MVRHS boys hoopsters keep Storm at bay

Vineyarders win big in home opener.

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The Vineyarders rebounded from an opening-day defeat at Monomoy with a resounding 70-37 Cape and Islands League win over the Sturgis East Storm in the first boys basketball home game of the season, Thursday afternoon at the Sancy Pachico Gym in Oak Bluffs.

In contrast with the season opener, in which the Vineyarders dug themselves a 25-6 first-quarter hole, the intensity and effort was there from the opening tip on the home floor. MV scored the first 13 points of the game and never looked back. The Vineyarders fought for every loose ball and every rebound, as bodies crashed, bumped, and spilled to the floor throughout the physical contest.

Vineyard Coach Mike Joyce was pleased with his team’s effort, especially on defense, but was quick to point out that it’s early in the season, and much work still needs to be done. “There’s still a lot to tighten up, especially offensively, on the free-throw line [MV was 11 of 26], and some layups that we need to convert in tight games,” he said. “We didn’t convert those, and that’s kind of what happened the beginning of last game is we missed a lot of those type of things. But the effort was there, and I’m pleased with how hard the guys are playing, especially defensively. Offensively is where we have to work better at execution and work better at recognition, so we can be more efficient. Defensively, I like it. Other than the first quarter the other day, we played really hard, and that’s how you’ve got to do it.”

A dozen Vineyarders scored points in the game. Aiden Rogers stood alone in double figures with 13. Jared Regan had nine points and Solon Oliver scored eight, while Dylan Dyke, Kaio Reis, and Rammon Dos Santos added seven apiece. Rogers and Dos Santos were the top rebounders.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Vineyard JV boys improved to 2-0 by beating the Storm 61-29. Adam Knight chalked up four treys and 14 points overall, Leo Neville scored 11, and Nico Arroyo had nine.