Greenwich downs Darien in FCIAC boys basketball action for fifth win of season

By David Fierro on January 29, 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Photo by David Fierro: Greenwich senior guard Matthew Maloney takes a shot in the lane during a victory vs. Darien.

Tough in transition.

That’s exactly what Greenwich High School’s boys basketball team was in its home game against FCIAC foe Darien on Jan. 28.

After a bit of a slow start in the first quarter, the Cardinals pushed the tempo in the second quarter, creating layups and easy baskets by getting out in transition. The result was a double-digit lead in the second half and another victory for the resurgent Cardinals.

Four players scored in double figures for Greenwich in its impressive 59-40 win over visiting Darien. The triumph was the fourth in the last six games for the Cardinals, who started the season 1-5, but now have an overall record of 5-7 and an FCIAC mark of 4-4. Junior guard Sandro Scott scored a game-high 16 points to pace Greenwich’s balanced scoring attack.

Sandro Scott scored 16 points in the Greenwich High boys basketball team’s home win against Darien High School.

Darien had a 12-9 lead on Greenwich after the first quarter, but the Cardinals outscored the Blue Wave, 23-11, in the second quarter to take a 32-23 advantage into halftime.

“We started to get easy shots,” Greenwich assistant coach Billy Murphy said. “The easy shots made a big difference.”

Moving the ball quickly up the court after getting a defensive rebound enabled the Cards to convert layups. Scott, senior guard Matthew Maloney and senior guard Blake Martin each flourished in transition for the victors.

Photo by David Fierro: Greenwich High senior guard Blake Martin dribbles toward the basket against Darien High School.

Maloney scored 14 points, eight of which came in the second half. Martin had 13 points, most coming off fastbreak baskets or drives to the hoops.

“We got out in transition a lot and we got a lot of fastbreak layups and I think that changed the game,” Maloney said.

Indeed, getting quick baskets and creating early offense was one of the Cardinals’ objectives versus the Blue Wave.

“It’s been something we’ve focused on in practice this week – getting the ball and moving in transition and pushing the ball,” Maloney noted. “That led to layups and we’re going to carry that on for the rest of the season.”

Greenwich senior guard Guy Germain, right, in action during the Cardinals varsity basketball game versus Darien.

Said Martin: “I think we picked it up the second half, We wanted to come out and close the game off and we did that. We were pushing the ball right at the net. Right after we got the rebound, we were looking it up and pushing it down the court.”

While Scott, Maloney and Martin were thriving in transition, 6-foot-6 junior center Michael Golden dominated in the paint for the Cards. The hosts successfully passed the ball to Golden in the low post and he was able to score down low. He also grabbed several offensive rebounds, which resulted in points.

“I give a ton of credit to Guy (Germain) Matt, Sandro, everyone, because they were helping dishing the passes,” Golden said. “I knew when I got a rebound that I had to hold the ball up high and go up strong. I think I had a double-double and that’s because of going up strong.”

“They didn’t really have a big guy to match up with him, so he got a lot of rebounds and he finished all his layups,” Maloney said of Golden. “He had a great game.”

Sandro Scott of GHS looks to pass the ball against Darien. The Cardinals were victorious against the Blue Wave, 59-40.

Junior Will Sapione led Darien (5-8, 1-7 FCIAC) with 15 points, 11 of which he scored in the first half. Senior Jake Blyth added 10 points for the Blue Wave, who trailed just 18-17 after Blyth made a 3-pointer early in the second quarter. However, the Cardinals gained separation courtesy of a 12-2 run.

However, Greenwich gained separation courtesy of a 12-2 run. Germain, a senior guard, converted a layup, Maloney drove to the basket and scored, Blake made a fastbreak layup off a Germain pass and Golden scored from inside, giving GHS a 26-17 advantage.

Later in the second quarter, Golden grabbed on offensive rebound and scored, putting the hosts ahead of the Blue Wave, 30-19.

Greenwich High’s varsity boys basketball team posted a xxx win at home over Darien High School.

“I think we played very unselfish,” Scott said. “Guy is a very good passer and we started moving the ball around. As soon as they went into a zone, we got it to the middle and Mike our big man, finished strong. He had a good game.”

Ahead 32-23 at halftime, the Cards began the third quarter with an 8-0 run to seize a comfortable 40-23 lead. Darien’s first point of the third quarter didn’t come until the 2:44 mark. Greenwich outscored Darien, 10-1 in the pivotal third quarter.

The victors continued to push the pace throughout the second half.

Blake Martin of the Cardinals looks to take a shot from the low post against FCIAC basketball rival Darien. GHS won, 59-40.

“It creates tempo and gets you going,” Scott said. “Especially in transition, it’s easy buckets and it gets you going as a team and you just rack up points from there.”

“We like to get out and play fast,” Martin said. “Everything opens up when you’re moving down the court.”

Up next for Greenwich is a road game against FCIAC foe Danbury on Friday at 7 p.m.

“Danbury is a great program, so we just have to be ready to go,” Martin said.

“Since the beginning of the season we made a lot of good improvements and we’re on the right track,” Maloney noted. “I think moving forward, we’re going to keep climbing up the rankings.”