Tilton Academy Boys' Basketball takes 2008 Class B Championship

The Tilton Rams beat Marianapolis Prep on March 2, 2008 73-62 to win the NEPSAC Class-B Championship. Tilton students, alumni, teachers, adminstrators and parents gathered at the Post Center, Endicott College's gymnasium for the championship game against Marianapolis. The teams split games in the regular season, while Marianapolis knocked Tilton out of the tournament last year. The game lived up to the recently developed rivalry. Early on, Tilton used the press to help build a 19-10 lead. Marianapolis responded down only one point 25-24 at halftime.

The second half was back and forth affair and Marianapolis had the game tied at 55 heading down the stretch as they responded to every Tilton attempt to put the game out of reach. In the last five minutes Jamal Coombs-McDaniel forced his will on the game, hitting a pair of critical three pointers and Dominic Scurry made plays getting to the rim, hitting a pullup and dumping one down to Oriakhi for one of his many thunderous dunks. With less than two minutes to go Dave Aquilino nailed a three pointer while being fouled. He stepped to the line and slammed the door shut with his four point play as the Rams were able to win the last five minutes 18-7, securing the 2008 Class B crown.

Coombs-McDaniel secured the MVP award for the game as he finished with 29pts, 16rebs and 2assists. Dave Aquilino worked around the arc effectively, scoring 18 points, including 5 from downtown. Patrolling the paint as usual was Alex Oriakhi who demonstrated why he is considered among the best post prospects in the country, scoring 15, grabbing 14 rebounds and rejecting 4 shots. Dominic Scurry had a very strong game with 9 points and 4 assists, while doing an excellent job guarding point guard Corey Wright for most of the game. Jamal Turner was the front line of both the offensive and defensive attack, keeping Marianapolis standout Mike Myers Keitt from reaching double figures; meanwhile, he distributed 6 assists.

The Championship is Tilton's second of the decade, the first one coming in 2004. The Rams finished the season 21-10, playing one of New England's toughest schedule, as the only team that can boast that they played every Class A, B and C team that competed for a championship in 2008.

The Tilton Rams were able to win the last five minutes 18-7, securing the 2008 Class B crown.

Published: 03/08/2008


TILTON ACADEMY BOYS' BASKETBALL TAKES 2008 CLASS B CHAMPIONSHIP The Tilton Rams were able to win the last five minutes 18-7, securing the 2008 Class B crown. Published: 03/08/2008 The Tilton Rams beat Marianapolis Prep on March 2, 2008 73-62 to win the NEPSAC Class-B Championship. Tilton students, alumni, teachers, adminstrators and parents gathered at the Post Center, Endicott College's gymnasium for the championship game against Marianapolis. The teams split games in the regular season, while Marianapolis knocked Tilton out of the tournament last year. The game lived up to the recently developed rivalry. Early on, Tilton used the press to help build a 19-10 lead. Marianapolis responded down only one point 25-24 at halftime. The second half was back and forth affair and Marianapolis had the game tied at 55 heading down the stretch as they responded to every Tilton attempt to put the game out of reach. In the last five minutes Jamal Coombs-McDaniel forced his will on the game, hitting a pair of critical three pointers and Dominic Scurry made plays getting to the rim, hitting a pullup and dumping one down to Oriakhi for one of his many thunderous dunks. With less than two minutes to go Dave Aquilino nailed a three pointer while being fouled. He stepped to the line and slammed the door shut with his four point play as the Rams were able to win the last five minutes 18-7, securing the 2008 Class B crown. Coombs-McDaniel secured the MVP award for the game as he finished with 29pts, 16rebs and 2assists. Dave Aquilino worked around the arc effectively, scoring 18 points, including 5 from downtown. Patrolling the paint as usual was Alex Oriakhi who demonstrated why he is considered among the best post prospects in the country, scoring 15, grabbing 14 rebounds and rejecting 4 shots. Dominic Scurry had a very strong game with 9 points and 4 assists, while doing an excellent job guarding point guard Corey Wright for most of the game. Jamal Turner was the front line of both the offensive and defensive attack, keeping Marianapolis standout Mike Myers Keitt from reaching double figures; meanwhile, he distributed 6 assists. The Championship is Tilton's second of the decade, the first one coming in 2004. The Rams finished the season 21-10, playing one of New England's toughest schedule, as the only team that can boast that they played every Class A, B and C team that competed for a championship in 2008.
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