MOUNT ROYAL FALLS TO EPPING

SUNAPEE – The seventh seeded Mount Royal Academy Knights welcomed the ten seed Epping Blue Devils Tuesday night, but failed to move on in the Division IV tournament, losing 65-52.

While the Knights won the opening tip, they struggled for a majority of the first period. At points they could not buy a basket, especially around the rim. “We came out sluggish,” said Mount Royal Head Coach Matt McMenaman. “I think it was inexperience in a big moment. We let them get ahead early and had a hard time clawing back.”

Both squads began to get into foul trouble late in the quarter, leading to bench players from both sides getting playoff minutes. The Blue Devils led after one, 14-10.

In the second, Mount Royal continued to struggle making their baskets in the paint. As the lid remained on the basket for them, the offense opened up for Epping. “We have a good point guard and we look to him to generate offense,” said Epping Head Coach Nick Fiset. “We just move the ball into the best shot possible.” For every Mount Royal punch, the Blue Devils had a perfect counter, and their lead swelled to 37-22 to end the half.

The third quarter was much of the same, with each team going shot for shot. This back and forth was not helpful for the Knights, as their 15 point deficit remained at the end of the period, down 49-34.

For the Knights, they got big performances out of Senior Alex Normandin, who scored 13 in his final game, and Sophomore Andrew Normandin, who dropped a team high 15 before fouling out late in the fourth.

An ankle injury to Epping Senior Doug Nadeau, game high 17 points, late in the third seemed to spark a fire under the Knights. In the fourth, they fought their way back into the contest. “I am really proud of them,” said McMenaman. “I think the fear wore off.” The fear and timidity their offense displayed in the first half was gone, as they continuously drove to the rim, either getting fouled or making a great layup.

On the defensive end, their intensity also picked up, blocking multiple Blue Devil shots while making the lane almost impenetrable. They closed the gap to seven, but the fouling out of Normandin seemed to stop all momentum. From their, Epping closed it out.

“I think we handled the ball better,” said Fiset. “It is hard for us to get turned over when pressured. If we just make out free throws, we win that game by 20.” Despite their dismal free throw percentage, the Blue Devils pulled out the win, 65-52.

The loss ends the Knights’ season, but there is plenty of hope for the future. “The game will continue to get slower as we get more experience,” said McMenaman. “I told the guys to keep their heads high.”

For Epping, they move on to face a juggernaut in the Pittsfield Panthers in the next round. “When we are good, we are really good. But when we are bad, we can be really bad,” said Fiset. “We got to be really good all game to beat them. It is a tall task, but we are up to it.”