The St. Paul boys basketball team embarked on a long bus ride down the Connecticut River valley for a Thursday night nonleague game against Valley Regional.
For those unfamiliar, Valley Regional plays in the Shoreline Conference and went to three straight state championship games from 2013-2015 (including two losses to Sacred Heart).
The Falcons and Warriors engaged in a low-scoring battle, but Ben Bochicchio’s 3-pointer with 7.5 seconds to play gave the visitors a 42-41 victory. A shot from Valley Regional missed and the game ended.
Bochicchio led St. Paul (12-5) with 14 points. Jamie Leggett posted a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds while Mekhi Petteway contributed 10 points and five rebounds. In a game where rebounding was extra important, Erik Suzio pulled down a team-high 12 boards.
St. Paul is at WCA on Saturday for a noon tipoff. The Falcons host Torrington and Haddam-Killingworth next Monday and Wednesday to close the regular season. The NVL tournament begins on Feb. 26.
Photo caption: St. Paul’s Ben Bochicchio hit a 3-pointer with 7.5 seconds left to give his team a 42-41 victory at Valley Regional on Thursday night. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)
