Evee's Game-Winner Lifts BC High Past Newton North

 By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

MALDEN, Mass. - All evening long the battle was between Ethan Wright and Carl Pierre but, when it mattered most, Travis Evee stole the spotlight.

With BC High trailing 62-60 and under 15 seconds to play, Eagles forward Troy Salmans corralled a rebound off a missed free throw and threw it up ahead to Evee. Evee took the pass, dribbled to his right off a screen by Salmans, and splashed home a three pointer from the right wing to put BC High up one.

Back the other way, Newton North had two chances for a game-winning three, but both hit the front rim as the Eagles came away with a 63-62 win over the Tigers (16-5) in the first round of the Comcast Board 27 Tournament at Malden Catholic High School.
Coming into the game Evee was doubtful to even play the full game due to an illness.

Evee said once BC High coach Bill Loughnane gave him the go ahead, he knew it was his shot to take.

“I was looking to see if coach (Loughnane) was going to want to draw something up,” said Evee. “Once I saw him say go ahead, I knew it was mine shot to take.”

BC High trailed 55-51 midway through the fourth quarter, but two free throws from Matt Thompson and Myles Owens coupled with a basket by Pierre (29 points) gave BC High a two point edge.

Moments later, Evee (19 points) connected on his second three pointer of the contest to hand the Eagles a five point lead, 60-55, with four minutes to go.

Newton North showcased their resiliency, responding with a 7-0 run capped off by an Aaron Cooley baseline floater to go back up two.

For a moment, it seemed as though the Eagles were never going to be able to find a clutch basket.

Two missed jumpers combined with a turnover gave BC High three straight empty possessions.

Wright went to the line with the Tigers up two and less than 20 seconds to play, seemingly about to ice the game.

Stunningly, though, Wright missed both free throws, giving Evee the opportunity to connect on the game winning three-pointer.

“Travis all year has been the one coming through for us all year,” said Loughnane. “Definitely nice for him to come through in that one. This was a state tournament type game and it’s a big one for us.”

For most of the contest the packed house in attendance was treated to a continuous back and forth between the Eagles’ Pierre (29 points) and the Tigers’ Wright (23 points).

Two players destined to play at the next level, both Pierre and Wright showcased what makes their specific repertoire so hard to defend.

The Eagles found success when Pierre was posted up on the block, often allowing him to go one on one before sinking a fall away jumper from the short corner.

Wright for his part was routinely pulling up in the lane, making a jumper from the elbow look like a breeze.

Consecutive baskets by Wright and Cooley (10 points) put Newton North on top 31-27 late in the first half, but Pierre responded with a three from the corner.

Right before the first half buzzer sounded, Cooley grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and put it back in to give the Tigers a 34-30 lead at the break.

BC High will take on Brighton in the championship game tomorrow night at 7pm.