3…2…1…and off goes the buzzer! The crowd jumps to its feet and runs onto the court to congratulate the hard-working players. The Watertown Raider fans are covered in red and black to support the boys’ basketball team.

Throughout Friday’s Division 3 North boys’ basketball game against Saugus, you could hear cowbells, shouts of support, clapping, and the pitter patter of children running around the WHS gym. Watertown scored early and often on a trailblazing path that would lead them to victory. Throughout the  game, the team worked hard to prove that they were worthy of advancing in the tournament.

In the end, the Raiders’ work paid off as the they beat the visiting Sachems, 79-45.

“I am very happy how we played, especially on defense,” said Raiders coach Steve Harrington. ” I am happy that the seniors got a chance to have their last home game be such a memorable one.”

The team worked in harmony, making passes, racking up points, and taking the ball away from Saugus.  By halftime, Watertown led, 36-16. Senior T.J. Hairston ended up with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and junior Mike Hagopian added another 19 points. Senior Kevin DiPietrantonio sank 3-pointers throughout the game and finished with 15 points, and senior Cesar Fulcar had 8 points, 7 assists, and 7 steals. Sophomore Brendan Hoban chipped in with 12 points and five assists.

The players didn’t doubt that they would put on an excellent performance Friday night and neither did the crowd. While the players focused on winning on the court, the fans on winning in the bleachers. Watertown and Sagus fans bantered back and forth over which team was best and who would win.

Watertown (16-5) will next play Bedford (7-15), which advanced by beating Minuteman, 74-69. Site and time of the game will be announced later.

–March 1, 2014–