Beacon Middle boys’ basketball defeats Chipman

The Beacon Middle School boys’ basketball squad defeated Chipman 45-38 in the Capital Classic Middle School Basketball Tournament at Mariner Middle Feb. 14.

Kayvon Allen and Brody Pedersen led the Vikings with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Tiarnan Hefferan and Dane Robertson each scored eight.

“I couldn't be prouder of eighth-graders who have been putting in work for two to three years now,” said Beacon coach Sean O’Grady. “We had two of our higher-energy players – Owen [Smith] and Finn [Forcucci] – out with sickness. So a kid like Hank [D’Ambrogi] steps in, while scoring no points, but plays great defense, rebounds, breaks the press and inbounds the ball. A kid like Zi [Zi’mere Bolden], who's our leading scorer and doesn't get to start, and yet comes off the bench with great energy and zero attitude. Kayvon, who despite not getting foul calls, kept going to the bucket because he knew our team needed him to be aggressive. Dane [Robertson] who kept us in the game in the first quarter by being aggressive and believing in himself. Tommy [Burn] coming off the bench making the right plays and having a great attitude. Then our bigs, Brody, Sean [Wick] and Tiernan who kept the rebounding, kept attacking the basket and kept finishing. It was just a total team win setup because these kids have put in two weeks of practice and effort. In the five years I've coached Beacon, this is the first year we've had a 10-win team. And it's a direct result of all 16 kids who have put in so much time and committed to getting better.”

Beacon will play in the Texas Roadhouse Championship at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 18, at Lake Forest High School.