The Danvers High buoys basketball team may finally be capturing the mojo it will need to finish the regular season strong and make an impact in the post-season.
Hosting a supposedly respectable 7-7 Malden squad from the Greater Boston League Wednesday night in the DHS field house, the now 14-0 Falcons ran roughshod over the visitors while posting a 79-40 blowout victory.
And they did it playing arguably their best game of there season, unquestionably with their finest first half of the year. Displaying the the formidable strengths they will need to defeat upcoming foes Rockland, Woburn, Marblehead and Lynn English, the Falcons played a near-perfect first two quarters, resulting in a 48-10 intermission advantage.
Yes, Malden played far below its potential, but it looked from here as if the Falcons made the Golden Tornado play horribly at both ends.
The Danvers offense was in high gear from the start, ignited by the unstoppable inside-outside punch from Devan Harris (20 points) and Vinny Clifford (15 points on 5-for-10 three-point shooting, 2-for-2 in the first 2 minutes). It was 12-2 midway through the first quarter and it only got better for the Falcons after that.
It was 22-7 after one. By halftime the Falcons’ suffocating defense had led to 13 Malden turnovers to Danvers’ one. The Falcons looked good in every phase of the game. In his new sixth man role, Rashad Francois hit consecutive threes in the first half and finished with 10 points.
It appears coach John Walsh has installed junior Mike Nestor, who has been the first sub off the bench, into the starting lineup to try and jumpstart his two-way potential. Tre Crittendon continues as the first guard reserve, usually replacing starting point guard Devonn Allen.
After a 14-0 start, second-best in school history to the 18-0 start of the 2012-2013 repeat Division 3 state championship squad, the Falcons play at Swampscott Friday then at non-league foe Rockland Monday before hosting Gloucester Tuesday and playing at Marblehead Thursday.
The Woburn Invitational follows February 14 and 15 (versus Woburn Saturday, then versus either Bishop Feehan or Malden Catholic Sunday), with the regular season concluding Wednesday the 18th at Lynn English. Several tough tests expected from this group, including Rockland and Marblehead.