THOMASTON >> Thomaston boys basketball (6-5) turned a close game against Nonnewaug (5-6) into a fourth-quarter run-away at Thomaston High School for a 59-45 win Thursday night.
The Golden Bears overcame a 6-0 Nonnewaug start for a narrow 24-22 lead by the half, 40-37 after three quarters.
Then they lit their engines on offense and defense.
Six-foot-three Thomaston guard Jared Kahn (18 points) started with two straight steals, ending the first at the foul line, the second in a race downcourt for a layup.
Nonnewaug’s JD Gergenbach came back with a shot from the baseline.
It was a last gasp for the Chiefs while the Bears ran off a 15-3 closing streak highlighting their talents: an unstoppable turnaround jumper from 6-6 Noah Daigle (game-high 21 points), three-pointer and jumper from Sean Fitzpatrick (13 points); back-to-back assisted layups by Daigle; and a 4-for-4 closeout at the line by Andrew Colavecchio and Kahn.
“We ran out of gas,” said Nonnewaug Coach Tim Drakeley.
One key player, Jacob Matta, played sick in the first half and had to sit out the second, but Drakeley gave Thomaston credit.
“They’re good on the boards and they double-teamed our pick and roll,” he said.
“We have so much potential as a team,” said Daigle, a senior.
“We’re at our best when we move the ball, box out and run,” said Kahn.
“And when we share the ball,” Daigle added.
“Doing what we do for 32 minutes is the key,” said Thomaston Coach AJ Bunel, citing big-game losses thanks to a winning run by the Bears’ opponent.
Thursday, Nonnewaug forward Jey Herman had a huge third quarter, scoring six of his team-high 10 points, but it was just enough to keep the Chiefs in the game.
This time, Thomaston unloaded all its potential with the run.
Thomaston 59, Nonnewaug 45
At Thomaston High School
Nonnewaug 12 10 15 8 – 45
Thomaston 8 16 16 19 – 59
Nonnewaug (45): Nate Firlings 3-1-7; Jacob Matta 2-0-4; Ryan Cleary 3-0-8; JD Gergenbach 4-0-8; Jey Herman 5-0-10; Jarrett Michaels 3-2-6; Jacob Firlings 0-0-0; Noah Winslow 1-0-2; Jason Porcelli 0-0-0; Totals: 21-1-45
Thomaston (59): Austin Frank 1-0-2; Jon Wilson 1-1-3; Sean Fitzpatrick 5-1-13; Evan Butkevicius 0-0-0; Isaac Yaffe 0-0-0; Noah Daigle 10-1-21; Drew Colavecchio 0-2-2; Jared Kahn 6-5-18;Brandon Epps 0-0-0; Guy Spina 0-0-0; Devan Donofrio 0-0-0; Totals: 23-10-59.
Halftime score: 24-22 Thomaston
3-point goals: N – Cleary 2. T – Butkevicius 2; Kahn.
Records: Nonnewaug 5-6 overall, 5-5 Berkshire League; Thomaston 6-5 overall, 5-4 Berkshire League.
