In the moments leading up to tip-off, Maples fans weren’t sure if star senior guard Richaud Pack would play against Avondale.
Not only did he start, he scored 21 points, despite playing with a pinched nerve.
Despite getting more bench time than usual because of his injury, Pack helped pace Seaholm (13-1) to Monday’s 67-60 win.
After finishing the first quarter down 16-15, the Maples stepped up their play in the second quarter. They were able to extend the lead up to 10 at one point and ultimately finished the half leading 34-25.
Avondale’s best player, junior guard Ray Tillman, sat much of the second quarter with foul trouble. This gave Seaholm an opening to take the lead.
Seaholm played a very impressive third quarter, with junior forward Shawn Conway playing some of his best basketball of the season. Conway finished the game with 22 points, 11 rebounds, six steals, and four blocks.
Sophomore guard Christian Pino added a double-double, with 10 points and 10 assists.
With a commanding lead, Seaholm went to the bench in the fourth quarter. Although this game does not count in the conference record, it was a big win for the Maples as they continue to progress.
On Tuesday February 2nd, the boys basketball team did something they hadn’t done all year -- they lost.
The Maples visited the Rochester Adams Highlanders for an OAA White match-up and lost 48-42.
Adams started off on a 12-4 run, but Seaholm was able to climb back in with three-pointers by Pino and Pack, who finished with 23 points.
Hot shooting by the Highlanders was the story throughout the game. After going into the half with a one point 21-20 lead, they hit two three-pointers to start off the second half.
Whenever Pack got the ball, the Highlanders’ defense would swarm him, forcing turnovers. Seaholm also missed some shots from down low that had been going in all year for them.
Pretty soon the Maples found themselves down 15 and called a timeout to try to get something going.
The Maples came out of that timeout determined and looking more like the team they had been all season. They cut the deficit to six with two minutes left, and to four with one minute remaining. A bucket by junior forward Shawn Conway (11 points, nine rebounds) made it a two point game with 40 seconds left.
Seaholm was able to make the stop on defense and get the ball back, calling a timeout with about 30 seconds left. Off the timeout, Pack got the ball outside the arc on the baseline, drove in, and missed a close shot leaving the Maples with no other choice but to foul. Adams hit their free throws to put the game away.
“I think the loss definitely motivates us more for the rest of the season,” said junior forward Brad White.
