Monthly Archives: January 2015

January 30, 2015 · 11:30 pm

Strong second half gives Kolbe-Cathedral 64-50 win over Masuk

Chiniki Fils (17 points) powers in for two

Freshman Trinity Bravo (14 points) was a key in the KC 2nd half rally

(Monroe CT) A strong second half enabled Kolbe-Cathedral to defeat Masuk, 64-50, on Friday night at Masuk.

The Cougars (7-7) trailed by nine (33-24) at the half but poured in forty points in the second half to win going away.

The two teams had met on January second at Bridgeport with the Cougars rallying to win by a point (68-67). KC had been down by ten in that one but came back, as they did in this one, to get the victory.

Chiniki Fils (17 points) led all scorers and collected twelve of her points in the 4th quarter. Masuk had no defensive answers for her around the basket.

Callie Engle had eight points in the second quarter for Masuk

When Chiniki went to the bench with her third foul with 4:44 left in the second quarter the Cougars trailed by a point (18-16). The Panthers, led by freshman Callie Engle, dominated the rest of the second period and led, 33-24, at the half.

Masuk (6-9) full-court pressure was working (15 KC turnovers) and the home team was able get high percentage shots in close.

All that changed in the second half.

Kolbe started and ended the third quarter with six unanswered points forcing turnovers and getting to the basket. Freshman Trinity Bravo (14 points) had several steals, baskets, and assists while Masuk suffered through a 4-point quarter.

Panthers coach Alyssa Laczkoski lit into her team after the disastrous third but things didn’t get better. Kolbe put eight straight together on three layups and a rebound basket to get up by nine (48-39) with 5 1/2 minutes left in the game. Jana Migliaro later his three free throws to get Masuk within five (51-46) with 4+ minutes left. Time was there to finish the comeback but Chiniki Fils had five free throws and two layups the rest of the way to seal it for Kolbe-Cathedral.

The Cougars won their third straight despite missing seventeen free throws (16-for-33).

Aftermath of 4-point third quarter

Masuk ended up with twenty-six turnovers. Many of the miscues led to immediate KC baskets.

Callie Engle had eight points in the second quarter for Masuk.

Jana Migliaro (11 points) made one three despite numerous attempts. Coaches on the KC bench were yelling “Shooter” every time the senior co-captain touched the ball.

Senior Nia Fogle and freshman Trinity Bravo both had fourteen points for the Cougars.

Jana Migliaro and Brittany Rodriguez

Masuk hadn’t played in a week. That was why I was surprised at how well they played in the first half.

Pressure works so much better when it gets set up after a made shot.

Masuk has lost four of their last five games.

Next for Masuk is a trip to Brookfield on Tuesday. The Panthers won the previous meeting at home.

The Cougars will be hosting Joel Barlow on Monday.

Kolbe-Cathedral boxscore

Masuk boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Nia Fogle (14 points) in for two

tight defense

Chiniki Fils

tight defense

Taylor Iorfino (10 points) gets a rebound

blocking out

Nia Fogle and Tiana Moraes

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Filed under Kolbe-Cathedral, Masuk

Tagged as Callie Engle, Chiniki Fils, Jana Migliaro, Nia Fogle, Trinity Bravo

January 25, 2015 · 11:05 pm

Kyle Coughlin’s last-second layup gives Beverly an 85-84 win in double OT over Gloucester

Kyle Coughlin gets the game-winner in the second overtime

Panthers start to celebrate

(Beverly MA) They’ll be talking about this one for a long time in Beverly.

Maybe not so long in Gloucester as the Fishermen took an 85-84 double overtime loss at The Lodge in Beverly on Sunday afternoon in Northeastern Conference action.

Junior Kyle Coughlin (14 points) won the game finishing a drive that was nearly full-court with one second left.

Kyle doesn’t get that chance without two 3-point baskets by senior Gavin Sparkman (17 points). The last three points scored in regulation were Gavin’s old-fashioned 3-pointer. Later his three from beyond the arc with 2.5 seconds left in the first overtime erased a 3-point Gloucester lead.

The Fishermen (8-6) had defeated Beverly, 61-46, on January 9th at Gloucester. They both played at that level for a half in this game as the visitors had a comfortable, 40-21, advantage.

