Tourney MVP Murphy, St. Mark's class acts
It's going to take a while before that smile gets wiped off Erik Murphy's face.
"This is unbelievable. I'm going to remember this forever," said the senior after scoring 19 points and adding nine rebounds yesterday as St. Mark's rebounded from a slow start to drub Holderness, 86-53, at Endicott College in Beverly for its third NEPSAC Class C championship in four years.
Murphy, a 6-foot-10-inch forward who will play for the University of Florida next season, was named the tournament's MVP.
Penetration from guards Dave Johnson (seven assists) and Russ Braithwaite was key, as St. Mark's took advantage of its interior size with its big three of Georgetown-bound junior forward Nate Lubick (14 points), Murphy, and his brother, 6-7 freshman Alex (15 points).
As the half wore on, the three were increasingly efficient. St. Mark's finished the first half with a 23-5 run, to take a commanding 44-19 lead.
Class A - George Washington-bound forward Dwayne Smith slammed home an errant layup with 4.2 seconds left to complete the comeback for South Kent, which beat Bridgton, 89-85, after trailing by 15 at the half. Carl Blair led the way with 20 points for Bridgton.
Class B - UConn-bound forward Alex Oriakhi had 29 points and 20 rebounds and Tilton played strong defense on Marianapolis in the overtime, not allowing a field goal, to win 89-78. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, another UConn-bound forward, had 24 points, while Gerard Coleman, an All-Scholastic at West Roxbury, added 17.
Class D - Allen Williamson and Lamar Rey each scored 19 points, helping Pingree down Bancroft, 63-47.
Class B - Rivers outlasted Pomfret, 50-44, behind Tayla Melendez's 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Class C - Claire Fitzpatrick's 23 points and 8 rebounds led Canterbury to a 60-54 win over Holderness.
Class D - Junior forward Sydney Parkmond had 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 steals as Chase Collegiate beat McDuffie, 55-31.
NEPSAC Div. 2 - Sophomore Alex Carpenter scored all four goals as Governor's Academy shut out Southfield, 4-0, to repeat as division champions. Carpenter also repeated as the tournament's MVP, scoring 10 goals and assisting on four in three games.
MIAA Div. 2 quarterfinal - Sophomore Meg Creane stopped breakaway chances in the second and third periods to help Winchester defeat Walpole, 2-0. Sophomore Michaela Chiuccariello and junior Amanda Nowell scored for the Sachems.
