BC High Defeats Brighton 55-51, Wins The Comcast Classic Championship

In a game where the players on both sides were hardly given any room to breathe, let alone enough space to get a clean shot off, it seemed fitting that the most crucial play came on a scramble for a loose ball. BC High, the #6 team in the state, led #11 Brighton for most of the Comcast Classic Championship game at Babson College. Up 52-51 with 30 seconds to play, the Eagles ran the clock down and Senior guard Charles Collins drove the lane for a tough floater in traffic. During the ensuing scrap for the rebound, the ball traveled all the way out to midcourt before another BC High senior, Jameilen James, hit the deck to secure the ball and call a timeout.

There were 4 seconds remaining. Brighton was forced to foul James on the inbounds play and he knocked down both free throws, thus sealing the tournament for BC High.

Nick Simpson led the way for Brighton with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. He was rather efficient from three-point range (4 for 7) but the rest of the Bengals went 2 of 20 from deep. BC High’s tough zone defense deserves a lot of credit for this poor percentage, but Brighton’s shooters will certainly see these shots as missed opportunities that they need to rectify in the upcoming City League tournament.

Ball security was also an issue for the Bengals, as they turned it over 11 times in the first half alone. However they fought back, outscoring the Eagles in the second and third quarters before Prince Unaegbu threw down a thunderous dunk to tie it at 34. A few minutes later Simpson drained a three to give Brighton their first lead of the game at 40-37, but the Eagles answered right back.

Simpson Hits A Corner 3

Collins and Jones were immense for BC High throughout the game, and with a combined 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists from the two Senior guards, it’s easy to see why college scouts and coaches were in attendance to get a close look at their talents. However it was Senior Pete Timmins, a center with range, who hit several clutch three pointers to stop Brighton’s momentum and put the Eagles back in the drivers’ seat.

#13 Jones With A Tough Pull-up

After falling behind early in the fourth quarter, Timmins's big shots sparked a 12-4 run that put BC High in control up 49-44. Brighton guard Malik James started to take matters into his own hands and nearly closed the gap, but unfortunately the Bengals could not connect on a big outside shot when needed. James and Simpson were the stars on Sunday night when Brighton upset an undefeated Danvers team in the semifinals, yet towards the end of this game the Bengals ran out of gas against a very well-coached BC High team.

Timmins Drives Baseline

Brighton will take on South Boston in the semifinals of the City League Tournament on Wednesday February, 20^th at 4 p.m. at Madison Park High School.