After a close first half game, the Wareham Vikings boys basketball team lost to the Bishop Stang Spartans in the Div. 3 South quarterfinals.

The second round game at Taunton High School between the No. 10 Vikings and No. 2 Spartans was close knit the first quarter. In the first quarter the Vikings went almost shot for shot with the Spartans. Wareham managed to grab 14 points to Stang’s 15. The second quarter saw Wareham take a six point lead before halftime. The Vikings ended the first half 34-28.

As the team returned for the second half Wareham found itself being out shot by Bishop Stang, only making 14 points in the third quarter and 11 in the fourth quarter. Three Wareham players lead the team with double-digit points. Senior guard Jamual Sims lead the team with 19 points. He was followed by Taylor Carlson and Captain Dominic Mello, who had 15 and 12 respectively.

Mello said the Vikings just couldn’t keep up its momentum.

“We didn’t match their energy coming out into the second half and next thing you know it was a tied game,” Mello said.

Although Wareham lost, Mello said he was very proud of how far the team went this year.

Head Coach Steve Faniel said the second half really came down to Bishop Stang being more aggressive on rebounds and using their second-chance opportunities wisely.

“I thought we we played hard,” Faniel said. “I thought we gave it a lot of effort. I think in the second half [the Spartans] were able to get some offensive rebounds and put them in and get some second opportunities. I think our kids played hard. [Bishop Stang] just executed a little bit better then we did at the end.”

However, frustration and tears could be seen from some of the players as the final seconds ran down on the clock. One senior on the team was embraced by Faniel, who said he reminded the player of just how great of a season he had overall.

Mello was one player who took the loss hard. He didn’t feel he played up to his own standards.

“I don’t feel like I helped my team the way I could’ve tonight,” Mello said. “Everybody has off shooting nights and I had mine on the wrong night.”

The preparation for next season has already begun for some Wareham players. Mello in particular said he will be back in the gym tomorrow working on his game. Faniel said next year everyone on the team will be looking to improve overall.

“We’re not where we want to be,” Faniel said. “Everyone’s got to get a little bit better, so that next time we get in this situation we execute a little better, we get little bit bigger, we get a little bit strong and we get a little better.”

Bishop Stang will move on to the next round of the Div. 3 South playoffs to face No. 3 ranked Burke in the section semi-finals on March 6.