Landry, Delahunt Keep Hanover Alive with Fourth Quarter Surge

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Foxboro, Mass. – The two stars that helped bring Hanover its first state championship made sure the dream at a second one remained alive.

Trailing by one to No. 4 Foxboro and with just 30 seconds left, Indians’ guard JP Landry drove to the basket only to have his shot deflected. The ball, however, caromed right to senior Matt Delahunt who picked it up and connected on a foul line jumper to give Hanover a one-point lead.

At the other end, Hanover’s Andrew Carroll corralled a rebound while falling out of bounds to seal the No. 5 Indians 58-57 win over Foxboro on Sunday afternoon in the Division 2 South Sectional Quarter Final.

For Hanover, One Title No Longer Feels Like Enough

Photo by Alex Bureau

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

As the clock slowly dropped towards zero, the Hanover crowd descended into a frenzy.

Holding a 49-38 lead in the Division 3 state championship over Palmer, Indians' point guard JP Landry dished a pretty pass to Matt Delahunt, who corralled the swing pass and knocked down a dagger three-pointer.

Soon, the all-too cliché chants from the Indians faithful ensued, while guard Aaron Boise helplessly tried to calm them down until the final buzzer sounded.

As the clock hit zero, the Indians’ bench rushed to embrace the stars that got them there, and their coach Nick Hannigan to celebrate the first boys' basketball state championship in school history.

Yet one look at the roster from that state championship Saturday, and it is to the surprise of no one that the Indians are right back less than a year later with the opportunity to do it all over again.

MIAA Basketball Top 25: Week 6

As deep and talented as any team in the state, Brockton keeps passing every test put in front of it. Still, the Boxers face their toughest week yet, with tests against tops programs from the Catholic Conference, Bay State League and Hockomock.   Photo by Eamon Convey.

 1. Needham (9-0; Last Week - 1) It has been a while since the Rockets have been tested wire-to-wire. That should change Friday with a trip to Newton North.