Emily Pettigrew saw plenty of Masco defense
Meghan Collins had 18 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals for the Lady Chieftains
(Newburyport MA) Masconomet ran away from Newburyport in the second half and defeated the Clippers, 59-33, on Friday night in Cape Ann League play.
The Newburyport (0-2) deficit was only six (22-16) after junior Emily Pettigrew (16 points) broke free thanks to a nice pass by Shelby O’Brien early in the third quarter. However, consecutive three’s by senior Lauren Sorel (13 points) sent the Lady Chieftains off on a 24-6 run that stretched into the final quarter. Senior Meghan Collins (18 points) added nine points in the breakaway segment.
Newburyport was hurt badly by turnovers……twenty-two by my count. At least half of the TO’s were unforced.
The Clippers wanted to get Emily Pettigrew (6′) as many touches as possible. Emily had 24 points in the Clippers opening game loss to North Reading. Masco’s Kate Kitsakos (16 points) covered Emily tightly and, despite giving away five inches, made passes inside difficult.
Meghan Collins (First team CAL All-Star last year) had a terrific second half for Masco. Meghan had twelve points in the final quarter hitting from long range and driving to the basket. The 5-7 senior guard also collected twelve rebounds for the Lady Chieftains.
Neither team played very well in the first half. Masco (1-1) led 18-13 but had eight turnovers. The Clippers had eight turnovers in just the first quarter and struggled to run offense that would turn up high-percentage shots.
Lauren Sorel (13 points) had 3 more 3-pointers for Masco
Masco continued with the solid man-to-man defense in the second half and when their shots started falling the Clippers were doomed. Masco’s good outside shooting forced the home team to expand their defense opening up drives to the basket for the visitors. Meghan Collins and Kate Kitsakos were quick to take advantage. The Lady Chieftains ended up with twenty-eight points in the paint.
Meghan Collins found foul trouble in Masco’s loss in their opener to Pentucket but not this time. Teammate Stephanie Mini had three fouls in the first half versus Newburyport and saw her playing time limited as a result.
Both teams were underwhelming at the free throw line. NHS was 9-for-19 while Masco was 6-for-16.
Emily Pettigrew (16 points) drives on Kailey Crothers
Lauren Sorel clicked three times from long range against Pentucket and Newburyport. Someone better start yelling, “Shooter!” when she gets the ball.
Thanks to Andy Tapparo, who runs the Masco Girls Basketball website, for help with statistics.
Next game for Masco is home on Monday against Triton. Newburyport will be on the road versus undefeated Pentucket on the same evening.
The Clippers of Coach Gregg Dollas were 13-7 last season while Bob Romeo’s Lady Chieftains were 21-2.
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(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)
Stephanie Mini gets to the basket
Morgan Johnston and Lauren Sorel (13 points) look for a rebound
Kate Kitsakos (16 points) looks to shoot over Emily Pettigrew
Olivia Olson gets fouled by Mary Erb
Amy Fogarty drives the lane
in bounds play
McClelland Miscellanea 
