"I tell our guys all the time that there really aren't any easy victories in our league." Coach Don 'Gipper' Nally said in the post game locker room. "We all know what each team runs and it really comes down to a battle of wills and heart."

 

Malden's heart and soul so far this season has been junior forward Anthony Gilardi.  The 3rd leading scorer in Eastern Mass has saved his best work over the team's three GBL games.  During this stretch, Gilardi has averaged 26 PPG and 15 RPG to lead his squad.  Gilardi saved his best work for the Mustangs, scoring a game-high 30 points to go along with 17 rebounds.  It was a Gilardi 3pt play on a drive to the basket late in the game that pushed the Tornado lead to 6 with just over a minute to play to help push the Mustangs to the brink.

 

"Anthony's play this year has been outstanding." Nally said of his junior captain. "He has been scoring for us all year but his rebounding as of late has really helped solidify our team inside."

 

Gilardi received strong work from his teammates, particularly senior tri-captain Bryan Mitchell-Rodriguez who scored 15 points to go along with 11 rebounds.  Off the bench, junior forward Fabian Price-Hernandez gave the team a spark with 4 rebounds and added two huge free throws in the closing seconds to help seal the win for Malden.

 

The Tornadoes have a busy week ahead as they travel to Belmont on Tuesday night, play host to Cambridge in a rematch of their earlier 1 pt defeat and finally, cap off the week by playing Lynn Classical at the TD Banknorth Garden on Saturday at 1:30 pm as part of a day long high school basketball showcase.

 

"We have a huge week ahead of us and I told the team that we have to stay focused." Nally said. "I realize how excited they all are to play at the Garden but we need to take care of business before we even get there. It should be a great week."