Alex Militello (19 points) looks to pass

The Fishermen point guard Alex Militello took good care of the ball and Drew Muniz (25 points) had eleven first-quarter points including three 3’s.

Beverly (5-8) came out after halftime and played a remarkable third quarter collecting twenty-six points. Down, 44-26, the home team ran fifteen straight past Gloucester and trailed by only three (44-41) with 3:23 left in the quarter. Pat Gavin, Sam Traicoff, and Kyle Coughlin tallied the Beverly points in the run.

I thought at the time that now Gloucester was in trouble but it wasn’t until the 3-minute mark of the final quarter that four straight free throws by junior John Loreti knotted things at 59-59. The Fishermen had a 3-point lead after a Ryan Gabriele free throw with 42 seconds left but Gavin Sparkman answered with a three to send this game into OT.

Gloucester lost two key players (Dylan Aptt and Ryan Gabriele) to fouls before the 4th quarter ended. Both players were strong on the inside. Minus them the Fishermen were vulnerable to drives to the hoop.

Drew Muniz gets fouled by Sam Traicoff with six seconds left in the 2nd overtime

Gloucester came very close to winning the game in the first overtime. After two ties, Drew Muniz nailed a three from Alex Militello with 25 seconds left. After a Sam Traicoff miss, Drew was fouled. It was a shock to see a player who had just made a three miss two free throws. Those misses proved crucial as Gavin Sparkman tied the game for Beverly with a three from the left with 2.9 to go.

The Panthers led 3-0 at the start of the game. They took their second lead of the game in the second OT on two free throws by junior Ryan Garrity and a layup by Gavin Sparkman.

Back came Drew Muniz with a three to close the gap to one (80-79). Two free throws by Ryan Anderson were answered by a layup by Drew Muniz with 31 seconds left. Kevin Coughlin made one of two free throws with 20 second left and Beverly was ahead by two, 83-81.

Drew Muniz (25 points) puts up a shot

There was little doubt, at least in my head, that senior Drew Muniz would be taking the next Gloucester shot. Sure enough, he tried a 3-pointer at 5.3 seconds and was fouled by Sam Traicoff. Despite having missed two straight at the end of the first overtime, the GHS senior drained all three free throws and suddenly Gloucester had a one-point lead. Talk about pressure free throws!

Beverly coach Scott Lewis told me afterwards that the plan was to have either Kyle Coughlin or Sam Traicoff penetrate and look to dish off in close. As it turned out, Kyle drove past Alex Militello and no Gloucester defenders stepped in. Kyle had an open lane to the hoop and was able to put in the game-winner.

Plenty exciting for sure.

Sam Traicoff (20 points) had sixteen of those points for Beverly in the second half.

Alex Militello ended with nineteen points. He had quite a few assists especially in the first half.

Kyle Coughlin gets caught in a double team

Gloucester had a 14-2 segment in the first quarter and twelve unanswered in the second quarter.

Gloucester missed twelve free throws while Beverly missed seven.

Gloucester has now lost three straight while Beverly has won four of their last five.

I would tell you that both teams resume play on Tuesday but you know the forecast.

Beverly boxscore

Gloucester boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Battle for possession

Bill Cahill and Scott Lewis

Kyle Coughlin (#3) feeds Ryan Garrity (#34) for two

Sam Traicoff (20 points) sees an opening

Gavin Sparkman (17 points) hits a three at the end of the first OT

Pat Gavin

Evan Mason gets in close

Gavin Sparkman screens Drew Muniz off of Sam Traicoff

John Philpott drives past James Aaron

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Tagged as Alex Miletello, Drew Muniz, Gavin Sparkman, Kyle Coughlin, Northeastern Conference, Sam Traicoff

January 23, 2015 · 11:28 pm

Amesbury girls win the rematch 53-35 over Newburyport

McKenzie Cloutier (12 points) readies a block attempt against Emily Pettigrew (13 points)

Megan Reid (11 points) gets off a shot

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury put runs of points together in both halves and defeated Newburyport, 53-35, on Friday night in Cape Ann League play. The win avenges an earlier loss to the Clippers.

In the first half the Indians (6-5) put a 13-2 segment together to build up a ten-point league. In the second half the home team ran fourteen unanswered points and with it ended any curiosity about the final outcome.

