By Bill Gilman
MARLBORO -- Stung by the loss of team leader Ricky Morales to academic difficult, the Fitchburg High boys basketball team struggled before escaping with a 61-57 win over Marlboro High, Tuesday night.
Morales, who had been averaging 23.0 points per game, stood near the stands and watched nervously as his teammates nearly blew a 12-point halftime lead to the Panthers.
"Ricky Morales has been placed on academic suspension and he won't be back until he improves in the classroom," said Fitchburg coach Doug Grutchfield, who stressed that this was not an MIAA-mandated suspension, which occurs when a student-athlete fails two courses in one marking period and must sit out the entire next marking period. Instead it was a school decision based on the best interests of Morales and the team.
"This was my decision. He's got to get things together. It's up to him, now," said Grutchfield.
Morales had no comment except to acknowledge that it was difficult to watch his teammates battle down the stretch in a close game.
There were mixed emotions from senior Tito Morales, Ricky's brother and leader in the Red Raider locker room. "While he's gone, everybody's got to step up and give a little more," he said. "We're just going to go out and give it all we've got."
The loss of Ricky Morales' offensive firepower was evident immediately against Marlboro. The Red Raiders (11-0 overall, 7-0 Mid-Wach A) were able to build a 32-20 halftime lead, but were unable to put the pesky Panthers away in the second half. Instead, Marlboro chipped away.
Kevin Keenan (15 points) tuck a 12-foot jumper to put Fitchburg up, 57-45 with 3:00 to play. But it was the Red Raiders' last field goal. Brian Williams' inside bucket started an 11-3 run by Marlboro. Jon Collins and Ken Robbins keyed the run, which chopped Fitchburg's lead to 59-56 with 30 seconds left.
The only Fitchburg basket during the stretch came from Tito Morales, who picked off the rebound of a Josue Negron free throw miss and put it back off the glass to put FHS up 59-51.
But Marlboro wasn't quite done. A three-pointer by Jon Collins and a layup off an offensive rebound by Ken Robbins made it 59-56. Free throws, a problem much of the game, nearly cost the Red Raiders the win. But with the game on the line, Negron and Ray Gonzales each made 1-of-2 free throws to seal the victory.
"This was our first game that was close, so the free throws mattered," said Grutchfield.