By Jack Hooker
The Lions’ boys’ basketball team won 60-43 over Acton Boxborough today with the help of junior forward Mark Karmiy, who scored 18 points.
Karmiy scored eight early points in the first quarter by capitalizing on turnovers from AB. Juniors center Brendan Duggan (seven points) and guard Joe Esbenshade (14 points) each had four points in the first quarter.
South was up 18-5 at the end of the first quarter.
Esbenshade scored two more baskets in the second quarter, driving hard to the hoop. Senior captain forward Phil Caleb-Levine (five points) and junior captain point guard Geoffrey Gray (six points) each had a couple of steals which led to transitional baskets.
South led 33-9 at the end of the first half.
Switching to a zone defense around the perimeter, AB sacrificed the baseline, which ultimately resulted in baskets in the paint from Karmiy and freshman center Sasha Hoban (four points). AB’s defense collapsing on the shooter in the paint also led to three point opportunity. Karmiy and Esbenshade each had a triple in the third.
Going into the fourth quarter, South led 48-22.
Narrowing the deficit, AB was able to force turnovers from the Lions. However, three pointers from Esbenshade and junior guard Jack Groper (five points) sealed the deal for the Lions in the 60-43 win over AB.
The Lions now move to 2-4.
Playing a team which was 3-0, South came out strong and minimized turnovers on the offensive end, something it has struggled with all season.
Excellent defensive efforts from senior guards Max Hooker and Ethan Meyer helped limit the Colonials to nine points in the first half, a hole too deep to come back from.
The Lions’ next game is home against Westford (5-2) at 7 p.m.
