Brodeur, Morotti score 40 points as Wildcats demolish Avon 59-40

Photos and story by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.
Posted 1/31/23

Hunter Brodeur scored 21 points and Max Morotti netted 19 as the Westport basketball team pasted Avon 59-40 in a MAC league home game on Friday night. The Wildcats have won four straight and seven of …

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Brodeur, Morotti score 40 points as Wildcats demolish Avon 59-40

Posted

Hunter Brodeur scored 21 points and Max Morotti netted 19 as the Westport basketball team pasted Avon 59-40 in a MAC league home game on Friday night. The Wildcats have won four straight and seven of their last eight as they improved their record to 9-3. Last week, Westport also beat Atlantis Charter School 66-62 on Monday and Holbrook 74-57 on Wednesday. 

“We are getting our legs,” said Westport head coach Scot Boudria. “It usually takes about half a season, with all of the pressure that we give, to gain enough strength in your legs, where you can take outside shots in the third and fourth quarter and be successful.”

Brodeur who had trouble scoring earlier in the season, has been terrific during the winning streak. The senior guard scored 27 against Atlantis and 23 vs Avon. Most of the points have been scored off the fast break that came from Wildcats' steals. Not many opponents can run the with the lightning-quick Brodeur as he races down the court for an easy layup. He also has a quick first step to the basket and can drive to the hoop even when double-teamed. Brodeur has also found his groove from the 3-point line with six 3-pointers in the last three games. 

“I have been feeling good from the start of the game,” said Brodeur. “Before I felt like I needed to make a couple shots to get going, now I feel like I’m starting the game hot.”

Morotti has also caught fire. The senior forward sank five 3-pointers for 15 of his 19 points during the Avon victory. His fierce inside play and rebounding have been instrumental to the Wildcats this season. 

“Max can’t miss,” said Brodeur of Morotti. “He is one of the best shooters on the team. He puts in a lot of work at practice.” 

“I’m just letting it go with confidence,” added Morotti. “This year I’m more mentally ready. It’s about using my body going against the big guys.” 

“Max is becoming a complete player," Coach Boudria said. "He’s good at shooting the ball and good at rebounding, now he’s starting to learn defensive switches. We are going to need him to be a complete player, if we are going to have a chance at going deep at states.”

Senior Ben Boudria netted 11 points with three 3-pointers, before colliding with a Falcon at mid-court early in the second half. He was carried off the floor and iced his knee while sitting on the bench for the rest of the game. His brother, Owen was also out with a hamstring injury. 

Senior forward Coltrane McGonigle scored 4 points in the fourth quarter and senior guard Cam Leary scored 4 points in the first half. Both players gave the Falcons fits while pressing on defense. McGonigle is developing into a strong defensive player as he guarded Avon’s Kenzel Jean Michel most of the game. 

"Coltrane has been playing a lot of minutes,” said Coach Boudria. “He’s a great athlete. On defense, we had him on Avon’s best player. He moves his feet well when covering players one-on-one. He’s becoming an Important piece to our team.” 

Coach Boudria also credited bench players, Chris Duarte and Anthony Raposa for playing well defensively. He also likes the fact that the Wildcats have been shooting better as a team. 

“I’m glad to see our free throw and field goal percentages increase,” said Coach Boudria. “It’s my job to know when to work them hard in practice and work them smart in practice and learning new techniques instead of just running, running, running.”

The injury bug is starting to take its toll on Westport as Morotti, Ben and Owen Boudria and Leary are all dealing with ailments. 

“It’s good that we are winning games and my bench is getting some time,” Coach Boudria said. “The big question is, can we stay healthy. We aren’t practicing very hard. We are doing other things to help us get better. Hopefully it will pay off and we can make some noise and make a little history.” 

Up next: 

Westport will host Bishop Connolly on Wednesday, 2/1, at 6:30 p.m. and host Bishop Stang on Monday, 2/6, at 6:30 p.m.

 

Westport hoops cruise past Atlantis Charter, Holbrook

The Westport basketball team came back to sink Atlantis Charter School 66-62 on Monday and crushed Holbrook 74-57 on Wednesday to extend their winning streak to three games as they improve their record to 8-3. Senior guard Hunter Brodeur has caught fire of late, scoring 50 points in the last two games. The lightning quick guard scored 23 points, many off the fast break, in a non-league home game against Atlantic Charter and scored 27 points with four 3-pointers in a MAC league game at Holbrook. Owen Boudria has become the scoring threat that the Wildcats needed him to be this season. After breaking out for 23 points during the Wildcats win over rival West Bridgewater last Friday, the tall, sinewy guard scored 21 against Atlantis Charter and 15 versus Holbrook. 

The Wildcats guards took matters into their own hands as Westport trailed the Tritons 35-32 at halftime. Brodeur scored 8 third quarter points and Owen Boudria scored 11, as the Wildcats led 57-40 after three. 

Westport held a 33-26 lead during the Holbrook game and the pair went off in the second half, again. Brodeur scored 16 points with a 3-pointer and Owen Boudria netted 10 with two 3-pointers. 

Ben Boudria, a senior co-captain, has been one of the team’s scrappiest players this season. Boudria scored 7 points against Atlantis and netted 11 versus Holbrook, Cam Leary, also a senior co-captain, scored 4 points against Atlantis and 13 versus Holbrook. 

Coltrane McGonigle continues to improve as he scored 8 points against Atlantis Charter and 6 points versus Holbrook. The soccer star has a ton of raw talent that Coach Boudria has molded into a starting player for the Wildcats this season. 

Max Morotti who has been out the last few games, played sparingly against Holbrook as he sank 3 of 4 free throws for 3 points. 

Next up: Westport hosts Avon at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and hosts Bishop Connolly Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 6:30 p.m.

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