Holden, MA — A furious second-half comeback by Wachusett Regional fell just short on Wednesday night as the Mountaineers dropped a heartbreaker to North High School, 56-55. After trailing by as many as 20 points in the first half, Wachusett clawed its way back into the game with a strong defensive effort but couldn't complete the comeback in the final moments. A Tale of Two Halves The first half was a struggle for Wachusett, as they managed just 4 points in the opening quarter and 14 in the second, digging themselves an 18-point halftime hole. North capitalized on early offensive opportunities, shooting 55.6% from the field and moving the ball well to create high-percentage shots. After halftime, the Mountaineers showed resilience, outscoring North 37-18 in the second half, including a 20-point fourth quarter that nearly stole the win. However, North’s early cushion proved to be just enough to hold on. Offensive Struggles & Defensive Adjustments Shooting woes plagued Wachusett throughout the night, as they finished just 37.9% from the field and 27.3% from three (6-22). North, in contrast, was much more efficient, shooting 55.6% overall and 44.4% from beyond the arc (4-9). Defensively, Wachusett stepped up in the second half, forcing 17 steals and recording 8 blocks to shift momentum. Their pressure defense led to 27 points off turnovers, a key factor in their rally. Notable Performances Hunter Berry (#3) led the Mountaineers with 17 points on 8-for-15 shooting, adding 4 assists and 7 steals in a strong two-way effort. Seann Katubi (#15) added 16 points, knocking down 3-of-3 free throws while also contributing 5 rebounds and 3 assists. William Njoroge (#2) scored 12 points and added 2 steals but struggled from deep, shooting 2-for-9 from three. Erik Maziarz (#4) finished with 7 points, 2 steals, and 2 rebounds, but was held to 3-of-10 shooting. Key Team Stats Points in the Paint: North dominated the interior with 36 points in the paint, compared to Wachusett’s 30. Rebounding Battle: North held a major advantage on the glass, grabbing 25 defensive rebounds to Wachusett’s 14. Turnovers: Wachusett forced North into 23 turnovers, but their own 14 turnovers limited their ability to fully capitalize.