3-pointers propel Rams to victory

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HAMPDEN – As a snowstorm slowly worked its way to the Bangor area Friday night, it was raining threes in Hampden.

The Bangor Rams boys basketball team tossed up 30 shots from behind the 3-point arc, connecting on 10, en route to a 73-57 win over Hampden Academy in the teams’ mutual season opener.

The Rams entered the game having not played against a zone defense in the preseason and found the Broncos’ 2-3 zone to their liking. Particularly sophomore guard Aaron Gallant, who connected on two of three long-range shots and finished with 17 points to lead the Rams.

“That was a lot of fun. I mean, I just happened to be the one open tonight and we played good defense,” Gallant said.

Senior guard Nick Achorn also shot well from behind the 3-point line, tossing in three of six and finished with 11 points while senior Wes Day connected on two of four from behind the arc and also had 11.

But 3-pointers weren’t the only story of the night. The Rams were surprisingly crisp in their season opener, working the ball from the point to the post for kick-out passes to the wings for open shots.

Senior Zak Ray handled the point for Bangor and created a number of scoring opportunities off steals and the fast break. Ray also showed he has the range to force defenders to come out and meet him. He finished with 15 points.

“We really played well,” Ray said. “I think we’re going to open some eyes this year. And I hope we play as well as we can.”

The Rams led by eight after the first quarter and were seemingly in control of the game and appeared ready to run away with the game early. The Broncos, however, chipped away at the margin and cut the lead to four on a Clayton Tunney free throw with 2:56 remaining in the half.

But Bangor went on a 10-0 run to close out the quarter when Jordan Heath fired in a 3-pointer and Ray converted a three-point-play when he made a free throw after being fouled while hitting a runner in the lane. The Rams’ Kevin Flynn then made a short-range shot to close out the half.

The Rams opened their lead to 21 at the end of the third quarter despite some good play by Hampden senior Ben Keller, who scored 16 points, and 6-foot-8 freshman Jordan Cook, who scored 12 points and blocked five shots in his first varsity game.

“It wasn’t too bad. I was a little nervous at first but I got used to it. It was pretty physical. I’ve got to get stronger,” Cook said.

Although somewhat surprised at the number of 3-point shots his team took, Bangor coach Roger Reed said that’s OK with him.

“The kids know that they don’t have to worry. If they’ve got the open shot they’re to take it. We’re trying to play a little up-tempo and get the open shots because we’ve got guys who are good catch and shooters,” Reed said.

RAMS 73, BRONCOS 57

Bangor boys (1-0) Hampden Acad. (0-1)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Heath 1 7 0 0 3 McNutt 0 4 2

Achorn 4 10 0 0 11 Shannon 1 2 2

Gallant 7 11 1 1 17 Keller 5 14 16

Dowe 2 2 0 0 4 Dalton 3 7 0 6

Day 4 8 1 1 11 Meehan 1 3 4 6

Conteh 0 0 0 0 0 Tunney 1 2 6

Prentiss 0 0 0 0 0 Mayo 0 0 1

DeRosa 0 1 1 2 1 Moran 1 4 6

Heath 0 1 0 1 0 Cook 6 7 12

K. Flynn 2 3 0 2 4

R. Flynn 2 3 1 2 5

Cassidy 1 2 0 0 2

Weymouth 0 4 0 0 0

Ray 6 13 1 1 15

Totals 29 65 5 10 73 Totals 18 43 15 31 57

Bangor 22 37 56 73

Hampden Acad. 14 23 35 57

3-pt. goals: Bangor (10-30): Achorn 3-6, Gallant 2-3, Day 2-4, Ray 2-8, Heath 1-7, Weymouth 0-2; Hampden (0-7): Dalton 0-3, Keller 0-1, McNutt 0-1, Meehan 0-1, Tunney 0-1

Attendance: 150 (est.)

Preliminary: Bangor JVs 63-56