The Clippers (3-9) missed a ton of shots but credit the Amesbury defense for allowing very few uncontested shot attempts.

McKenzie Cloutier (12 points) led the AHS scorers getting ten of them in the second quarter. After Newburyport had moved to within seven points (17-10) in the second quarter on a driving layup by freshman Krysta Padellaro, McKenzie tallied three straight baskets to set up Amesbury with a, 23-10, halftime advantage.

Morgan Johnston (10 points) puts up a shot in the paint

The Clippers finally were able to get some shots to fall in the third quarter. Krysta, Morgan Johnston (10 points), and Emily Pettigrew (13 points) combined for fifteen points for NHS in the first 4 1/2 minutes of the third quarter and the visitors were within ten, 35-25. When Emily drained a three-pointer the Amesbury lead was sliced to seven.

Plenty of game left for Newburyport to finish the comeback. The Clippers hopes were further buoyed by word that Amanda Martin had fouled out with 2:18 left in that 3rd quarter.

But rather than being in trouble, the Indians took their seven-point lead (35-28) and added fourteen straight points to it while holding Newburyport scoreless. Shut out for 6+ minutes, the Clippers emerged from the dry spell down and out, 49-28, with four minutes left.

Zoe Fitzgerald looks for someone to pass to

Megan Reid, Julia LaMontagne, Abbie Sartori, McKenzie Cloutier, and Zoe Fitzgerald scored points in the game-deciding Amesbury streak.

Junior Megan Reid finished with eleven points for Amesbury.

Newburyport has now lost four of their last five games. Amesbury has won three of four.

Newburyport won the first meeting between the two teams, 50-48, on January 5th. Olivia Olson had twenty points in that one. This time around the AHS defense held Olivia to a quiet two points.

The Indians won despite little playing time for Cape Ann League All-Star Amanda Martin. Amanda was a foul-magnet from the very outset getting two fouls in the first forty-nine seconds. She picked up a 3rd in the second quarter and in the third quarter two more. The 5th one came on an Amesbury 2-on-1 fastbreak and didn’t sit well with the Amesbury faithful. But on this evening it didn’t matter because the Indians had tight defense no matter who was playing and shots were falling for their team.

waiting for play to resume

The free throw shooting wasn’t very good in this game: Amesbury (11-for-19) and Newburyport (4-for-13).

Both teams resume play on Tuesday. Newburyport hosts Lynnfield while Amesbury visits Triton. Tessa Lafrance and Erin Savage from the Triton team were in the house tonight.

Amesbury boxscore

Newburyport boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Abbie Sartori gets in for two

Olivia Olson tries to finish as Abbie Sartori defends

Tight defense by Amesbury

Polly Corbett shoots a three

Emily Pettigrew goes for a block on Zoe Fitzgerald

Olivia Olson (#5)

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Tagged as Emily Pettigrew, McKenzie Cloutier, Megan Reid, Morgan Johnston

January 19, 2015 · 8:27 pm

Triton girls hold off Georgetown 43-39

Tessa LaFrance (16 points) gets two over Cayla Durkee in the first quarter

Maya Spence (7 points) saw plenty of Triton defense

(Byfield MA) Triton gave away a huge lead but held on to defeat Georgetown, 43-38, on Monday afternoon in Cape Ann League girls’ basketball.

The Vikings (6-7) have now won three straight games.

Sophomore Tessa LaFrance led Triton with sixteen points, getting eleven of those points in the Vikings’ remarkable 17-1 first quarter.

Georgetown (6-6) looked to be feeling the effects of yesterday’s 64-48 win over Saugus in the early going. Triton had several coast-to-coast layups at the beginning as the Royals failed to get back on defense.

Credit Triton, they chose to limit the touches Maya Spence (22 points against Saugus) would get with a box-and-one defense in the first half. Megan Muldowney, Melanie Primpas, and Hannah Clark all put in time effectively denying Maya the ball and the Vikings got off to a great start.

The Royals first point (free throw Cassidy Troy) came with 3:15 left in the first quarter…….and it was their only point in that quarter.

