Seekonk Blown Out by Wareham, 101-60

Check out highlights from the game here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYo_PcZTpkI

“Go .500 and make the tournament,” were the expectations of Seekonk head coach Joe Reddington, even after his team’s most recent loss. Seekonk still hopes to make a trip to the postseason, but they are behind the eight ball. The Warriors' record dropped to 0-3 on the season after a lopsided loss at home to the Wareham Vikings.

Wareham, a perennial favorite to win the South Coast Conference, blew Seekonk off its home floor 101-60 on Tuesday night. "We play Wareham twice a year. They're an extremely tough, aggressive team," Reddington said after his team's loss.

Seekonk's Daniel Silva led all scorers with 33 points. Silva hit five times from distance, including a three late in the second half from at least five feet behind the arc. Silva also made some impressive defensive plays, including rejecting a shot from the lane by Wareham’s Quintin Silveira (who stands either 6’6” or 6’7” depending on who you ask). No other Warriors scored in double figures on the evening. Darien Fernandez, the newest member of Wareham's 1,000-point club and an outstanding all-around player, scored 23 points despite sitting nearly the entire third quarter.

The Warriors kept pace for most of the first half, but unraveled as the half drew to a close. By halftime, the Wareham lead was up to 24. As the game slipped further away, Seekonk appeared to lose focus, and the quality of execution slipped. The gap increased to produce a 101-60 final.

“Those are very tough matchups for us. We can’t matchup 6’5” 6’7” and 6’3” off the bench,” said Reddington, alluding to his team’s severe size disadvantage. Although the Warriors were badly undersized in the game, they were also beaten in transition throughout the evening.

“You know, the heads go down when you’re down 30 points, and it’s not easy. But they are playing hard and they’re not giving up, and that’s all we’re asking,” said Reddington of his team’s composure in a blowout.

While continued effort is admirable, Seekonk coaches and players still believe they can make the postseason, which will require much better results. With 17 games to play, the 0-3 Warriors will need to finish 10-7 at worst. That final stretch includes a trip to Wareham High, which promises not to be any easier than their most recent meeting with the Vikings. Remaining games also include rematches at Seekonk with Whitman-Hanson and Somerset, who beat Seekonk on the road already this season.

Seekonk will need to improve down the stretch if they are to win 10 of their last 17. “We have some young guys and they’re learning fast, night in and night out,” says Reddington as to why his team can make the tournament.