Bethel puts Weston boys basketball's playoff quest temporarily on hold

Claiming its first playoff berth since 2007 will have to wait at least one more game for the Weston boys basketball team. Host Bethel forced Weston to wait at least one more game and raised its record to 4-8 with a 67-55 upset victory over the Trojans (7-5).

Not having sophomore starting point guard Max Molinsky, junior swingman Cole Roseman and senior backup point guard Robbie Cordisco, who were out with injuries, hurt Weston. Junior forward Justin Mettel took over the ball handling chores and kept the Trojans in the game until late in the fourth quarter.

Bethel took a 22-11 lead in the first quarter, and its lead peaked at 17 points in the second quarter. The Wildcats were efficient against Weston's 2-3 zone and shot the ball very well from beyond the arc with 21 of their 34 points in the first half came on 3-pointers.

Weston senior captain Dennis Levene did a great job getting out on the fast break, and consistently hit mid-range jump shots to cut the lead down to 14. His four steals in the first half also led to easy baskets for Mettel (25 points). Senior captain Andrew Baron (six points) was aggressive in going to the basket.

The Trojans cut Bethel's lead to 10 at the break, 34-24 and went into the locker room with their heads up. However, Weston's roster was depleted. Sophomore J.D. Simons played big minutes in the second half and held his own in his first varsity game.

Because of Weston's injuries, its starting lineup was completely shifted, starting with Levene, a 6-6 center, being forced to play out on the wing. Sophomore center Lyle Mitchell started in his first varsity game and senior guard Jeff Evanier (six points) was also given the opportunity to start.

Weston hit three 3-pointers down the stretch in the fourth quarter and with two minutes left, cut the lead to eight on Levene's trey. The Trojans then went into their full court press and it looked like they might have had a chance to get back in the game, but the Wildcats broke it for three straight layups to assure themselves of victory.