That sizable deficit, down sixteen after a quarter, could have been the start of an afternoon laugher but it wasn’t. I saw the Royals “out” of a game against Newburyport Friday night but the next thing I knew some of their 3’s started to drop and their trapping defense began to work. That’s also what happened in this game.

Ashley Hovan sparked the Georgetown comeback with two 3-pointers off the bench

The visitors trailed by nine (32-23) after three quarters. Enter junior Ashley Hovan for the Royals for the first time. Ashley drained two 3’s in less than two minutes and, combined with a Graceann Conte layup, suddenly G’town had Triton in their sights, 35-31, with nearly six minutes left in the game.

A converted rebound by Camille Mihalchik, after a steal and a layup by Morgan Snow, boosted the Triton margin back to eight (39-31) with 4+ minutes to go.

Again Georgetown, down but not out, as they tallied seven unanswered points. Four of the points came from free throws, despite missing four straight, and the other points were on Isabel Block’s 3-pointer with 1:50 remaining.

Anyone’s game, for sure, at 39-38.

Tessa LaFrance (16 points) scored the key basket for the winners driving down the lane for two and later teammate Morgan Snow hit a baseline jump shot, after a G’town turnover, to restore a 5-point lead.

tie-up on the baseline

The Royals responded with a free throw (Cassidy Troy) but thereafter inexplicably allowed Triton to run out the last twelve seconds to end the game. Fouling seemed like a logical option to this reporter.

Georgetown never led in this game. They next play on Friday at Pentucket.

Triton’s next game is hosting Lynn Voc on Wednesday night.

Triton was much taller than Georgetown and had quite a few offensive rebounds. They also had several blocks. On one play in the first quarter, Tessa LaFrance blocked a shot, recovered the ball, and drove the length of the court to score.

Rory Donoghue and Tessa LaFrance

Tessa LaFrance, Erin Savage, and Kayla Durkee were 2nd team Cape Ann League All-Stars last season. Tessa and Erin are sophomores while Cayla is a junior.

Triton won by four points but missed ten free throws (5-for-15). Two 1-and-1’s were included.

Georgetown lost by four points despite missing twelve free throws (11-for-23).

In my opinion, the advent of the 3-point shot has lessened the inclination of players to practice foul shots. Good teams are going to make you pay if you foul them.

Triton boxscore

Georgetown boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Jessica Greaney eyes the hoop

scramble

Tight Triton defense

Mollie Swanton goes for a steal

Morgan Snow on the run

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Filed under Georgetown, Triton

Tagged as Ashley Hovan, Cassidy Troy, Maya Spence, Morgan Snow, Tessa LaFrance

January 16, 2015 · 11:49 pm

Clutch free throws help Newburyport hold off Georgetown 50-47

Emily Pettigrew (15 points) passes ahead to teammate Morgan Johnston (21 points)

Clippers celebrate the 3-point win

(Newburyport MA) Newburyport (3-8) made four straight free throws in the final twenty-six seconds to defeat Georgetown, 50-47, on Friday night in Cape Ann League action.

Morgan Johnston (21 points) led the Clippers’ inside approach that accounted for every field goal except Kaitlin Ahern’s jumper in the second quarter. I don’t recall NHS even attempting a 3-pointer.

Georgetown, on the other hand, was willing to fire from long-range on every opportunity. They connected nine times from beyond the arc including two times in the final thirty-two seconds. The Royals Cayla Durkee missed a game-tying three with a second left.

Maya Spence (17 points) gets airborne in the lane

Five different G’town players had 3-pointers. Junior Maya Spence (17 points) clicked from downtown three times.

The Clippers got off to a terrific start (10-0) and later late in the third quarter had a comfortable, 41-28, advantage. But Cayla Durkee and Maya Spence hit three’s in the final minute of the third quarter to give the visitors some life going into the last quarter.

Georgetown (5-5) turned up the defensive heat in the final quarter and things started getting real interesting. Twelve turnovers (that is not a misprint!) later the Newburyport lead was just two (46-44) after Rory Donoghue nailed a three with thirty-two seconds left.

At this point, the Clippers had struggled mightily at the free throw line making only 8-of-22. It made perfect sense for Georgetown to foul. They did and sent Emily Pettigrew to the line. Emily had missed three of her last four attempts but with twenty-six seconds left made two straight. Newburyport now up by four (48-44).

