JENNIFER ROYALS/Register Citizen Correspondent

Here are my final thoughts from Wednesday night's Class S boys second round game between No. 5 Northwestern and No. 12 Terryville, won by the Highlanders, 63-48.

NORTHWESTERN

• The Highlanders got a huge contribution from Jake Plitt (10 points, 6 rebounds). The lone senior on the roster played a key role in his team's 14-3 run to close the third quarter. Plitt scored six straight points, then stole the ball and came up with an assist to John Stevens for a lay-up and a 45-32 lead.
• The Highlanders started out the game with hot shooting, which continued throughout much of the first half. Northwestern started the game with an 11-2 burst, then extended the lead to 19-6. That good shooting continued throughout the game. The Highlanders ended the game with 48 percent shooting and had three players in double figures. Stevens and Connor Guiheen each had 17 points while Plitt added 10.
• The Highlanders were able to control the backboards (45-34), something they didn't do in the BL tournament semifinal against the Kangaroos. Stevens said rebounding better was a key to the victory. Stevens led the team with 12 rebounds while fellow guard Guiheen wasn't far behind with 9.
• The Highlanders played relatively solid defense in the game. There were some lapses that led to open shots, according to head coach Doug Sebach, but Northwestern was able to recover and pull away.

TERRYVILLE

• The Kangaroos may have started slow, but they didn't give in. Jacob Johnson's trey got Terryville within 7 points at 39-32 in the third quarter.
• Junior forward Jon Festa played hard in spite of an ankle injury. Festa led the team in rebounds with 12, and he also had a couple key baskets early in the third quarter as the Kangaroos tried to get back into the game.
• Bottom line for Terryville: This will be a dangerous basketball team next season. The Kangaroos do graduate All-BL guard Sterner, along with forward Jordan Kuczenski. The Ross also lose reserves Andrew Giblin, Nick Graham and Matt Volz, but they will return guards Johnson and Tyler Trillo. Johnson and Trillo will be juniors. Terryville is also projected to return Festa and Arthur Trent as seniors to clog up the middle. Freshman Shea Tracy could step into an even bigger role next season as a sophomore. Given their unselfishness and their ability to shoot the ball, the Roos will be a team to watch next season in the Berkshire League and at the state level.

- Kevin D. Roberts