Rochester Boys Over Concord
By Liam McKinley

If you missed the game between the Rochester and Concord boys’ basketball teams, it’s a shame, because it was one of Rochester’s best games in the school’s history. The thing that great basketball players such as MJ, Magic, Kareem, and Bird, all have in common is the ability to inspire their team and battle back to find a way to win. Brian Dunbar showed those qualities and stepped into the ranks of Rochester greats during this game.

From start to finish, both teams fought to find some kind of advantage over their opponent. With time running out in regulation, the game was tied, Concord fouled point guard Dunbar and the Rockets had a chance to take a two point lead. The entire gym was completely silent as Brian hit his first and then the second to give Rochester the lead with seconds remaining. With only 10 seconds on the clock Concord sunk a lay-up to retie the game. Concord then stole the ball on Rochester’s inbound pass, drove to the hoop and out of nowhere came Dunbar who blocked the shot from behind. The game remained tied and headed into overtime.

Once again Dunbar delivered, hitting a three to tie at the end of the first OT and sinking three clutch free throws. The Rockets were able to get some key baskets and defensive stops to finally win the game in the second overtime period. Dunbar delivered the clutch performance of the season as he knocked down all the critical shots and was 10-13 from the line.

Rochester’s three seniors combined for 70 of the team’s 90 points as Brian Dunbar poured in a career high 30; Lucas Pelletier added 24 and Dusty Roberts chipped in with 16. Ben Arsenault led Concord with 25. The Rockets showed great composure, determination, and heart. Some onlookers wrote them off in the first half when they were down by 11 and again after Roberts and Taylor Fuller fouled out, but they battled back and delivered one of the great games in Rockets history. The final score was 90-83 Rochester.