Nicole Hogan makes one of nine Royals 3-pointers

The Royals went looking for a three and found one from Isabel Block with thirteen second remaining. Georgetown within one (48-47).

Newburyport inbounded the ball successfully to Emily Pettigrew. Inbounding was not a sure thing with twelve NHS turnovers already committed in the quarter. I am quite sure Newburyport coach Gregg Dollas wanted Emily shooting foul shots in a one-point game but she passed the ball back to Morgan Johnston. Morgan was quickly fouled.

Morgan had missed five of her last six free throws but in a one-point game with nine seconds left she swished both attempts. Those make’s gave Newburyport a three-point lead that held up when G’town’s final shot missed.

The Clippers ended a three-game losing streak. They will resume playing next Friday at Amesbury.

Rory Donoghue covered by Shelby OBrien

A likely reason for Georgetown’s poor start was losing starter Rory Donoghue after less than two minutes with two fouls. Rory had fifteen points and sixteen rebounds in the G’town win over Hamilton-Wenham.

Morgan Johnston set up close to the basket and was able to spin either way to get high-percentage shots. Emily Pettigrew stayed away from the basket and that gave Morgan room to operate. Most of Morgan’s baskets were assisted baskets.

Morgan scored the first basket in every quarter and the last two points of the game.

Emily Pettigrew had fifteen points for NHS. Kayla Durkee added ten for the Royals.

The 12 turnovers by the Clippers in the final quarter were a big surprise after they had only three miscues in the entire first half.

Georgetown was 6-of-13 from the foul line.

Newburyport scored the first ten points in the first half and the first seven points in the second half. Georgetown never led but did tie the score, 26-26, on a three (Maya Spence) in the last minute of the first half.

The Royals’ next game is Sunday (10AM) at Saugus.

Newburyport boxscore

Georgetown boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Morgan Johnston in for two

Maya Spence hit three 3-pointers

Shelby OBrien on the break

Michaela Corvi drives on Nicole Hogan

Morgan Johnston gives the Clippers a 3-point lead

Cassidy Troy looks for an opening

Morgan Johnston plays defense

Graceann Conte and Kristin Giovino

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Filed under Georgetown, Newburyport

Tagged as Cayla Durkee, Emily Pettigrew, Maya Spence, Morgan Johnston

January 14, 2015 · 10:03 pm

Lawrence Academy defeats Governor’s Academy 52-43 in ISL matchup

Sherron Dailey-Harris leads the break for Lawrence Academy

shot-block attempt

(Byfield MA) Lawrence Academy gained separation early in the second half and defeated Governor’s Academy, 52-43, in an ISL game on Wednesday night.

LA (2-8) snapped a five-game losing streak with the win. The Govs (3-6) now have lost four straight.

After four lead changes in the first half the visitors from Groton put eight unanswered points together taking a 27-20 lead. Nick Lynch, Sherron Dailey-Harris, and Martin Mann were the point-getters in the breakaway segment.

There was plenty of time left (12+ minutes) for a GA comeback but the Spartan’s zone defense forced outside shots and on this evening GA had no answers from there. The Govs didn’t hit a single 3-pointer.

Governor’s also did not take good care of the ball, recording twenty-two turnovers. Four of the miscues led to breakaway layups, three by sophomore Sherron Dailey-Harris.

Elijah Earley (12 points) led a GA rally in the second half

The Spartans had their biggest lead, 40-27, with five minutes left. Game over? Someone forgot to tell the Govs’ Elijah Earley and Nick Osarenren. That twosome guided the Govs on a 12-4 run that put GA within four (44-39) with two minutes left. The outcome was no longer certain.

However, the rest of the way LA displayed the ability to pass over and get through GA’s full-court pressure without turnovers. Sherron Dailey-Harris and Tim Preston cashed layups for LA while 6-6 Nick Lynch added two loud dunks to seal the victory for the Spartans.

Junior Demitri Jackson had an impressive two-minute run of hustle basketball in the second half converting three offensive rebounds into baskets.

Lawrence Academy finished with three players in double figures: Sherron Dailey-Harris (11), sophomore Luke Benoit (10), and Nick Lynch (10).

Senior Elijah Earley (12 points) paced GA.

