TAUNTON — The Bishop Stang boys basketball team are Division 3 South champions, and they have three Wareham starters to thank for their victory.

Led by a strong defense and unselfish play, the Spartans were able to withstand the punishing play of the Burke Bulldogs to win the Division 3 South championship by a score of 72-61 on Saturday. 

Leading the way for the Spartans was senior Damien Perry of Wareham, who scored 23 points while going 10 for 12 from the free throw line and dropping one 3 point shot. The game was no one man show, however.

The Spartans moved the ball with precision and spread out the scoring among their five starters, including senior Justin Lopes and junior Joey Silvia, also of Wareham.

Lopes scored 11 points, including two 3 point shots. He went 3 for 3 from the free throw line.

Silvia scored two 3 point shots, earning him a total of six points.

These efforts kept the Spartans on top throughout the game; but the Bulldogs didn’t give up easily, coming back to within a few points of the lead on more than one occasion.

In the end, the Bulldogs were frustrated by the gritty Spartan defense committing costly turnovers and offensive fouls throughout the game to help secure the win for Bishop Stang.  

“It was a great team win” head coach Colbey Santos said after the game.  “We really executed as a team and I am just so proud”.

Next up for the Spartans is a match up against Division 3 North champions, the Dracut Middies, in a match up at the TD Bank Garden in Boston to determine the Division 3 East champions.

The game will be held on Wednesday, March 13th at 3:45pm. 

The Middies team has made a Cinderalla run through the playoffs. Ranked number 12 in the North, they have put together 4 playoff wins, including knocking off the top seed in the North, the St. Mary’s Spartans in the semi final game.