Grant, Whittier take down Newburyport to earn trip to semifinals

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March 2, 2013

Grant, Whittier take down Newburyport to earn trip to semifinals

By Jim Sullivan sports@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Sat Mar 02, 2013, 07:21 AM EST

HAVERHILL — There was no time for rest, but Whittier’s Ryan Grant wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Playing every minute of the game, along with his four fellow starters, Grant dominated with 25 points as the No. 3 Wildcats rolled past No. 6 Newburyport 55-37 in the Division 3 North quarterfinals.

With the victory, Whittier moves on to face the winner of today’s matchup between No. 2 Danvers and No. 7 Minuteman.

“I had some serious butterflies about tonight’s game,” said Whittier coach Tom Sipsey. “I’m glad it’s over and that we’re fortunate enough to move on.”

Grant once again sparked the Wildcats with his game-high point total. High-flying senior Justin Reyes chipped in with 18 points, including two 3-pointers and a pair of hoops that led an 11-0 first quarter run.

Whittier played just five players for the game, as Nate Frongillo, Andrew Wells and Jaylin Deveau each chipped in with key contributions for the winners.

The Wildcats will now have to wait and see who will be their next opponent. They did not face Danvers (19-2) — which dispatched of Greater Lawrence in the first round — in the regular season. Whittier did face Minuteman, which resulted in a 91-64 Wildcats blowout.

“I can’t wait to be able to practice again with my seniors and my group,” Sipsey said. “We have a huge challenge ahead of us and I think it’s another step for us.”

agateHed:Whittier 55, Newburyport 37

agateText:Division 3 North Quarterfinals

Newburyport (37):@zzAgate:agateText: Michaels 3-0-8, Fontaine 3-3-9, Guthro 2-4-8, Traxler 1-0-2, D. Barlbeault 3-0-8, Canning 1-0-2. Totals 13-7-37

agateText:Whittier (55):@zzAgate:agateText: Ryan Grant 8-8-25, Nate Frongillo 1-0-2, Andrew Wells 3-0-8, Justin Reyes 7-2-18, Jaylin Deveau 1-0-2. Totals 20-10-55

agateText:3-pointers:@zzAgate:agateText: W — Grant, Wells 2, Reyes 2; N — Michaels 2, Barlbeault 2

agateText:Newburyport (14-8):@zzAgate:agateText: 8 12 7 10 — 37

agateText:Whittier (21-3):@zzAgate:agateText: 13 13 12 17 — 55