Next stop: TD Garden

Watertown boys’ basketball team to play Cardinal Spellman Tuesday at 4 p.m. for the Division 3 EMass title

Sahar Khan, Raider Times staff|March 10, 2014

Raider Times photo / Walter Morris

The Watertown High boys’ basketball team celebrates its Division 3 North title after defeating Stoneham, 48-34, on Saturday, March 8, at Tsongas Center in Lowell.

The Watertown boys’ basketball team defeated Middlesex League rival Stoneham, 48-34, to win the Division 3 North title at the Tsongas Center on Saturday.

The Raiders (18-5) move on to play Cardinal Spellman (20-4), the South champions on Tuesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. at TD Garden.

Senior captain and point guard Cesar Fulcar took great pride in leading the team to such a victory. Fulcar’s confidence and ability to make decisions has led them to the Raiders’ success.

“He [Fulcar] was our floor general, as he has been all year,” said Watertown coach Steve Harrington.

Fulcar finished the game with 15 points.

“I give everything I’ve got into every game, making sure my teammates know the plays and are making smart decisions,” said Fulcar. “We all want to win really badly and working together is how we can.”

Stoneham had Watertown’s offense in check in the first quarter, and the Raiders only had an 11-10 lead. But Fulcar and sophomore Brendan Hoban (13 points) were a dual power. By halftime the Raiders were leading 27-14, and 42-22 by the end of the third quarter.

There was no hope for Stoneham toward the end of the third quarter. Fulcar and senior Kevin DiPietrantonio were making amazing passes and 3-pointers.

Some predicted Watertown would win, considering the regular-season matchups against Stoneham, 61-32 Jan. 10, and 72-40 Feb. 7.

“Stoneham has improved a lot and you never know about these kinds of things,” said Fulcar.

Watertown seniors remember the last time they played at the TD Garden in 2011 when the Raiders beat Cardinal Spellman, 56-36, to advance to the state title game.

(Tickets for high school basketball at TD Garden are $10.95 presale through Ticketmaster; $15 at the door.)

–March 10, 2014–