Senators will look to make noise in states

The host Brien McMahon High School boys' baskeball team lost to Stamford in what was effectively a playoff game on Feb. 24.

With a berth in the FCIAC Tournament on the line, the Stamford Black Knights broke open a close game and outscored the Senators 30-18 in the final quarter to get back to the conference playoffs with a 76-64 win.

Stamford and McMahon both had 10-7 records in conference play and the regular-season finale came down to the final eight minutes before ending McMahon's conference playoff hopes.

McMahon's CJ Langley scored 15 points, Tyler Shuler added 13, Joseph Tomberlin had 12 and TJ McCrae 11 in the defeat.

Stamford's Mark Ellis led the way with 22 points, 14 if which came in that decisive fourth quarter. Jethro Anilus had 21 points, 9 of which came on 3-pointers.

McMahon carried a 22-18 lead into the second quarter and found itself knotted up at 37-37 with the Knights at halftime. Both defenses clamped down in the third quarter, during which the Senators missed five consecutive free throws. Both teams managed just 9 points in the period and the game remained tied - 46 apiece - heading into the fourth.

Langley opened the fourth-quarter scoring with an outside jumper but Ellis took over, scoring the next three baskets and the Knights never looked back.

McMahon's Lamar Tate got into foul trouble and picked up his fourth in the third quarter. McMahon Coach Mo Tomlin said the foul trouble impacted his game and opened the door for Stamford to score. Tomlin added that he wasn't thrilled with some of the foul calls or the fact he didn't get a couple timeouts he tried to call.

"Overall, there were some things we could have done better," Tomlin added, recognizing that his team didn't play mistake-free ball.

The Senators began the game in a zone defense but went to a man-to-man setup because "we wanted to throw them a different look for a bit," Tomlin said. But Stamford took the lead at that point and the Senators went back to a zone but the momentum stayed on Stamford's side.

Stamford Coach Jim Moriarty said it was a shame the Senators, given how well they have been playing, won't be in the conference tourney. Although this result may be a letdown for McMahon, it won't take much to get the Senators fired up for the start of state tournament action.

"At this point, my kids are hungry. They're going to battle back. They're going to work hard and we're going to get it done," Tomlin said. "I feel sorry for who ever we see in the first round of states because we're going to be hard to handle."