WEST CANAAN — With only one win separating four teams in the NHIAA Division III boys basketball playoff race, Mascoma High earned a much- needed win over visiting Newport, 84-44, on its senior night on Tuesday evening to clinch a spot in the postseason.
The Royals (9-8), who have won five out of their last seven games, came into the game holding down the 14th and final playoff spot. Mascoma still has some room to move as high as the 11th seed, but will need to win its final matchup of the season on the road at fifth-place Campbell to do so.
The game began with tight back-and-fourth action, as both teams came out of the gates fired up. But, it was the Royals who held a 14-12 lead by the end of the quarter.
The second quarter was when Mascoma first really took control of the game and its playoff fate, going on a 28-7 run to take a commanding 42-19 lead into halftime. The Royals never looked back en route to setting a season-high for points.
Mascoma captain Dakota Decocq, one of two seniors honored before Tuesday’s game, was thrilled to get a win and to see some of the underclassmen earn some minutes as well.
“It feels good to win on senior night,” Decocq said. “But I really liked seeing the younger guys get in and drop some buckets.”
Decocq led the Royals with 13 points, tied with junior teammate Hunter Caldwell, who netted a season high.
Co-captain and fellow senior Caleb McAlister, who scored 12, was happy the Royals ended their final home game on a high note heading into their regular-season final on Friday at Campbell.
“It is awesome to end the season on a home game like that where we scored the most points we have scored all year,” McAlister said. “I think that is pretty huge for us.”
But the win did not distract the seniors from the tough road ahead. They know to make a push in playoffs the team must give it their all night in and night out.
“It is 100 percent every play, all the time,” McAllister said. “That is what we have to do if we want to make it far into the playoffs.”
Joey Ackerman led Newport with 19 points, followed by J.T. Blaine with 18.
The Tigers (2-15) will play their final game of the season on Friday at Hopkinton.