Rams sneak by Panthers 46-43 in defensive struggle

Also beat Grafton for second win of the week

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY – The Shepherd Hill Rams played tough interior defense and got some key baskets from Tyler Martin and Justin Terlizzi down the stretch to squeeze by the Quabbin Panthers 46-43 in Southern Worcester County League action Monday, Jan. 2, at Shepherd Hill.

The Rams opened an 11-10 first quarter lead, led by the strong inside play of sophomore power forward Chris Lindstrom, who tallied five early points.

The two teams then played a tight second quarter with the Panthers taking a 24-21 lead at the half in what had become a tough defensive struggle in which points were hard to come by.

Senior guard Tyler Martin scored six points and the Rams cut into the Panthers lead trailing by only two points, 35-33 in a third quarter that saw nine different lead changes in it.

The Rams took the lead for good with 2:10 left in the game on an enormous rebound basket by senior Justin Terlizzi.  Martin then iced the game moments later with a strong driving layup with 15 seconds left.

“(Tyler) Martin came to life in the second half and decided to take it to the basket and that’s what you have to do against them,” said Rams coach Duane Corriveau. “They (Quabbin) play such a good man-to-man defense so if you lay around the perimeter you are playing east-west all the time instead of going north-south. It was really the Martin show in the second half, ending up with that beautiful layup and of course Terlizzi got that nice rebound.”

Corriveau also praised his young frontcourt players for their tough inside play. “Chris Lindstrom and (Michael) Rapoza were the key to our game on defense with all their blocked shots. They must have nine or 10 blocked shots between them.”

Martin and senior Derek Schulman each had 12 points for the Rams, while Terlizzi was also in double figures with 10 points.

Rams 46 Indians 41
On Friday, Jan. 4, the Rams took care of business in Grafton, squeaking by the Indians 46-41.  Lindstrom led his team in scoring with 13 points, with Justin Terlizzi adding 10 points, helping the Rams improve to 5-2 on the young season.

The Rams have three important SWCL games coming up with tilts against Southbridge Jan. 9, Auburn Jan. 11, and Tantasqua Jan. 14.
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