St. Paul boys basketball played its first game in the redone Rev. Brian Monnerat Gymnasium on Thursday night. The Falcons used big second and third quarters to blow away the visiting Woodland Hawks 79-47.
Will Barton scored a couple early baskets for St. Paul (1-2), which used its defense to speed the game up. Jack Noli, Kevin Ashworth and Donavan Symes each took turns stepping into the passing lanes. The steals led to fastbreak baskets, and the Falcons quickly turned a six-point first quarter deficit into a 32-22 halftime lead. Noah Waters also contributed in the 21-point second quarer for St. Paul.
In the third quarter, A.J. Brooks got loose underneath and Woodland (1-2) didn’t have an answer. When Brooks wasn’t muscling his way to a basket, Symes was darting through the defense on quick drives for layups. The St. Paul lead ballooned to 56-35 by the end of the third quarter, and the Falcons kept flying high in the fourth quarter.
St. Paul is off until next Thursday, when it begins play in Farmington’s holiday tournament. The Falcons face Newington on Dec. 27, then play either host Farmington or Tolland on Saturday, Dec. 29.