Nick Lynch jam

Senior Tim Preston of LA made the only 3-point shot in the game.

6-8 Matt Peart will play football for UConn in the fall.

The poor GA shooting extended to the foul line as well where they were only 7-for-14.

Both teams resume action on Friday at home. The Govs play Thayer Academy while the Spartans take on Worcester Academy.

Basketball players from Endicott College were on hand for this one.

Lawrence Academy boxscore

Governor’s Academy boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Jalyn Hinton

Eddy Fish and Luke Benoit

Tyler Harrington and Martin Mann

Jalyn Hinton finishes

Jalyn Hinton and Tim Preston

Matt Peart shoots over Nick Lynch

Freshman Shane Smith runs into some tight defense

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Filed under Governor's Academy, Lawrence Academy

Tagged as Elijah Earley, Luke Benoit, Matt Peart, Nick Lynch, Sherron Dailey-Harris, Tim Preston

January 12, 2015 · 11:27 pm

Cam Armand (22) and Corey Parsons (21) lead Triton past Ipswich 56-40

Cam Armand (22 points) made seventeen free throws

Corey Parsons (21 points) had twelve points in the first quarter

Pat Flaherty had ten points in the Ipswich rally in the second half

(Byfield MA) “What are you trying to do, break in a new whistle?” yelled one of the frustrated Ipswich spectators.

Triton defeated Ipswich, 56-40, on Monday night in a game in which forty-two fouls were called and sixty-three foul shots taken.

The Vikings (5-6) proved to be the much better free throw shooters and that played a big part in carrying them to their fourth straight win.

Seniors Cam Armand (22 points) and Corey Parsons (21 points) had exceptional games for the winners. Cam made 17-of-22 free throws in the second half while Corey tallied twelve points in the first quarter to drive Triton to a 17-6 start.

Ipswich (2-7) couldn’t make shots from anywhere and trailed, 37-18, with 4+ minutes left in the third quarter.

That bad shooting never changed but the ferocity of the Tigers defense did. Over the next 7+ minutes of playing time Ipswich trapped, gambled, and forced ten Triton turnovers and closed to 43-37 with five minutes left in the game. Freshman Pat Flaherty had ten points in the Tigers run to contention.

Cam Armand moves into the lane

The rest of the way the Vikings made sure that the ball was in senior Cam Armand’s hands most of the time. Why? The young man can shoot free throws. Cam drained 10-of-12 in the final five minutes to keep the visitors from getting any closer.

The Tigers dropped their fifth straight. Their shooting was downright scary! I don’t know what they shot from the field but my stats had them making only eight of twenty-nine free throws. In one section of the second half they missed nine straight.

Triton, despite the win, has to face the reality of twenty-six turnovers. Those empty possessions didn’t hurt them against cold-shooting Ipswich but it might against teams ahead.

Ipswich trailed the entire game.

Fifth win of the season for the Vikings

It was a special win for the Vikings because this was their fifth win with a lot of season left to go. Last year Triton won just four games all season. They are surely improved.

The Tigers’ Pat Flaherty cashed a rebound as he was falling backwards. Later, he got away with inbounding the ball off the back of a Triton player and laying it in.

IHS coach Alan Laroche and guard Jake Long were assessed technical fouls in the third quarter. Every foul called, and there were plenty, seemed to arouse the ire of the team it was called against.

This was a game in which there were many fouls committed. Both teams defended with passion but there was way too much reaching in the open court. Those fouls have to be called.

The referees were several minutes late for the second half.

Jake Long sees a rare opening

Tough night for Jake Long. I saw the IHS junior nail six 3’s on the way to a 24-point performance versus Newburyport on Friday night. Jake was limited to five points by Triton.

The Tigers look to break their losing streak on Friday night when they host Pentucket. The Vikings will be a Manchester-Essex on the same night hoping to add to their four-game winning streak.

