SPRINGFIELD – The Brewster Academy roster is filled with future Division I stars, and Sunday’s 88-57 rout of South Kent (Conn.) School at the Hoophall Classic was proof of its potency.
The duo of Syracuse-bound juniors Chris McCullough and Ron Patterson set Blake Arena on fire with a first-half flurry. McCullough led the game with 21 points while Patterson chipped in six loud points and five boards for the Bobcats from New Hampshire, who owned a 48-27 advantage at the half.
“We just try to jump on them quick, grab the momentum and start them off with defense and offense,” Patterson said.
Kevin Zabo chipped in 16 points and five rebounds, while West Virginia-bound Elijah Macon added 12 points.
Strangely, though, the Bobcats hit their stride with their two biggest talents on the sideline.
Trailing 7-6 just 4:45 into the game, Brewster had McCullough and Patterson on the bench. By the time the duo returned 2:23 later, their team owned a 13-7 lead and was primed for some future-Orange fireworks.
Syracuse commit Chris McCullough preps for his team's game against South Kent Sunday at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield.
The twosome did not disappoint.
McCullough started the show with a right-handed tomahawk dunk off a South Kent turnover less than a minute into his return. On the next possession, Patterson followed with a two-handed slam after yet another turnover. McCullough completed the dunkfest moments later, and Brewster held a convincing 21-7 lead.
“If I’m going to dunk, I’m going to dunk hard. I’m hoping to get my team hyped, and get everyone hyped in the building,” McCullough said.
That attack approach served Brewster throughout, as the Bobcats went 21-23 from the free-throw line (91.3 percent), where the Cardinals shot just 57.1.
“We try to keep pushing at them, and that’s our mentality,” Patterson said. “We don’t take plays off, no matter what the score is.”
Kamall Richards led South Kent with 14 points and eight rebounds, while teammate Reggie Agbeko was a monster on the glass, posting a game-high 16.