Boys' Basketball: Belmont Falls From the Undefeated in Loss to Brockton

Despite having two players with very hot hands, Belmont High School Boys' Basketball team could not overcome the balanced attack from host Brockton High School, falling to the Boxers, 84-72, in the finals of the 40th annual Rotary Club Brockton Holiday Tournament Saturday night, Dec. 28. 

Led by sophomore guard Matt Kerins (a game high 25 points) and junior center Adam Kleckner (21 points) – both were named tournament All-Stars – Belmont (4-1) attempted a late fourth quarter comeback, cutting a double-digit lead Brockton (2-2) held since early in the second quarter to 69-60. But a 13-6 run by the Boxers sealed the ultimate decision. 

"Brockton really played terrific in all facets," said Adam Pritchard, Belmont's long-time head coach.

"Offensively, our balance was off, which is a credit to Brockton's defense. We only had two players in double digits when we have been getting four or five [per game]," said Pritchard.

Brockton had 10 players with at least three points led by junior Ariff McLaren (17 points, 13 in the second half) and tournament MVP Kiano Monteiro (12 points, 7 assists), two of the five Boxers with 10 or more points in the game. 

Pritchard said the tournament experience, in which Belmont defeated Providence (RI) Classical High School, 81-71, in Friday's opener, has provided him an idea of his team's progress so far this season. 

"We have a lot of potential and will face many tests in the upcoming weeks, starting with Reading (on Friday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Wenner in Belmont). Our eyes must be on constant improvement and team progression," he said.

"We are less than a quarter way through the schedule and we are making strides as a team. We need to improve our team defense and focus more on rebounding. These will be the keys to our ability to run and control the tempo," said Pritchard.