Chelsea Red Devils Nip Sharon

By Laurie-Jean B. Gauthier

The Sharon Academy lost a heartbreaker to host Chelsea in play-off action, when Joe Bonasera deposited "a 10-foot jumper," with only six seconds remaining in the game. That shot put the Red Devils up by two, 43-41, and TSA into a needy possession that they were not able to capitalize on. Sharon lost possession off the inbound pass that sent Jim Welch to the stripe, where he was good for one, sending the Phoenix back to Sharon and out of the post season. The Red Devils earned a shot at the top seeded Proctor Phantoms tonight.

The Red Devils held an 11 –point advantage over TSA after one quarter, at 17-6. The Phoenix, like their namesake, rose from the ashes and erased all 11 points in the second. They nearly overtook their hosts when they finished the second period down by a mere one point, 20-19, entering the break.

Both teams continued to keep the game within their grasp right down to the last 20 seconds. Phoenix Evan Frank tied the game at 41-all with "a driving lay-up" before Bonasera connected with the jumper. A Red Devil steal, unfortunately, gave Chelsea the ball, and a trip to freebie land, where it all ended for Sharon. TSA finishes the season with a 10-10 record and Chelsea improves to 12-8.

Red Devil Jordan Lyford was high scorer with 16 points followed by Phoenix Evan Frank with 13 points. Lone Phoenix senior Luke Battey finished with 10 points.

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