The Wareham boys varsity team began defense of their 2010 Division 3 state championship in the same way they ended last season - with a win.  But in the third meeting this year between the Wareham Vikings and Apponequet Regional High Lakers it took last minute free throws to seal the rubber game for the Vikings.

It was a game of spurts, stumbles, and occasional spectacular plays.  Playing their worst opening quarter of the year offensively, Wareham somehow came away at the first break leading by one, 11-10.  The Vikings were as cold as this season's winter, but their tenacious defense kept them in the game while they struggled to make even free throws.

In the second quarter, Wareham opened a small 18-14 lead half-way through the period, only to see the Lakers storm back to take a 27-22 lead at the half.  Apponequet used the strong inside play of junior 6'6" center Jordan Goetz and outside shooting of sophomore guard Eric Cuoto to earn the lead.  The Laker lead would have been larger were it not for the ball-hawking defense of the entire Wareham team during the period.

The Vikings came out of the halftime break finally combining strong defense with good shooting.  They outscored the the Lakers by eleven, to take a 49-42 lead.  Sophomore Darrien Fernandes scored 8 of his 16 points in the quarter, and continually forced the Lakers back on their heels with hard drives to the basket.  Senior guard Dwight Senna added 7 points in the quarter, including two three-pointers.

But the Vikings stumbled in the final quarter and the Lakers surged back to take a 55-53 lead with 3:09 left in the game.  With the game hanging in the balance, Wareham came back to take a fragile 62-59 lead from the free throw line, where they shot only 55% for the game.  But they were able to make just enough at the end, and held on to secure the hard-fought 66-62 win.

Darrien Fernandes led the Vikings with 16 points, followed by Aaron Baptiste with 12 and Sheldon Frye with 11.  The Lakers were led by Eric Couto with 19 and Jordan Goetz with 17.

Commenting after the game Coach Kevin Brogioli could only say "I liked the final score".

The boys will next play #2 seeded Martha's Vineyard at Martha's Vineyard on Friday, March 4 at 7:00.  The Vineyarders defeated Norwell on Wednesday.