FALLS VILLAGE—Housatonic Valley Regional High School (HVRHS) boys’ basketball opened
the 2023-24 season at home with a 74-53 loss to Terryville on Thursday, Dec. 14.
After getting off to a hot start, Terryville rode a comfortable lead from the first quarter through to the fourth. A late run by the Mountaineers made for a competitive second half, but the momentum came too late for HVRHS to overcome the deficit.
With just one senior in the lineup, the young Mountaineer squad stepped on the court with high hopes for the season to come. Through the first half, they slowly settled into coach Kurt Johnson’s cut-and-drive offensive scheme before it really started to click late in the game.
HVRHS got tripped up by Terryville’s full-court press and fell victim to traps. The onslaught caused turnover after turnover in the first quarter and helped Terryville establish a 19-2 lead.
Johnson subbed in a smaller lineup for the second quarter and the guards made an immediate impact with Jacob Marcus splashing back-to-back threes to start the quarter. Terryville capitalized on the defensive mismatches, however, and continued adding to the lead. HVRHS trailed by 21 points at halftime.
The Mountaineers came out of the locker room looking like a different team in the second half. They played with new-found intensity on defense and put the pressure onto Terryville. HVRHS built up steam throughout the third quarter and cut the lead to 8 points.
Both sides traded baskets and the lead remained steady for most of the fourth quarter. With two-and-a-half minutes to play, Terryville led 62-53. HVRHS was fired up and in full rally mode. The boys’ passion got the best of them, and they fell into foul trouble in the final minutes.
Terryville scored its final 12 points on the free throw line and won the game 74-53.
Coach Johnson said the team looked “a little bit lethargic” in the first quarter but was pleased to see the adjustment at halftime.
“We made it a game,” said Johnson. “We just need to start that way.”
Terryville was led by Charlie Rogers with 18 points and nine rebounds. Owen Riemer led HVRHS in scoring with 16 points and three 3-pointers.
The Mountaineers will suit up over the holiday break to host Gilbert School on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 6 p.m.
Courtesy of the Lakeville Journal
