Mansfield Wins D1 South Title, Advance to State Semifinals

If there has been one constant with the Mansfield Hornets this season it has been that anyone, whether it be one of the starters or a bench player can take over and be the star of the game. T

his was the case again in the Hornets’ match against the North Quincy Red Raiders in the finals of the MIAA Division 1 South tournament. With Kyle Wisnieski and Ryan Boulter coming off the bench to both score a game high 16 points, the Hornets took home their second title in three years with a 57-45 win over the Red Raiders  

Wisnieski Takes Over the Third Quarter

Giving the Hornets the boost they needed coming out of the half, the junior kept the Red Raiders at bay during some close moments in the second half.

Up by two with less that five minutes left in the third quarter, Wisnieski’s drive for two and Brendan Hill’s three-point play turned a one possession game into a seven point lead.

Later in the third, a top of the key three from Wisnieski got the lead to eight and helped hold off a potential North Quincy comeback.

"He’s (Wisnieski) game MVP today in my mind. He comes up with two huge threes, plays awesome defense, gets a couple of penetrations under the basket when we weren't finding our shots and I couldn't more excited and proud of him,” Mansfield head coach Michael Vaughan said.

Taken out of the starting lineup for the postseason, Wisnieski has adjusted well to his new roll, providing a boost for the Hornets from the bench.

“We took him out of the starting lineup to move some matchups and make sure that him and Boen are always on the court at the same time and talk about a kid who has excepted his role. He’s the type of kid we have in this program and that’s why we’re here," Vaughan said.

Stopping the North Quincy Runs and Wearing out the Red Raiders

Taking advantage of some sloppy play by Mansfield to start the second half, the Red Raiders cut the lead to two in the third and to four early in the fourth quarter.

With the Hornets' ability to quickly swing the momentum their way, it was only a matter of time before those small leads were back up to seven and eight points.

“I knew at some point like any other game we’re going to go on a run and make some baskets and it’s just you gotta stick with the game plan on both ends,” Vaughan said.

Early in the fourth, a two-pointer by Daniel Gould brought North Quincy to within four but Ryan Boulter responded with the fourth of his five three pointers  as the Red Raiders would not get any closer for the remainder of the game.

Things weren't easy for Gould and his twin brother Patrick. Daniel, the team's best scorer, fought for 16 hard earned points while Patrick finished the game with four points.

"I thought we did a tremendous job on (Daniel) Gould. He had to work for everything tonight," Vaughan said.

Central Catholic Awaits at the TD Garden

Possibly the Hornets’ toughest opponent of the season is next when Mansfield faces the Catholic Central Raiders in the Division 1 semifinals at the TD Garden in Boston. The Raiders made it to the Garden by crushing Lynn English 83-58 in the Division 1 North championship. Mentioning he saw the Raiders play over the Christmas break, Vaughan called the team, "phenomenal."

Tip-off is schedule for Tuesday, March 12, 7:45 p.m.