The 6-2 Algonquin Tomahawks beat the 4-2 Leominster Blue Devils on January 8 in an important league game, but it was a special day for sophomore point guard Patrick Freeman.

Just hours before his fourth game as a member of the varsity team after being called up from junior varsity before the Fitchburg game on January 2, Freeman learned he was going to start at point guard.

“I needed to bring my physical to the health office during third period and Coach Doherty was in there,” Freeman said. “We talked a little and he told me to get ready, and that I was going to start.”

Freeman hit a three-pointer in the first quarter and recorded multiple assists. Senior captain Nick Redden was excited for the sophomore.

“It was good for him to get that experience,” Redden said. “He will be important for us at the end of the year.”

By the end of the first quarter, the Tomahawks were up 27-16. Algonquin never gave Leominster an opportunity to come back.

At the second quarter, the Tomahawks kept playing well as a team and continued to control the game.  By half time, the Tomahawks were up 50-29, giving them a cushy lead going into the second half.

The Tomahawks continued their strong play into the second half, winning the game 94-60.

“We knew they only had two really good players,” Redden said.  “So we focused on stopping them and we just played our game.”

The relentless offense was led by Redden, who ended the game with 29 points, and freshman Alex Karaban, who finished with 23 points.  Leominster’s leading scorers were seniors Givensky Pierre Louis and Trey Leblanc, who scored 14 and 11 points respectively. The Tomahawks’ senior captain Brian Duffy also had a solid game as he chipped in 15 points to ensure Algonquin’s victory.

“League Games are always important,” Duffy said. “So we wanted to control the game from the start and dominate throughout.”

This win advanced the Tomahawks to 7-2, 2-1 in league play, leaving them only three wins away from guaranteeing qualification into the division 1 Central Massachusetts tournament. The Blue Devils dropped to 4-3, 0-2 in league play, making their task of winning ten games and making the playoffs more difficult.

After the game, senior captain Mike Spataro was excited for the team’s future.

“Wins; nothing less,” said Spataro. “We should win the State Championship; that’s our goal.”