ATHOL — A mass substitution just minutes into a basketball game is never a good sign.
Unless the team gets the message, clearly.
The Athol boys basketball team recovered from a shaky start and beat St. Mary’s, 63-26, Thursday night.
There was a game plan in place for the Red Raiders (1-1), but the starters did not follow it.
“We came out and talked for three days about pressing full court,” Athol coach Dan Bevis said. “First possession, nobody presses. Second possession, nobody presses. Three strikes and you’re out.”
Once the starters filtered back onto the court the Red Raiders pulled away from the Saints quickly and efficiently.
Nick Bousquet hit two 3-pointers and scored eight of his 12 points in the first quarter.
The second quarter was when the Red Raiders started to really get going behind the play of point guard Bryce King.
King’s defense was highly disruptive to the Saints’ ballhandlers and his speed allowed him to get shots for himself and his teammates.
“This team this year we just focus on defense,” King said. “I just read the court.”
King had 15 points with six assists and six steals.
“He’s really the catalyst for us,” Bevis said. “He can get us going on both ends. Aside from the steals, he was able to get his hands on a lot of passes.”
With King playing aggressive defense, the Red Raiders did a good job switching when needed.
Leading scorer Mark Ferrari missed the game due to an illness. Ferrari had missed school all week until Thursday.
Athol started the second quarter on a 16-0 run and led 38-10 at halftime.
Athol’s game was the second in the fourth annual Red Raider Holiday Basketball Tournament. Earlier in the night Leominster beat Monty Tech.
“I still think that shot selection is key,” Bevis said. “We can get better with that and take better shots. But we had some guys get some confidence tonight, seeing the ball go through the hoop. That’s something we can build on.”
Noah Pottinger had a solid all-around game for the Red Raiders with eight points, along with Riley Paine, who scored six points.
At one point Pottinger sent a 3-point attempt by the Saints into the backcourt, where he retrieved it and scored for Athol.
Maysin Tarbell finished with five points.
Athol will play Leominster on Friday at 7 p.m.
