Headlines
Subscribe to our NewsletterNewcomer Maisonneuve Explodes, Tornadoes Win Opener.
December 16, 2011
Malden, MA: Welcome to Malden High School Terrance Maisonnueve. After spending his first two years of high school at far off New Hampton Prep School in New Hampshire, the junior guard kicked off his Malden varsity basketball career in style, scoring 43 points, including a school record 11 3pt field goals en route to an opening night 68-60 victory over Westfield High School.
"That was as good a shooting display as I've seen in my 8 years of coaching this team, and we've had some very good shooters." Coach Don "Gipper" Nally said after the win. "We really struggled inside the paint with all their size so we really needed all 11 of his 3pt field goals."
The Tornadoes would bury 14 3pt field goals for the game while only sinking 8 shots from inside the arc. Maisonnueve got his team off early, scoring 15 of the team's first 17 points to stake the Tornadoes to a 17-10 lead after one quarter. The Bombers used their extreme height advantage, with a front court featuring 4 players all 6'4" or taller, to claw back into the game in the second quarter before Maisonnueve caught fire again near the end of the half to close with 29 points as the Tornadoes led 37-30 at the half.
In the second half, Westfield jumped out to a 16-4 run to take their first lead of the game at 46-41. The teams would take turns with the lead through much of the 3rd quarter and into the final period. Besides Maisonnueve, the team got a huge lift from two of the team's youngest players; sophomore Bryan Mitchell and freshman Anthony Gilardi. Mitchell, playing significant minutes at both forward spots, had only 2 points but contributed 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Gilardi also only had 2 points but added 5 rebounds and 4 steals playing heavy second half minutes with the Tornadoes' starting front court in significant foul trouble.
The game would not be put out of reach until junior tri-captain Rodney 'Rip' Morton sank his first 3pt field goal in 8 attempts to push the Tornado lead to 65-58 with under 2 minutes to play. Morton would finish with 8 points on an off shooting night for the Tornado star. The story of the night, however, was the stellar debut of Maisonnueve, whose 43pts were just 5 points shy of the school's all-time record for points in a game, held by Billy Hanifan.
"The kid was just red hot tonight." Nally said. "We have a lot of new players this year and it might take a little time for us to gel together early in the season so to have a night like that, it was pretty special and very much needed."
The 1-0 Tornadoes return to action next Friday night when they take on Dracut High School at the Finn Gym. The Tornadoes then have a brief break for the holidays before returning for the team's annual Holiday Tournament starting on Tuesday, December 27th.
"That was as good a shooting display as I've seen in my 8 years of coaching this team, and we've had some very good shooters." Coach Don "Gipper" Nally said after the win. "We really struggled inside the paint with all their size so we really needed all 11 of his 3pt field goals."
The Tornadoes would bury 14 3pt field goals for the game while only sinking 8 shots from inside the arc. Maisonnueve got his team off early, scoring 15 of the team's first 17 points to stake the Tornadoes to a 17-10 lead after one quarter. The Bombers used their extreme height advantage, with a front court featuring 4 players all 6'4" or taller, to claw back into the game in the second quarter before Maisonnueve caught fire again near the end of the half to close with 29 points as the Tornadoes led 37-30 at the half.
In the second half, Westfield jumped out to a 16-4 run to take their first lead of the game at 46-41. The teams would take turns with the lead through much of the 3rd quarter and into the final period. Besides Maisonnueve, the team got a huge lift from two of the team's youngest players; sophomore Bryan Mitchell and freshman Anthony Gilardi. Mitchell, playing significant minutes at both forward spots, had only 2 points but contributed 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Gilardi also only had 2 points but added 5 rebounds and 4 steals playing heavy second half minutes with the Tornadoes' starting front court in significant foul trouble.
The game would not be put out of reach until junior tri-captain Rodney 'Rip' Morton sank his first 3pt field goal in 8 attempts to push the Tornado lead to 65-58 with under 2 minutes to play. Morton would finish with 8 points on an off shooting night for the Tornado star. The story of the night, however, was the stellar debut of Maisonnueve, whose 43pts were just 5 points shy of the school's all-time record for points in a game, held by Billy Hanifan.
"The kid was just red hot tonight." Nally said. "We have a lot of new players this year and it might take a little time for us to gel together early in the season so to have a night like that, it was pretty special and very much needed."
The 1-0 Tornadoes return to action next Friday night when they take on Dracut High School at the Finn Gym. The Tornadoes then have a brief break for the holidays before returning for the team's annual Holiday Tournament starting on Tuesday, December 27th.