Triton boxscore

Ipswich boxscore

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Action around the basket

Referee identifies the guilty party

Cam Armand shoots technical foul shots

Freshman Pat Flaherty

Corey Parsons followed by Pat Flaherty

opening tip

Conor Henry blocks Alex Kujlic

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Tagged as Cam Armand, Corey Parsons, Pat Flaherty

January 9, 2015 · 11:08 pm

Newburyport rallies past Ipswich 61-58

Dan Baribeault (14 points) surrounded by Tigers

Jake Long (24 points) made six 3-pointers including this one at the final buzzer

(Ipswich MA) Newburyport trailed by eleven early in the second quarter but came all the way back to defeat Ipswich, 61-58, in Cape Ann League action on Friday night.

The Clippers (4-5) took the lead for good at the end of the third period (40-39) as Liam Hundertmark converted his own miss.

Quite a shooting display put on by Dan Baribeault (Newburyport) and Jake Long (Ipswich). Both players finished with twenty-four points.

Dan was able to create space for shots for himself whenever he wanted to. Jake was a long-range specialist hitting six from beyond the arc including three in the final quarter.

contested shot

The Tigers (2-6) were uptempo from start to finish. That uptempo style and a persistent IHS student section seemed to fluster Newburyport in the early going. The Clippers committed seven turnovers in the first quarter and had several air balls.

Jake Long’s first 3-pointer was part of eight straight IHS points that put them in front, 8-4, in the first three minutes. Later in the quarter, and stretching into the start of the second quarter, the home team put seven points in a row. Kyle Silva drained three straight free throws to key that run that put Ipswich in front, 21-10.

Thereafter Newburyport became more patient on offense and did a better job of protecting around the basket. Open shots began to be found by NHS. When Quinn Stott opened the 3rd quarter with a three the Clippers were within one (27-26).

Newburyport caught IHS at the end of the third quarter (40-39) and started the final quarter with consecutive hoops by Jake Berger and Liam Hundertmark (12 points) with an assist from Matt Short. Now down five points, the Tigers answered with baskets but on this night couldn’t get the stops they needed.

Dan Baribeault (#10) eyes an open teammate

The Clippers kept the ball in Dan Baribeault’s hands in the end game which limited turnovers. Dan made five-of-six free throw attempts in the last 3 1/2 minutes.

The Tigers went full-time, long-range looking for the quick fix and saw Jake Long hit three times while Robbie Glavin (16 points) successfully dialed long distance two times. Plenty of late-game offense was generated by the Tigers but there just wasn’t enough effective defense to cut into their deficit.

The two teams had met earlier in the season with Newburyport earning a , 52-47, victory.

Both teams pressed but there were few mistakes in the backcourt. Half-court was a different story, however. The Clippers ended up with twenty turnovers while Ipswich had eighteen.

Robbie Glavin (16 points) launches a jump shot

The Tigers were assessed an intentional foul late in the game.

Newburyport had lost two in a row before tonight’s win. Their next game is at home on Tuesday versus Manchester-Essex.

The Tigers have now dropped five straight. Next for them will be an away game at Triton on Monday night.

I was impressed with the Ipswich student section. They were loud, persistent, and kept it clean. The IHS student section appeared to have the attention of the Newburyport players in the first half when the Clippers shot at their end.

Newburyport box

Ipswich box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Liam Hundertmark (12 points) gets off a shot

Mike Shay (#11) tries to outrun Jake Long and Chris Remy

Jake Long appeals a call

Pat Flaherty (#15) flies at Dan Baribeault

young fan

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Tagged as Dan Baribeault, Jake Long, Liam Hundertmark, Robbie Glavin

January 7, 2015 · 11:18 pm

Triton boys defeat non-league Shawsheen 63-40

Cam Armand (13 points) gets out front

Nick Venora led all scorers with fourteen points

(Byfield MA) Triton finally found happiness in the New Year with a 63-40 victory over Shawsheen in non-league action on Wednesday night.

Both teams entered the contest winless in two attempts in 2015.

Shawsheen (2-3) stayed close for a quarter and even had a 14-12 edge 1+ minutes into the second quarter but after that Triton’s long-range accuracy enabled them to pull away for good.

The Vikings (2-6) drained nine long ones. The Rams clicked twice from beyond the arc (Sean Hines) in the first period but came up empty thereafter.

Cam Armand (13 points) connected three times for Triton from downtown. Cam’s first of two three’s in the 2nd quarter put the home team in front for good. Cam’s second three ended the first half putting Triton up 26-18.

