Dedham`s Metrowest Boys Come Up Short in Season Opener …

 The 8th grade boys Metrowest Basketball team began their season this past Sunday with a game against Belmont. Last year, Coach John Maida`s boys went undefeated in regular season play, which moved them up to a much tougher Division 2 bracket this year.

 The game began with the same confidence that carried these boys through last season. The passing was crisp, and the ball movement was sharp. At the end of the first quarter, Dedham established a 14-6 lead. The “starting five” played their game straight through to the half. Davin Sweeney (14pts – 6 rebounds – 1 assist – 1 steal), Dylan Maida (8pts – 3 rebounds – 2 assists – 1 steal), and Liam Dorsey (3pts – 2 rebounds – 2 assists – 2 steals) seemed to leave the Belmont boys behind, each time they went down the court.

 It was the continued hustle of Nick Loring (8pts – 6 rebounds – 2 steals) and heads up play of Corey Kilroy (2pts – 2 rebounds – 1 assist) that helped Dedham secure a 10pt. lead, 25-15 at the half.

 During the 4 minute halftime break, the Belmont Coach calmly took his team out to the hallway. When they returned, they played like a different team. It was almost as though he had figured Dedham out.

 As the third quarter got underway, the Dedham boys found themselves in a dogfight. It became hard to even inbound the ball. Coach Maida subbed and Brandon Ruiz (1 rebound – 1 assist – 1 steal) and David Logan (3pts) tried to give the team a different look at it. Brian Tavares and Kyle Micciche played with great determination. By the end of the third quarter however, the score was tied 31-31.

 The parents on both sides of the ball sat on the edge of their seats during the fourth and final quarter. The score remained tied at 37 apiece, with 52 seconds left in the game. The defense for both teams played tremendous. Belmont took the lead 39-37 with 11 seconds to go. Mark Rella and Ty Rowell provided the support, as Nick Loring made a free-throw to bring Dedham within 1 point, 39-38.

 For the last 10 seconds however, Belmont controlled the ball and sank a basket at the buzzer – winning this season opener 41-38. John Maida and his boys have a lot of basketball in front of them though, with 11 games remaining scattered throughout Eastern Ma. Coach Maida vows to keep the boys focused and working hard.