Hutchinson Memorial Basketball Tourney

High-Powered Bourne Downs BHS Boys in Title Game

By KEN HAMWEY,
Bulletin Sports Writer

The Barry Hutchinson Memorial Tournament is a fabulous way for Bellingham to honor a basketball coach who set high standards and left a legacy that emphasizes effort and enthusiasm.

Hutchinson died of a heart attack at the age of 47 in 2006, three years after his Blackhawks won the Division 3 state championship by defeating Bromfield, 49-40. Bellingham’s current coach, T.J. Chiappone, was Hutchinson’s varsity assistant and he knows all about Hutchinson’s penchant for excellence.

“Barry was intense and demanding,’’ Chiappone said. “But his players would have run through a stone wall for him. He was very caring about his players and the program. He always gave the kids all the time they needed.’’

The late coach would have been proud to see the way Bourne and Bellingham High competed in the 17th edition of the annual tourney. Bourne won the title game decisively, 68-50. The winning margin, however, is deceiving because the Canalmen led by 37 in the third quarter. 

But, don’t feel sorry for the Blackhawks. They never lost their desire and they personified what Hutchinson preached — effort and enthusiasm. 

“We knew Bellingham plays hard and they’ll win their share of games because of their relentless work ethic,’’ said Bourne coach Scott Ashworth, who was a teammate of Chiappone’s when they played at Bridgewater State University. “I knew coach Hutchinson, so playing in this tourney has meaning for me. We feel honored to be in this tourney.’’

Chiappone, who was acutely aware of Bourne’s excellence long before the game got underway, emphasized the Canalmen’s strengths in glowing terms after the championship trophy was presented to Ashworth and his players.

“They’re well-coached, they run the floor effectively, their inside and outside abilities are strong, they’re well-conditioned and they’re also physically and mentally tough,’’ Chiappone said. “We didn’t make shots, but our group played hard, and we’ll continue to rely on a strong work ethic in practice and in the games ahead.’’

Chiappone turned to his reserves midway through the third quarter. That contingent included Ryan Nolan, C.J. Fama, Alex Hughes, Zach Berkeley, John Doucette, Latrey Barche and Ryan Austin. They gave 100 percent and that effort led Bellingham to a 13-0 run in the final stanza.

The Blackhawks’ starting point guard, Ross Priscella, scored 24 points against Wayland in the tourney opener and was selected as a tourney all-star. He put the tourney in perspective with this view: “We didn’t get the result we wanted but we played as hard as we could for coach Hutchinson. None of our players knew him but we know he’s important to coach Chiappone and his staff, so he’s important to us.’’

Bourne, which plays in the South Coast Conference, left the tourney with a 5-0 record. The Blackhawks, who defeated Wayland, 53-39, is their first-round game, was 3-3 after the tourney but at the Bulletin’s deadline they improved to 5-3, losing to Medway then beating Dedham and Ashland. 

Bourne, which demolished Hopedale, 71-42, in its opening-round game, was led in the title matchup by Leo Andrade with 18 points. Not far behind were junior Nate Reynolds (17) and Mike Dankert (14). Andrade was the tourney MVP and Reynolds and Dankert were named to the all-tourney team. “Leo had a great tourney and is one of the quickest players I’ve coached,’’ Ashworth said. “Nate has great hands around the basket and Mike is a terrific inside-out player.’’

Bourne had a balanced effort in its win over Hopedale. Andrade and Dankert each scored 14 points while Emery Robbins had 12 and Reynolds added 10. Patrick Madden led the Blue Raiders with 20 points. 

“Against Hopedale, our defense helped our transition game,’’ Ashworth said. “We  shared the ball and made shots.’’

Hopedale coach Tony Cordani admitted that his squad was outplayed and didn’t have any answers against Bourne’s size and quickness. “They’re a dominant team in all facets of the game,’’ he said. “We were overmatched.’’

The Blue Raiders, however, won the consolation game, edging Wayland, 49-46, after a sluggish start that left them trailing 18-4. Hopedale’s Patrick Madden and Wayland’s Grant Larsen were selected to the all-tourney team.

“We’ve have a tendency to start slow,’’ Cordani said. “We were fortunate to recover in time to edge Wayland. “Patrick played well. He’s an all-around player with good skills.’’

Wayland coach Dennis Doherty, whose team leaves the tourney with an 0-4 record said his squad has to be more patient. “We lost to Bellingham in the opener because of turnovers and missed foul shots,’’ he noted. “We need to become more fundamentally sound.’’

Against Wayland, Priscella led Bellingham, getting 12 of his 24 points in the final quarter. Haroun Mafhoum had 10 for the Blackhawks while Larsen’s 12 points paced Wayland.

“Ross and Haroun were outstanding,’’ Chiappone said. “Our defense is starting to wear people down and our on-ball defense from our guards has been great.’’

Doherty had high praise for Priscella. “His compete level is very high,’’ he said, “and that makes it tough to guard him.’’

TOURNEY TIDBITS: Every year, Chiappone brings back a former player who competed for Hutchinson to address the current team and inform the players what the late coach was all about. This time he chose Matt Blue, who played the two-guard on the state title team and is a Hall of Fame inductee at BHS. Blue, whose name is on a banner in the gym that lists the school’s 1,000-point scorers, currently works for the National Basketball Association’s Global Academy in Australia as a player-development coach.  

The first seat on Bellingham’s bench, which had black and white balloons attached, was vacant for both tournament games. “That’s to signify that Barry Hutchinson’s spirit is still with us,’’ Chiappone said.