Headlines
Subscribe to our NewsletterMalden: The 15th ranked Everett Crimson Tide had to like their chances entering the Finn Gym on Tuesday night. Their opponent, Malden High School, had dropped two straight including a blowout loss at home to Medford High School. But rivals tend to rise up when challened, and Malden would not be the exception on this night. Leading throughout the first half and well into the second half and tied with two minutes to go, the Tornadoes put a scare into Everett before falling 70-62.
"I thought our intensity from the opening tip tonight was just outstanding." Head Coach Don 'Gipper' Nally said after the hard fought loss. "We took it to them offensively and our press really slowed them down."
The Tornadoes jumped out early, leading by as much as 16-8 late in the first quarter and settling for a 28-24 lead following junior guard Mark Rogers' 3pt buzzer beater to close out the half. Rogers led the Tornado scoring in the first half with 14 points.
In the second half, Everett fought back behind four 3pt field goals to take the lead entering the third quarter, 47-45. And, when the Crimson Tied took a 62-56 lead with under 3 minutes remaining, it looked as though the Tornadoes had finally wilted. But before Everett could rest on their laurels, senior guard Rakeem 'Skip' Langston and Rogers caught fire, burying a 3pt field goal each to knot the game at 62 with less than 2 minutes to go. Langston and Rogers were brilliant all night, each scoring 23 points. Rogers was particularly deadly from long range, shooting 5 for 5 from beyond the arc. He also added 3 rebounds and 4 assists to his great night.
"I thought we had the two best players on the floor all night." Nally said. "Skip (Langston) was outstanding off the dribble and Marky (Rogers) controlled the game and hit big shot after big shot."
Everett, behind a whopping 25 offensive rebounds on the night, would finally wear down the Tornadoes over the last minute and half of the game but they also left with respect for their crosstown rivals efforts. Malden returns to the floor this Saturday night as the 4-4 Tornadoes take on the Beverly Panthers in Beverly. Game time is set for 7pm.
