Conrad's hard work pays off; Reserve sparks Mountaineers.

Byline: Steve Farley

SHREWSBURY - With his team short on guards due to injuries, Wachusett Regional reserve guard Brian Conrad knew that if he worked hard and impressed his coaches during practice, there was going to be an opportunity for the junior to play a key role in last night's Mid-Wach A game against Shrewsbury.

He did.

Conrad came off the bench to score 14 points, including two crucial 3-pointers late in the third quarter, to help lead the No. 5 Mountaineers to a 71-58 come-from-behind win over the Colonials.

Wachusett (10-3, 4-1 Mid-Wach A) clinched its eighth straight trip to the Central Mass. Division 1 Tournament. Up-and-coming Shrewsbury is still alive at 6-7 and 3-3.

The Mountaineers played without their starting No. 2 guard, senior captain Dylan Malloy, and backup junior guard Chris Tinsley, giving Conrad an opportunity to play ample minutes and show what he can do.

"I had a pretty good week of practice," Conrad said. "I knew those guys were out, so I thought it'd be a big chance to step up. (Last night) was my chance to go in and play hard."

"Brian took advantage of his opportunity tonight," Wachusett coach Tom Gibbons said. "It was a typical Mid-Wach A game on the road, where it's never easy. (Conrad) sparked us defensively, and that led to some easy baskets on offense. I told the guys in practice, it all starts with one guy, and everybody else will follow. Brian was that guy tonight."

The Mountaineers trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half, but cut the deficit in half (34-27) by halftime. Still behind, 44-40, late in the third, Conrad buried a 3 to shave Shrewsbury's lead to 44-43 with 1:27 left in the quarter.

Keith Chestna (11 points) gave Wachusett the lead for good, scoring off a Kellon Haynes feed with under 50 seconds to go in the third. Conrad stuck the dagger in by drilling another 3 at the buzzer to give the Mountaineers a 48-44 lead after 24 minutes.

"Brian Conrad played an enormous game," Shrewsbury coach Adrian Machado said. "We tried to make someone else step up and beat us besides Kellon. (Wachusett's) pressure got to us a little bit. They did not let us get into our sets. We went through some dry spells. We couldn't put in any shots. When we were missing our shots, they were hitting theirs."

Patrick Russell (13 points) sliced Wachusett's lead to 48-47 with a trifecta with 7:25 left, but Conrad's banker gave the Mountaineers a 50-47 lead with seven minutes remaining.

On Wachusett's following possession, Conrad, despite an obvious size disadvantage, positioned himself inside and deflected a missed shot to Mitchell Renshaw (game-high 18 points), who got fouled in the act of shooting.

"Coaches are big about getting deflections and keeping the ball alive and giving another guy a chance to get (a shot)," Conrad said.

Haynes, held to just one point in the first half, scored Wachusett's final six points and eight out of its last 10 to finish with 14.

NAME: WACHUSETT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL; SHREWSBURY HIGH SCHOOL