Wilbraham and Monson holds off Vermont
January 11, 2012 New England Hoop News Staff
There was once a time when prep school basketball seemed a bit boring and dull. It lacked passion and rivalries. Those feelings certainly weren't present today at Wilbraham and Monson Academy. Their matchup with Vermont Academy pitted two of the better Class AA teams in the NEPSCAC. The stars certainly came out to play in the contest and the capacity crowd left entertained. A three at the buzzer by junior, Jaylen Brantley, lifted the Titans to 63-60 victory and a 11-3 record on the season. Vermont drops to 7-4 on the year with the loss.
The 1st half saw Wilbraham jump out to an early lead as Brantley sandwiched two threes outside one from fellow junior, Kamali Bey to take a 16-9 lead. That lead continues to hover around 10-12 points for the remainder of the half as WMA went into halftime with a 35-23 advantage.
Vermont came out firing on all cylinders to start the 2nd half, opening up with a 13-0 run to take their first lead of the game. 6'10 junior center, Dominic Woodson was a load on the block and 6'7 Jamel Artis, was extremely tough in transition. Woodson, who finished with 14 points, scored six in the run.
The remainder of the game was neck and neck with neither team building more than a 4-point advantage. Ultimately, it was the big play of Brantley, who won the game for the Titans. A three on the wing, and then a floater in the lane were just prequels for Brantley's final act. With the game tied at 60, Artis held the ball in a clear-out situation for Vermont and got into the lane for a good-looking pull up that he back-rimmed. Wilbraham secured the defensive rebound and Brantley held the ball for one shot. With the clock winding down, Brantley came right off a high ball screen, hesitated as the defensive help drifted back into the lane and pulled off a fadeaway three on the right wing, in front of the WMA bench. The ball went in as the buzzer sounded giving the Titans the win the three-point victory.
Brantley led all scorers with 22 points while Bey added 14 for Wilbraham. Artis chipped in with 12 for Vermont.
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