In the hard-fought home opener to the playoffs Saturday, the Martha’s Vineyard boys basketball team lost to Pembroke 65-50, dashing the Vineyarders hopes for a run at the Division 3 state championship after a dominating 17-2 season.
The Pembroke Titans held a lead the entire game as the Vineyard worked to close the gap, with strong performances from Jacoby Light and Taurus Biskis, but were ultimately unsuccessful.
In the fast-paced, grappling first quarter, Pembroke pulled ahead of the Vineyard, snatching rebounds and stealing balls. In a series of quick back and forths across the court, the Vineyard came up with eight points next to the Titans' 20.
Looking to catch up with Pembroke, the Vineyard fought back in the second quarter. Biskis scored six points and Leo Napior came up with five. The score inched up as Titan Will Farrell notched multiple three pointers, finishing the first half 33-26 Pembroke.
The Vineyard continued to trail Pembroke throughout the third quarter. After nearly tying the game with three baskets from Landon Lepine and two from Light, Pembroke pulled away once more 47-39.
Eight points behind and with eight minutes to close the gap, the Vineyard dug in. After a hopeful basket from Light to start the fourth quarter and a few hard-fought rebounds from Lepine, Pembroke began to rack up baskets and free throws, with multiple from Pembroke’s Michael Marcella. The Vineyard fought back but could ultimately not make up for the deficit, finishing the game 65-50.
“Offensively, we could have been more patient,” said head Coach Mike Joyce. “I think we rushed through some of our offensive possessions, especially early on. But I don’t know that we could have stopped them, with their shooting. They shot lights out.”
Though unsuccessful at Saturday’s game, the Vineyard’s season was a strong one. After a euphoric finale to their regular season against Falmouth, the Vineyard took the Cape and Islands title in mid-February.
“I told them, ‘I know it sucks right now, but you played your butts off all year. You guys came so far from that first Nantucket game where we were horrible and turned the ball over 35 times, to the point where you won the Cape and Islands championship.’”
The boys aren’t done just yet. With this year’s starting lineup being mostly juniors and one sophomore, the team plans to come back next year tighter and stronger.
“I told them, ‘Let this be a motivator,’” said Coach Joyce. “‘You guys are ahead of schedule. You got now until next year, let’s work on it, come back and do this to everyone we see.’”
This article appears in March 6, 2026.
Thanks for such a great season boys.
You played your hearts out, champions all, and made this snowy winter the best ever.