Mansfield Edged Out in D1 State Finals, Falls to Putnam 50-48 in OT

The Mansfield Hornets threw everything at the Putnam Beavers, but unfortunately. Putnam threw it right back at Mansfield. With the Hornets leading by as much as seven points, the Beavers did what they were known for and took over the second half on the boards.

Despite forcing overtime, shooting fouls and a struggling offense in the extra frame hurt the Hornets as the Beavers took home the MIAA Division 1 state title with a 50-48 win at the DCU Center in Worcester Saturday.

Hill Shows up Big in the First Half

Sophomore and Hockomock League MVP Brendan Hill came out strong for the Hornets with eight first half points and a team second best 12 points. Hill was a key scorer in the first half, putting the Hornets up 8-6 in the first quarter and getting the putback off of a missed three in the second half.

On the next possession, a steal by the sophomore led to a dunk and helped Mansfield extend a lead that would be seven at half-time. 

Beavers Defense Lives up to Reputation

While rebounds for both teams remained fairly even, the Beavers showed why they developed a reputation for exceptional rebounding despite a lack of size. Getting tip-outs on defensive rebounds, the transition offense helped the Beavers get multiple uncontested layups and kept Putnam in the game.

The Hornets tried to limit the fast break, but the Beavers were still able to sneak some baskets past Mansfield

“We almost didn’t adjust to it well enough because they still got some in the second half,” Mansfield head coach Michael Vaughan said. “We missed a couple of inside (baskets), they (Putnam) get the tip-out, they’re quickest to the ball, they throw ahead, and they get an uncontested layup."

Getting the tip-outs denied Mansfield the chance at second chance points and opened up the same opportunities for Putnam on the other end of the court.

Boulter Does Everything to Save the Hornets

With time ticking away in regulation, the Hornets were able to work the ball to Ryan Boulter (14 points) who was in the right corner waiting for the shot. Shooting with less than six seconds to play, Boulter didn’t get the three, but he drew the foul to earn three shots from the charity stripe.

“I didn’t know that kid was on me so I tried to draw the foul,” Boulter said. “My teammates have confidence in me shooting the ball so kinda nervous, but they always have confidence in me shooting the basketball and that’s what I did.”

The three made free throws tied the game 48-48 and sent the closely contested game to overtime. 

Drama in Overtime

Despite two more three pointers from Boulter, who accounted for all six Mansfield points in extra time, the Beavers stayed ahead going six for six from the free throw line and from a critical drive late in overtime by Ty Nichols to put Putnam up, 48-45.

Boulter’s three pointer tied the game with 19.9 seconds left, but Nichols’s two free throws put the Beavers up 50-48 with 7.5 seconds left.

A 20 footer from DeAndrade was Mansfield last attempt, but was no good as Putnam celebrated the their first state championship in school history.

Future Looks Bright in Mansfield

Despite the loss, this was a season that cannot be defined by one loss. The Hornets end the season with a record of 25-3 and as the Kelley-Rex Division champions and with their second D1 South title in three years. This was also the furthest any Mansfield basketball team has gone in the tournament.

“The positives are endless with this team. You can’t be upset about a 25 win season in high school. For that I’m very proud,” Vaughan said.

Greg Romanko will be the only starter to leave the team to graduation. Hill, Ryan Boulter, and Michael Boen are all sophomores and Kevin Conner, Rocky DeAndrade,  Kyle Wisnieski and Michael Hershman are juniors, making the Hornets a threat for next year and beyond.

With the high amount of returners, the Hornets can only go back to work and prepare for another run next year.

“This is going to sting for a few days, after we wake up after a couple of days we can make this as a motivation for next year to get back here. This isn’t easy and we hope we’ll have an opportunity to represent the South again,” Vaughan said. “We’re going to show up on three days after Thanksgiving and get ready to do this all over again.”