Breakout stars Jacob Briggs, Matt Youngquist driving Middleboro boys hoops to hot stretch
MIDDLEBORO – Two breakout stars. Two breakout halves.
And, on the subject of numbers, 13 wins in the last 14 games for the Middleboro High boys basketball team -- all after the Sachems stumbled to an 0-3 start to the season.
It's all starting to come together behind 6-foot-3 forward Jacob Briggs, 6-foot-4 swingman Matt Youngquist and first-year head coach Joe Pauze. Each relishing in new roles this season, serving one of the hottest teams on the South Shore in big ways.
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“After the first few games, we had a goal to look at ourselves to find that toughness,” said Pauze after Middleboro (13-4) scored a thrilling, 56-54, win over league rival Norwell Friday night. “We’re staying with each other. We have a few bad minutes one quarter, we pick each other up. These kids are very close. It’s a great group of kids. They play their butts off for me. All credit goes to them, they’ve done everything I’ve asked: diving on loose balls, securing rebounds, playing tough and getting to the rim.”
Briggs bounced back from a 2-point first half ladened with foul trouble to shine as the Sachems' driving force to victory, scoring 18 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and sinking three-of-four crucial free throws down the stretch to seal the win, despite missing two prior attempts through the first three quarters.
“Similar to our last game. Against New Bedford (first game of the season, 65-53 loss), he didn’t have his best first half. Last time against Norwell (68-65 overtime win), he didn’t score the first three quarters. First half (Friday), he got in foul trouble," Pauze said. "I looked at him and said, ‘Hey, this is going to be your game to win or lose. You’re the leader of our team. You’re the senior captain. Everyone looks up to you; everyone looks at you to make those plays.’ And sure enough, he stepped up. He was clutch at the free throw line, for sure.”
“I can’t say enough about that kid," added Pauze. "I love him to death.”
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With 31 seconds left, Middleboro trailing 54-53, Briggs snared the defensive rebound on a Norwell missed free throw and, like the rush-first, award-winning quarterback he is on the football field, pushed it up the left side of the court and attacked the rim. Challenged by a wall of Norwell defenders, passed the ball out and continued to crash the glass for two extra offensive rebounds, earning a trip to the free throw line with an opportunity to give Middleboro the lead.
Both free throws rattled through.
“I love the clutch time," Briggs grinned. "It’s the most fun part of the game. When it’s a close game down the stretch, I love making plays for my teammates. It was a great game. Fun game to play.”
Briggs drilled a right-wing 3-pointer with 4:30 remaining, his lone long-ball of the evening, to give Middleboro a 49-47 lead. Two minutes later, he sent an outlet pass down court to Youngquist, who spoon-fed senior forward Charlie Botelho (11 points, 5 rebounds) a fastbreak layup with 2:19 to go, Middleboro up 53-52.
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Youngquist finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists in the win – 10 points in the standout first-half effort. A season ago, he was on the junior varsity team with no taste of the varsity stage. Nowadays, he's a nightly double-digit scorer with three games of 20-plus, including a 29-point night against Abington, under his belt.
“Matt Youngquist is one hell of a basketball player," Pauze said. "He puts in the time year-round. He plays AAU. He puts in work at practice, stays extra, gets those extra shots up. Most teams focus on Briggs, so that helps. He’s made teams pay who don’t know who Matt Youngquist is. I think everyone, now, knows he is capable of putting up 20, 25-plus any given night.”
Youngquist has scored in double figures 14 times this season.
“I worked really hard this offseason," Youngquist said. "I definitely expected a little, but the success I’ve had so far, I didn’t really think I’d have this much.”
Younquist's activity was key in Middleboro closing the first quarter on a 13-4 run to hold a one-point lead after falling behind to an 8-0 Norwell run through the first four minutes. And two of Briggs' first three baskets came on fighting through contact to score and-one finishes in the paint – a part of his game Briggs said he's particularly confident in flexing – as the Sachems held a 24-23 lead at the half.
“I feel like I can get to the rim against anyone," he said. "I feel like I have a mismatch against anyone.”
“I feel like when he’s in the right mindset, and he’s attacking, I don’t think anyone in the state can stop him," Youngquist agreed.
Also earning mentions on the stat sheet, senior Nick Marzelli (8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal), and Darian McGuffie and sophomore Ryan Marzelli each hit one 3-pointer for Middleboro. For Norwell, senior center Matt Leaver recorded 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks and Ryan Luccarelli scored 11.
Middleboro, which the MIAA tabs the No. 21 team in its latest Division 2 power rankings, first sparked its winning streak with a 68-65 overtime win over this same Norwell team on the road. Youngquist said the team gathered for an especially challenging practice the day before in an effort to turn the team's fortunes around after debuting 0-3.
Safe to say it worked.
“We knew this was going to be a battle. We knew it was going to go down to the last few minutes. Just kept the kids strong," Pauze said. "(Norwell) made a run, we made a run. Basketball is a game of runs. Ultimately, we made the run at the right time.”
“Best feeling in the world," Youngquist said. "Shout-out to our student section. They came through, filled the bleachers. It always feels good to get the win at home.”
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Middleboro boys hoops banking on Briggs, Youngquist to shine bright
