By JOE PALLADINO
WATERBURY — Damian Grant scored 18 points to lead No. 6 Wilby over No. 3 Kennedy, 65-61, in the first round of the NVL boys basketball tournament Saturday at the Reggie O’Brien Gymnasium.
In a foul-marred game, Wilby made free throws down the stretch as the Wildcats (15-6) rallied from a 10-point deficit, and survived a 31 point performance from Kennedy’s Jaivaun McKnight.
Dimitri Yates scored 13 for Wilby and Christian Harris added 10.
Darryl Flowers was held to five points for Kennedy (15-6), and he fouled out with 5:40 to play in the game.
No. 6 WILBY 65, No. 3 KENNEDY 61
Wilby (15-6): Christian Harris 3 2 10, Dimitri Yates 4 4 13, Darrien Bell 3 0 6, Tyqway Harding 2 0 4, Eddie Hightower 0 0 0, Jerquan Smalls 3 0 6, Ahmad Alves 2 2 6, Rontay Williams 0 1 1, Nasir Smith 0 0 0, Damian Grant 7 4 18, Shawn Coles 0 1 1, Ezra Goodman 0 0 0. Totals: 24 14 65.
Kennedy (15-6): Jaivaun McKnight 10 10 31, Darryl Flowers 1 3 5, Jameel Brooks-Norwood 0 0 0, Lorenzo Benjamin 1 0 3, Brandon Espinal 0 0 0, Tyvon Stenson 0 1 1, Tyrel Council 0 0 0, Chomari Joseph 3 1 8, Jeremy Acosta 0 0 0, Victor Sampson 3 0 6, Kasim Browne 0 1 1, Lashawn Smith 3 0 6. Totals: 21 16 61.
Wilby 10 22 14 19—65
Kennedy 17 14 13 17—61
3-pointers: W—Harris 2, Yates 1; K—McKnight 1, Benjamin 1, Joseph 1.
Of note: Sampson 12 rebounds; McKnight 8 rebounds; Smith 7 rebounds; Smalls 7 rebounds; Alves 7 rebounds.