MONROE, CT — So far, so good for the Masuk High boys basketball team which, following Friday night’s 67-52 win over visiting Brookfield, has a 5-1 overall record.
The Brookfield game marked the first official South-West Conference tilt. Among the Panthers’ wins was a close one over SWC rival Bunnell of Stratford in the holiday tourney.
Masuk began the New Year with an 82-57 triumph at Kaynor Tech on Thursday.
Mitch DeBernardo scored 24 points, and had five assists, five rebounds and four steals.
Oliver Irving had 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and six steals. Alex Simoulidis dropped in 17 points. Stephen Sentementes had 10 points and three assists.
Saijon Gavin registered nine points, seven assists, three rebounds and two blocks. Chris Welch scored four points, had three assists, grabbed two rebounds and blocked a shot. Jayden Cassese had four points and three rebounds. Aiden Diaz added two points. Nick Rodrigues contributed three rebounds. Jaylen Africot provided excellent defense.
Against Brookfield, the Panthers built a 40-26 halftime lead and pulled ahead by as many as 19 points, 45-26 in the third. The Bobcats roared back to within eight at 47-39 and were within 10 at 50-40 heading to the fourth.
An early 3-pointer pulled Brookfield to within seven but the visitors got no closer. Back-to-back Gavin hoops, the second set up by a Mitch DeBernardo steal, quickly got the lead back to double digits. The lead grew to 15 thanks to baskets by Sentementes and another Gavin finish, this time set up on a nifty behind-the-back dish by DeBernardo in transition, as well as a hoop down low by DeBernardo.
When all was said and done DeBernardo had 16 points and Simoulidis and Sentementis each scored 15 to lead the offense. DeBernardo and Simoulidis both canned a trio of 3-pointers.
Gavin had nine and Irving eight points. Welch rounded out the scoring with a 3-pointer.
“I think we shared the ball well and we defended well,” Masuk Coach Pete Szklarz said.
The Panthers, despite winning, could have had a better game, their coach thought. Masuk’s next test will be Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Immaculate of Danbury at 7 p.m.
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