Mansfield boys' basketball beats Belmont in Roundball Classic

At times in the first half the Mansfield boys' basketball team played defense like last year's sectional champions.

The Hornets went on a 28-4 run to finish off the first half and then held on easily in the final two quarters to win the Roundball Classic 67-49 over visiting Belmont Wednesday night.

Mansfield took a 19-17 lead after the first quarter on a buzzer-beating three by sophomore Michael Hershman. The second quarter was dominated by the Hornets, as they outscored the Maruaders 23-4. Hershman, who finished with 17 points, had 13 by the end of the first half.

Coach Mike Vaughan was impressed by the intensity his team showed on the defenseive end in the second quarter.

"I thought we did a real good job of keeping the ball in front of us," he said. "We looked like the team of old there for a little while the way we were defending so I was happy about that."

Belmont coach Adam Pritchard gave some credit to Mansfield's defense but also noted his team's lack of ball movement.

"We weren't passing the ball," said Pritchard. "We had a bunch of guys trying to go one-on-one. I give them credit, but I also know that when we pass the ball, we get great results."

The Marauders came out strong in the third quarter and were able to get the ball into senior forward John Dillon, who scored 12 of his game-high 24 in the third quarter alone.

Despite the struggles early in the second half, the Hornets settled down and never allowed Belmont to get closer than 14.

"When he decides to go down to the low block, he's a tough customer," said Pritchard about his captain.

Mansfield showed balance on the offensive end as three players reached double digits. Hershman had 17 points, freshman Brendan Hill had 10 points (eight in the second half), and senior capatain Terence O'Mara had 13 (nine in the second quarter). Sophomore Ryan DeAndrade added nine points, all of them coming in the first quarter.

Vaughan believes his young team is a threat in the upcoming tournament.

"I think we can play with anyone," he said. "It's just a matter of what team shows up, what mindset shows up. I think if we put it all together on the same night we're as good as anyone in Division 1-South."

Both teams will now await the draw to see their seed and match-up for the tournament. Mansfield (14-7) will try to defend their Division 1-South sectional title, while Belmont (11-9) will be in the Division 2-North sectional.