Winthrop, MA: There must be something about the season opener's that bring out the best in Malden's sharpshooters.  One year after watching teammate Terrence Maisonneuve score 43 points in Malden's season opener for the second highest scoring output in school history, sophomore forward Anthony Gilardi topped his teammate with 44 points as the Tornadoes rolled to a lopsided 98-45 victory at Winthrop.  Gilardi scored a school record 31 points in the first half and finished with 43 points after three quarters.  With the game out of reach, Malden Head Coach Don Nally pulled his sophomore star after just 2 minutes in the 4th quarter, just four points shy of the school record.

"The kid played a hell of a game for us out there and, if the circumstances were different, and it was a closer game, sure, I would have let him have a shot at the record." Nally noted after the game.  "Unfortunately, we've been on the other end of this type of game on occasion so I didn't feel right about leaving Anthony in the game.  That said, he had a tremendous game, at both ends of the floor."

Malden led just 12-9 midway through the first quarter when Gilardi began his assault on the school record books.  Gilardi nailed three straight 3pt field goals to close the quarter and give his team a commanding 21-9 lead after one quarter.  The onslaught continued for Gilardi in the second quarter as he knocked down three more from long range to finish the first half a scintillating 6 out of 7 from 3pt range and 31 points.  For the game, the sophomore forward finished 15-22 from the field, 6-9 from the free throw line, eight 3pt field goals and, oh yeah, added in a team leading 11 rebounds and 3 steals.

Leading 48-30 at the half, the Tornadoes put the game completely out of reach in the 3rd period by outscoring Winthrop 37-9 in the quarter.  Gilardi scored 13 more points and added two more 3 point field goals.  He got help in the quarter from senior co-captain Rodney Morton.  Morton, a GBL all-star last season, went 3 for 3 from 3pt range in the quarter and added in 3 assists.  Morton would finish the game with 17 points on 7-13 shooting and sit the entire 4th quarter himself.  

"I told the team that I was really impressed the way they got after it in the 3rd quarter." Nally added. "They didn't get full of themselves with their halftime lead or complacent.  Instead, they stayed aggressive and got after it and pulled away."

Defensively the Tornadoes swarmed Winthrop, causing 24 turnovers including 14 steals.  Malden also held the Vikings to just 2-20 from beyond the 3pt stripe.  Point guards Wily Metellus and Ray Sainristril combined for 7 assists and 5 steals, constantly pressuring the Winthrop backcourt.  Newcomer Levung Francois also had a nice night for the Tornadoes.  The junior forward, playing his first varsity basketball game, contributed with a team-high 5 assists to go along with 4 rebounds and 2 steals in the victory.  Rounding out the Tornado attack, junior forward Bryan Mitchell chipped in with 6 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal.

The Tornadoes now have 11 days off before they return to action next Saturday at Westfield High School.  Game time will be 3pm.