Holden, MA — Wachusett’s varsity basketball team earned a hard-fought 50-47 win over North High on January 18, 2025. The game was closely contested throughout, with both teams battling back and forth. The first quarter was neck-and-neck, with Wachusett finishing with a narrow 17-16 lead. In the second quarter, the team built on their momentum, outscoring North 18-8 to extend their lead to 35-24 by halftime. In the third quarter, North High mounted a comeback, scoring 10 points while Wachusett struggled offensively with just 3 points, making the game tight with a 38-34 score. North continued their push in the fourth quarter, but Wachusett held firm, scoring 12 points to North’s 12, securing the victory with a final score of 50-47. Team Stats Breakdown Wachusett’s shooting was effective despite the close margin, with a field goal percentage of 30.4%, compared to North High’s 37.0%. The team’s three-point shooting was a particular highlight, as they made 6 of 21 attempts (28.6%), while North matched that with 6 of 21 (28.6%) from beyond the arc. Free throw shooting proved crucial, with Wachusett converting 16 of 24 attempts (66.7%), whereas North made just 1 of 2 attempts (50%). Wachusett also held the advantage in rebounds, with 19 defensive boards compared to North’s 25. They also grabbed 7 offensive rebounds, helping to create second-chance opportunities. Despite turning the ball over 14 times, Wachusett capitalized on North’s 16 turnovers, scoring 8 points off turnovers. Key Player Performances Hunter Berry was the top scorer for Wachusett, finishing with 15 points on 4-14 shooting and 3-5 from the free-throw line. He also contributed 1 assist and 4 steals. Erik Maziarz added 11 points, including 4-6 from the field, and 2 rebounds in 22 minutes of action. Seann Katubi had a solid game, scoring 14 points and contributing 4 assists and 3 steals. He was clutch from the free-throw line, hitting 8 of 11 attempts. North High’s Devin Hill led his team with 14 points, including 6-13 from the field, while Amaren Minor added 14 points and 5 rebounds in the losing effort. Defensive Play Wachusett’s defense, despite giving up 47 points, was strong in key moments. They forced North High into 16 turnovers, and Hunter Berry led the team with 4 steals. The team’s ability to force turnovers and convert them into points played a significant role in their narrow victory. Conclusion Wachusett managed to hold off a late surge from North High to come away with a 50-47 win. The team’s offensive balance and key contributions from Berry, Maziarz, and Katubi were essential in securing the win. With this victory, Wachusett looks to build on their success, focusing on improving offensive consistency as they head into future games.