The Blue Devil’s long layoff between games didn’t bother Jason Manwaring’s shooting eye. Jason (in white) poured through 22 points (20 in the second half) in the”Devils 61- 42 home win over Hazen last Wednesday and he racked up 32 at Rochester on Friday as Williamstown rolled to a 72-56 win. After last week’s action the Blue Devil Boys are 7-1 for the season. Photo by Bill Croney, The Northfield News The Williamstown Boy’s basketball team picked up a pair of wins last week; The Blue Devils topped Hazen at home 61-42, last Wednesday night and on Friday they made the trip to Rochester and came back home with a 72-56 win under their belt.

The ‘Devils had a long time between games and the effects of their 11 day layoff showed at the start of the Hazen game last Wednesday night at the Parks Gym. The usually sharp offense only managed 6 points in the first quarter but the defense apparently didn’t suffer from the layoff. After one quarter it was all even at 6. The second quarter was more of the same. “Our defense held them to just 16 first half points but we were cold from the field. We missed several easy opportunities but still managed a 19-16 halftime lead,” said ‘Devils coach Jack Carrier.

The second half was a whole different game. The Blue Devils exploded for 42 points in the half led by Jason Manwaring and coasted to a 61-42 victory. Jason had only two points in the first half but he turned on his shooting eye and poured in 20 of his game high 22 points in the second half. “Jason took control of the game in the second half by scoring at will against Hazen’s man to man defense. The team needed someone to take charge and Jason did what his team needed him to do,” coach Carrier said.

Williamstown also got a great effort from Ryan McCarthy. “Ryan McCarthy had a strong offensive game with 8 points and 7 assists. Ryan has stepped up as a true leader in practice and has become a leader on the court in the last two games,” coach Carrier said.

There was no slow start when the ‘Devils went to Rochester. Jason Manwaring stepped up big again with a whopping 32 points on 14 of 19 shooting from the field as the Blue Devils coasted to a 72-56 win. “Jason had his shooting touch and hit from everywhere on the floor-inside and out,” said coach Carrier.

There were other players on the floor for Williamstown as well. “Landen Brouillette added 12 points and he and Kyle Laughlin had a solid night in the post and played some great defense. Devin Duff (9 points, 10 rebounds) was a big help in the fourth quarter helping to close the game out. Their gym is small and it’s hard to spread it out on offense but we handled it well. The defense is stepping it up and the offense is starting to flow better,” coach Carrier said.

The Blue Devil Boys will put their 7-1 record on the line in back to back home games this week. They will host Rivendell on Thursday (7 p.m.) and Cannan (6pm) on Friday.