By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CANAAN — Soon after Mascoma hung the soccer banner from their most successful season in school history the game was over, as the sky-high Royals came out firing on all cylinders to dismantle the Stevens Cardinals, 68-36.
Tyler-Jay Mardin, Zach Thomas and James Thomas were all over Stevens, as they jumped out to a 17-2 lead and ran away with their eight win of the season.
The Cardinals could do nothing right as the Royals were swarming all over the court with steals, blocked shots and fastbreak layups before Stevens knew what hit them. Mascoma led at the break 40-14 as Thompson and Mardin combined for 20 points. Thomas was like a Swiss Army knife, doing all the dirty things that produced all the key plays. “I’ve really worked hard in the off season in my basement with my step dad lifting weights and it helps. We had something to prove tonight and as a team everything just clicked,” said Thomas.
Mascoma increased their lead in every quarter as the cold Cardinals shooting continued, ending in a 68-38 loss. Lots of young Cardinals got plenty of playing time over the last eight minutes. Mascoma would go to their reserves a bit after Ray Curren cleared the Stevens bench.
Stevens had three players score six points each. Hunter LaRocque, Jai-Lique and Mason Ferland led the Cardinals, but the story of the game was the quickness of Mascoma defense along with a great transition game.
Thompson led all scorers with 23 points while Mardin dropped 11 points and freshman Brayden Pierce finished with 10 points.
Stevens falls to 9-4 while Mascoma improves to 8-3.
It took overtime to decide an exciting JV game as Mascoma edged Stevens 43-41. Logan Minkler led Stevens with 12 points.
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