Sean Hines had eight points for the Rams in the first quarter

The team from Billerica was still within comeback range trailing 44-34 with a minute left in the 3rd quarter. However, Triton put a 10-1 segment together over the next five minutes of playing time into the final quarter and gained separation, 54-35. Eric Rybicki had two three’s to pace the Vikings in that run of good offense.

Coach Dave Clay used everyone on his bench. There was no noticeable dropoff in hustle no matter who was playing.

Senior Nick Venora led all scorers with fourteen points.

Ellsworth Rogers now has the cast off his arm. He is hoping to return to action for Triton later in January.

Corey Parsons tries the lane

Shawsheen are Division 3 and play in the Commonwealth Athletic Conference. The Rams were 6-14 last season. Their next game will be against CAC opponent Chelsea at home on Friday night (7PM).

Triton, from the Cape Ann League, faces undefeated CAL opponent Lynnfield (8-0) at home on Friday night (6:30PM).
Triton had seventeen turnovers while Shawsheen had sixteen.

Triton box

Shawsheen box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Nick Venora surrounded by Ryan Donnell (35) and Connor Macloud (33)

Cam Armand and Pat DeCourcey

Pat DeCourcey defended by Eric Rybicki and Cam Armand

Curtis Lanphear dials long distance in the closing minute

Colin Brennan eyes the hoop

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Filed under Shawsheen, Triton

Tagged as Cam Armand, Commonwealth Athletic Conference, Nick Venora, Pat DeCourcey, Sean Hines, Shawsheen Tech

January 5, 2015 · 11:02 pm

Olivia Olson (20 points) leads Newburyport past Amesbury 50-48

Olivia Olson and Morgan Johnson surround Emily Pettigrew after her game-winner

Olivia Olson – 20 points and strong defense

(Newburyport MA) It was one of those nights for Newburyport sophomore Olivia Olson.

Olivia paced the Clippers (2-5) with twenty points but her biggest shot of the night was a complete miss that set up the game-winner in Newburyport’s 50-48, win over Amesbury on Monday night.

Olivia’s late-in-the-game launch was undershot but came right to teammate Emily Pettigrew (11 points) under the basket. Emily, who struggled all game to get open, was wide open on this occasion and cashed the last-second layup to seal the deal for the Clippers.

Amesbury (3-3) had rallied in the last minute on inside scores by Abbie Sartori and McKenzie Cloutier to knot things at 48-48 before Newburyport’s last-second heart breaker.

The Indians were down by as many as eight (23-15) in the first half but miscues by the Clippers in the 3rd quarter (eight turnovers) opened the comeback door for the visitors. Maddie Napoli’s fall-away 3-pointer put Amesbury ahead, 30-28, with 2 1/2 minutes left in the quarter. Newburyport (2-5) responded with seven unanswered points. Amesbury tied the score at 43 (converted rebound by Megan Reid) and later at 48 with seventeen seconds left.

Amanda Martin defended by Olivia Olson

Olivia Olson hit five 3’s getting at least one in each quarter. Her work defending the Indians’ top scorer Amanda Martin was also noteworthy. Olivia limited the Cape Ann League second-teamer to seven free throws. Amanda did miss a number of minutes in the second half because of foul trouble.

The Indians’ zone defense was very effective in keeping the ball away from 6′ Emily Pettigrew (CAL first team). Amesbury’s concentration on the inside opened opportunities on the outside and on this night Olivia Olson took full advantage.

Emily’s layin in the last second won the game but she also had a three from the right corner (set up by Michaela Corvi) that put NHS in front by four with 1 1/2 minutes to go.

Newburyport missed eight free throws (10-for-18) while Amesbury missed only four (14-18).

Maddie Napoli (16 points) guarded by Krysta Padellaro

Sophomore Maddie Napoli (16 points) impressed at point guard for Amesbury. The Indians had only five turnovers in the second half. Maddie hit two 3’s and made several difficult layups in the lane.

Newburyport travels to Everett on Wednesday night. Next for Amesbury is an away game versus Pentucket on Friday night.

No one seemed to know when the last time was that Amesbury defeated Newburyport. Believe me; they nearly pulled it off in this game!

Newburyport box

Amesbury box

(All of the pictures above and below enlarge considerably if you click on them.)