Mansfield boys maul Brockton

The ability to adjust the offensive game plan at halftime, in order to expose noticeable weaknesses in an opponent’s defense, is what makes Mansfield one of the top boys basketball teams in the state.

Case in point was yesterday’s nonleague game with visiting Brockton.

The Hornets let the Boxers hang around for two quarters, leading only by five points at the break, but in the second half Mansfield dominated every inch of the court by using backdoor screens to outscore Brockton by 20 on the way to a commanding 66-41 victory.

“We have been a team that has come out and started really slow, but in the third quarter we are outscoring our opponents by about 18 points,” said Hornets coach Mike Vaughn, whose team improved to 13-1. “It has a lot to do with coming out and making some minor adjustments, but the kids are also making plays. They know where they can pick their spots and do some damage.”

Against the Boxers (8-4), sophomore Brendan Hill (23 points) was a differencemaker. Hill poured in 10 firsthalf points before going off for 13 after the break, capping his night with a two-handed slam in the final minute. Fellow sophomores Mike Boen (six points, seven rebounds) and Ryan Boulter (10 points) were also factors, as was senior Greg Romanko, who finished with 12 points and six rebounds.

Nisre Zouzoua scored 10 points for Brockton, and Jaylen Blakely had nine.

Mike Gelineau had 21 points and Garrett Stanowicz added 12 as Waltham (102) handed St. John’s Prep (121) its first loss of the season in a nonleague affair.

Girls hockey

Jade Moore scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help Cathedral (59) fight past Marian, 40-36, in a Catholic Central League game.

Shannon McAnulty scored 16 points to lead Mount Alvernia (7-6) past Rockport, 47-34.