls remain undefeated, beat Somerset Berkley 48-38 and crush Great New Bedford 50-15

The Westport girls basketball team knocked off Somerset Berkley 48-38 in the afternoon game at the high school on Wednesday and crushed Greater New Bedford 50-15 in an away game on Thursday. The pair of wins improved the Wildcats undefeated record to 5-0. “I am very proud of the team,” said Wildcats head coach Jen Gargiulo. “The girls have worked hard preparing for our opponents. The team plays for each other and their hard work and dedication is paying off on the court.” 

Junior forward Sarah Perry led the team with 17 points against Somerset Berkley. Perry was money under the hoop, rebounded well and had several big put-backs with the game in the balance. “Sarah played her best game yet,” said Coach Gargiulo. “We went out with the intent to set the tone with our defense. The girls played with intensity and made it difficult for teams to find open looks.” 

Westport has played terrific team defense during the five game stretch. Guards Leah Sylvain and Korynne Holden combined for 16 steals in the two games and combined for 49 points. Julia George made five steals against Greater New Bedford and scored ten points. 

“The girls have worked hard and played as a team,” said Coach Gargiulo. “They responded to changes we put in mid-game and played smart offensively and defensively.” 

Wildcats tall, ferocious center Meghan Molloy has benefitted from her playing time this season. Molloy, an excellent rebounder and passer, broke out for 12 points against Greater New Bedford and led the Wildcats with 11 rebounds. “Meghan was a force on the glass and controlled the post,” Coach Gargiulo said of her play against Greater New Bedford. The Wildcats have hit the ground running and are getting stronger as the season progresses. With players beginning to reach their potential the season is beginning to look bright for Westport girls. “This is a special group that gives one-hundred percent every minute they are on the court,” said Coach Gargiulo.

Next up: The Wildcats host Fairhaven on Wednesday, 1/4, at 6:30 p.m.

Scoring vs Somerset Berkley: Sarah Perry scored 17 points, Leah Sylvain netted 13 points, Korynne Holden scored 10, and Julia George and Meghan Molloy each scored 4. 

Scoring vs Greater New Bedford: Leah Sylvain scored 16 points, Meghan Molloy netted 12 points, Korynne Holden scored 10, Sarah Perry scored 5, Julia George scored 6 and Shelby Orr added a free throw.