Sophomore forward Ryan Kennedy goes up for a layup. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

The Bromfield boys varsity basketball team came out on top at home against Ayer on Tuesday, Jan. 3, with a score of 63-43. Teamwork and few turnovers made it one of the boys' best games so far this season.

Bromfield's starting line-up, made up of guard Trevor Granville, forward Ryan Kennedy, center Sam Shepherd, forward Matt Griffin, and guard Brian McCullough, scored 11 points without their opponents scoring any before a time out was called by Ayer only three and a half minutes into the first quarter.

"We definitely started out fast," said senior co-captain Shepherd. "We were prepared and ready to win the game."

Senior co-captain McCullough led the team offensively in the first quarter with nine points while his team collectively racked up 13 rebounds and three steals in the first quarter. The Trojans headed into the second quarter with a substantial lead of 22-9.

Although Ayer stepped up its defense in the second quarter, nothing could stop Bromfield's offense. Bromfield scored 21 points while Ayer scored five, resulting in a score of 43-14 at half. Off the bench, senior Hunter Siegrist and junior James Authier each scored two points.

"It was the best half I've seen the boys play in years," said Bromfield coach Tom Hill. "We had great offense and great defense. Everything clicked and it was just great."

Granville demonstrated strong play both offensively and defensively, impressing his teammates as well as his coach. He scored seven points in the first and second quarters.

"Trevor is playing well," Hill said. "He scored a shot that I don't think some of the best basketball players I have had could make."

Bromfield came out as strong in the second half as they had at the beginning of the game. McCullough immediately stole the ball from his opponents, followed by Griffin sinking a jump shot. Granville scored a three-point shot and on the next play was fouled but finished strong by making both free-throw shots. Ayer came out strong offensively in the beginning of the fourth quarter but was met by Bromfield's tight defense and by McCullough and Shepherd each making a basket right at the beginning of the quarter.

Granville scored 19 points, McCullough had 19, and Shepherd finished with 12.

"About 60 percent of our shots are being taken by our guards," Hill said. "We need to run some more plays to get more shots closer to the basket."

"I'm extremely pleased with the game's outcome, and even more so in the preparation leading up to it," Shepherd said. "I give the roster a lot of credit for the hard work they dedicated over break."

The Bromfield boys varsity basketball team holds a record of three wins and three losses, facing off next against Tahanto on Friday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. at Bromfield.