Chelsea Chargers To Win Vs. TSA

Chelsea Chargers To Win Vs. TSA

By Laurie-Jean B. Gauthier

Last Friday in Sharon, the Phoenix and the Chelsea Red Devils faced each other for the second time this season. For the second time, a ferocious fourth quarter output by Chelsea made the difference, in their favor this time. Earlier TSA defeated Chelsea on the road, 44-42. Sharon led this second game until 1:11 remained, when Chelsea took their first lead of the game and never looked back.

TSA’s Otto Pierce’s six points in the first period took care of all Chelsea’s six points as Sharon moved to an eight-point edge after one quarter, 14-6.

The scoring was tighter in the second frame as TSA netted five baskets and the Red Devils nabbed four, but Sharon still remained ahead, entering the break 24-14. Both Michael Young-Ward and Michael Landry scored two hoops and Evan Frank scored one for TSA, while Jim Welch had a string of three hoops and Mike Ryan made the remaining hoop for Chelsea.

After the third quarter, the Phoenix remained up 35-25, as Welch was sizzling, accounting for ten of Chelsea’s 11 points.

In the fourth, Chelsea whittled the lead down right at the start. A three-pointer by Chase Lawrence was followed by back-to-back points off two free tosses and a hoop by Travis Giles for a score of 35-32.

Frank went 1-of-2 for TSA on the next possession. Chelsea’s Luke Amber and Welch added a hoop and a freebie to come within one at 3:39. Pope added one, keeping the Phoenix up 27-35.

Chelsea’s Andrew Richardson went to the line and had the chance to tie the game, but came up short, going 1-of-2 with 1:59 remaining. Just 48 seconds later, Richardson did tie the game, giving the Red Devils their first lead of the game, going 2-for-2. Two more charity tosses by Richardson followed, as well as one free toss by Welch, which gave Chelsea 41 points. A final Frank basket put TSA at 39—this time, two points less than their guests.

Red Devil Welch led all scorers with 20 points followed by Sharon’s Pope with nine points, which included two three-pointers, and Young-Ward with eight. Both Chelsea’s Richardson and TSA’s Frank finished with seven points.

Richardson, who was called for a technical in the second period for "foul language," managed to gain control of his anger and helped his team earn the victory from the "foul line." How appropriate.