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Wamogo edges Nonnewaug on Albano bucket |
Spencer Albano was the hero for Wamogo in Friday's win over Nonnewaug. Albano, above, gets into position for his game-winning shot and below gets the shot off with Nonnewaug defenders all over him. John McKenna photos
By John McKenna
BZ sports reporter
A Wamogo boys basketball season that appeared to be going nowhere in January suddenly has a new life. The Warriors picked up their biggest win of the winter on Friday when Spencer Albano sank a runner with 9 seconds left to upset Berkshire League-leader Nonnewaug, 43-42. Wamogo, which lost six straight games last month, has won two straight by one point and is 6-9 with five games left in the regular season. Two more wins will earn the Warriors a trip to the Class S tournament. "We've put ourselves in position with five games left to make the tournament," Wamogo coach Gregg Hunt said. "This was a huge win for us, because we've lost so many heartbreakers." A month ago Hunt's club probably wouldn't have won a game like Friday's. But by recommitting themselves to defense and making good decisions with the ball, the Warriors are more confident when the game is on the line. Albano's game-winner capped a chess match of a fourth quarter that saw Nonnewaug overcome a 37-31 deficit and take a 42-41 lead with 39 seconds left. On Wamogo's final possession, Albano got the ball on the wing and made his move to the basket. With Nonnewaug players draped all over him, Albano swished a tear-drop from just inside the free-throw line to put his team ahead. "Coach wanted us to drive and look to get fouled, so as soon as I got the ball that's what I did," Albano said. "This was a great win for us and boosts our confidence. We really needed it." There were more heroics for the Warriors on Nonnewaug's final possession, this time from Mark Csehak, who blocked a last-second shot by Jake Pogodzienski.
"I had to get up high to get it because he's a big guy," Csehak said. "I hustled and got after it." Mark Csehak, driving baseline in the first half, made some key plays, including blocking a shot in the final seconds.
Early in the third quarter, Nonnewaug was on the verge of pulling away after three straight Wamogo turnovers allowed the Chiefs to build a 27-19 lead. But Wamogo regrouped and went on an 18-4 run to take a 37-31 by the end of the quarter. Nick Nemergut banked in a three-point field goal to put the Warriors up 32-31 and ended the quarter by banking in a runner. Albano finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds and Nemergut had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Mark Davis added seven points and Eric Davis had six. Csehak and Billy Grambo made key contributions at both ends of the floor. Below, top to bottom, Nick Nemergut rises for a shot, Billy Grambo drives and Mark Davis puts up a two-pointer.
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