The Marblehead Magicians (2-2) defeated the Danvers Falcons 78-56 in enemy territory on Friday evening, outscoring the Falcons 37-22 in the second half to get their second win of the season.
Senior guard Tyrone Countrymon (22 points) and junior forward Nicholas Lemmond (14 points) led the Magicians.
One thing head coach Michael Giardi was concerned about was the “game shape” his players would be in since their last game was more than one week ago in Florida.
“We came back [from Florida] and gave the guys [time off]. Yesterday was our first practice where we were a little sluggish,” Giardi said. “I was afraid we would be a little bit out of shape.”
In the second quarter, the Magicians’ big men provided timely baskets and rebounds. Scott Campbell (eight points) and Miles O’Neill (nine points) both made their presence felt in the quarter, helping the Magicians maintain their lead heading into halftime 41-34.
Entering the third quarter with just a seven-point lead, Giardi was heard talking about “energy” and how he wanted his team to show more of it.
Midway through the third quarter, Isaiah Makor (seven points) got his teammates energized on a fast break when he rose and posterized a Falcons player. Makor took the contact from a defender and flushed home the one-handed slam. The Magicians’ players got off their seats celebrating the play.
Though a highlight-reel play, Giardi was more impressed with how Makor went about the dunk.
“His ability to go to the rim that strong, whether he dunked it or not, just seeing him go up that hard, take the contact, and still be able to get it down definitely got some energy in our team,” Giardi said.
Countrymon found his rhythm. The senior guard scored the ball inside the paint and showed his range as well, knocking down four three-pointers. He also facilitated, threading the needle on a pass through traffic to Ryan Commoss (10 points) for the reverse layup.
Most coaches want their star players to get teammates involved, but Giardi believed Countrymon was too unselfish in previous games.
“We were down in Florida and he sometimes overpassed down there. He’s trying to distribute so much, but he did a great job [tonight],” Giardi said. “He has a good feel for spacing. That’s what he does; he sees the floor very very well.”
Marblehead executed down the stretch and it was never in doubt. The Magicians are back in action Tuesday night when they travel to Saugus with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
Marblehead’s point leaders:
Countrymon (22 points)
Lemmond (14 points)
Commoss (10 points)
O’Neill (nine points)
Campbell (eight points)
Makor (seven points)
Aven Denbow (two points)
Cameron Comstock (two points)
Matthew Sherf (two points)