MANCHESTER, NH — Senior Logan O’Connell poured in a game-high 20 points, leading Bedford High to a 62-30 rout of Memorial, Friday night.
Bedford (6-0), winners of two of the last three Division I state titles, showed why it’s considered a favorite to reach the final once again. The Bulldogs dominated at both ends of the floor and blew the game open by outscoring Memorial, 38-14 over the second and third quarters.
”I guess we did what we had done in the Christmas Tournament. We got stagnant and we didn’t score in the second quarter,” said Memorial Head Coach Danny Bryson. “And then, I think (Bedford) got more points in transition than we got overall.”
Establishing a consistent and cohesive offense has been a challenge for Memorial through the first third of the season. The Crusaders have scored more than 50 points just twice in their first six games. They’ve scored 30 or less twice.
Against Bedford, guard Dylan Jolicoeur led Memorial with eight points.
Memorial (3-3) enjoyed some success driving the lane against Bedford’s aggressive defense. But the Bulldogs began clogging the lane and daring the Crusaders to shoot from the perimeter. But Memorial’s jump-shooting game was non-existent and it went 0-for-8 on three-point tries.
Memorial came out matching Bedford’s defensive intensity and was able to keep the game close (8-8) through the first quarter.
But Bedford shook off its slow start and took control with a 9-0 run to start the second quarter. Ewa Edokpolo (four points, three rebs.) stopped the bleeding temporary with a strong driving layup. But Bedford went on another 9-2 run to push its lead 26-12.
By halftime, it was 30-14.
Luke O’Connell added 11 points for Bedford. Landon Ellsmore chipped in with eight points and eight rebounds.
One of Memorial’s biggest problems was stopping Bedford into transition. The Bulldogs enjoyed a 37-23 edge in rebounding, led by sophomore center Ryan O’Rourke (8 points, 12 rebs.). Several times, defensive rebounds led to long outlet passes and easy layups for Bedford guards who had snuck behind the Memorial defense.
Bedford poured it on in the third quarter, pushing the lead to 46-22.
”They just out-scrapped us, they outworked us,” said Bryson. “They came out in that third quarter with the same energy level and we looked flat. That doesn’t work against a team like Bedford.”
Memorial will look to get back on the winning track when they play host to Concord, Tuesday at 7 pm.