The Chelsea High boys basketball team concluded their championship regular season in style and with a flourish with a 57-54 win over Revere in a non league encounter last Wednesday.
The Red Devils, who will be hanging another Commonwealth Athletic Conference banner in the CHS gym, had dropped the first encounter with their former GBL rival by a fairly decisive 20 point margin.
However, the second time around proved to be another story as both teams battled fiercely up and down the court throughout the game with neither team able to pull away. Revere held slim leads at the halfway and three quarter marks, but Chelsea always was within striking range.
Finally, with about a minute to go, Sammy Mojica, who turned in a great effort with 21 points and who was especially immense in the final quarter, gave Chelsea the lead with a basket. After a Chelsea stop on the defensive end, Revere intentionally fouled Felix Crespo, who sank two clutch free throws with about 30 seconds to play to make it 57-54.
Revere made a desperation try from three point land at the end, but the ball hit the front rim. The Red Devils controlled the rebound and then ran out the clock.
In addition to Mojica’s fine effort. Joseph Rivera hit for 14 points. Crespo made a solid contribution on the scoring chart with nine points, as did Eli Ortiz with eight.
“It was a fast and exciting game by both teams,” said CHS head coach Jay Seigal. “We have a nice rivalry with Revere and both teams played hard.”
The victory gave the Red Devils a final mark of 14-6 on the season, a record that should give Chelsea a sixth or seventh seed in the Division 2 North sectional, which also would mean a home game in the opening round.
“Coming into the season we had some question marks,” noted Jay Seigal. “but I’ve been very pleased by the way this team has come together and played so well. We’ve had a great year and this has been a great group of kids.”