Monthly Archives: January 2022

January 13, 2022 · 11:56 pm

Newburyport routs Lawrence 61-23

Emma Foley led the Clippers with twenty points

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(Newburyport MA) You never know for sure what to expect in a non-league game.

You read about your opponent and maybe even scout them, but actual conclusions are reserved for the game itself.

Newburyport put the clamps on Lawrence’s best player (Tyanna Medina) and the visitors from the Merrimack Valley Conference never had a chance.

The final was Newburyport 61, Lawrence 23.

Tyanna displayed all the skills of a next-level player but she was usually kept far from the basket.

“She was a really good player,” said Olivia McDonald who took a turn defending Tyanna. “Our coaches told me to force her left and there would be help. Everyone did a good job of helping.”

Sydney Turner, MaKenna Ward, and Anna Seidel also spent time corralling the Lancers’ sophomore and limited her to six points.

Meanwhile, on the offensive end, the Clippers were productive in the first-half, up-tempo approach as well as the second-half, deliberate approach.

The Lancers (1-5) used a zone defense that was slow to set up after missed shots. The fast-breaking Clippers turned rebounds into open looks and layups.

Newburyport scored all the points in the first four minutes and sped ahead, 14-0.

Emma Foley continues to be able to maneuver into open looks in close. Her ability to go either right or left, and use either hand successfully, makes her a scoring threat against any single coverage she faces.

Emma had twenty points tonight.

“Our team was really ready to play tonight,” said Newburyport coach Karen Grutchfield post-game. “We have to learn to do that against every team, not just against a team that is not that strong.”

The Clippers had a 24-4 first quarter lead and extended the margin to 44-10 at the half.

Deirdre McElhinney (12 points) and Sydney Turner (11 points) scored all their points in the first half.

In the second half, the Clippers resisted the fast breaks and were very patient on offense.

The most entertaining part of the second half was when Tyanna Medina and Olivia McDonald turned up the defensive pressure on each other.

Both are tenacious and confident. Tyanna is used to being hounded because of her scoring reputation. Olivia is quick and willing to cause a turnover any way she can.

“I told Olivia that I got goosebumps tonight watching her play such good defense on such a talented player,” said Coach Grutchfield.

Here is a four-picture sequence of the two of them getting after it:

Emerson McCormick had the game-winner in the JV game

Coach Grutchfield had two players on her bench that she couldn’t use. Why? Emerson McCormick and Maddie Hopwood had played the entire JV game in which Newburyport won late. Emerson scored the go-ahead basket while Maddie sealed the win with free throws.

Olivia McDonald: “I think that the reason we are doing so well this season is that our defense leads into our offense.”

Newburyport 24 20 6 11 = 61

Lawrence 4 6 5 8 = 23

(The pictures enlarge if you click on them.)

Maddie Hopwood sealed the JV game with free throws

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Filed under Lawrence, Newburyport

Tagged as Anna Seidel, Deirdre McElhinney, Emma Foley, Sydney Turner, Tyanna Medina

January 11, 2022 · 11:58 pm

Amesbury speeds by Lynnfield 74-57

Henry O’Neill gets to the basket against Lynnfield

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(Amesbury MA) “We did what we do best….run in transition,” said Amesbury senior Matt Welch afterwards.

And did they ever.

The Indians (5-2) took a 3-2 deficit and turned it into an 18-3 lead in four minutes of fast action.

The Pioneers (1-8) went cold, and Amesbury rebounded, found the outlet man, and moved quickly into open layups and looks.

The final was 74-57.

The Indians’ starters didn’t play in the second and fourth quarters.

“We wanted a fast-paced game,” said Amesbury coach Tom Comeau. “Max (LaPointe) and Nick (Marden) were huge inside early. When you can rebound like that, it allows you to run.”

Senior Cam Keliher (21 points) keyed the fast start with twelve points and several assists to breaking teammates.

The Indians’ attack was so fast that they were seldom fouled going to the basket.

“Amesbury is a heckuva team,” said LHS coach John Bakopolus post-game. “They are incredibly difficult to guard. They got out on us real early in the first half.”

None of the Amesbury starters played in the second quarter and the Pioneers used consecutive three’s by freshman Gavin Deluties (14 points) to lessen their deficit to 38-25 at halftime.

The AHS starters returned in the third quarter and the pace picked up and the shots started falling.

Cam had a 9-point quarter and teammate Matt added eight points in a 23-point AHS period. The Indians’ lead ballooned to 61-37 after three periods.

The final quarter belonged to the reserves from both squads.

“The kids on our bench came in and were ready to play,” said Coach Comeau. Ten players on the Amesbury team scored points.

Freshman Zach Pincus (12 points) connected three times from long range for Lynnfield in the final quarter.

Coach Bakopolus: “We’re not at the level to compete with them yet. Every mistake we made they capitalized on. There’s a reason why they’re one of the top teams in the area.”

Matt Welch: “We had good defense and rebounding. We have good chemistry with each other.”

Coach Comeau: “I’ve been on both sides of games like this. Lynnfield worked real hard. They have a group of good kids. I think they were missing five kids with Covid.”

Coach Bakopolus: “Our kids didn’t stop fighting. We’re dealing with some stuff, but I think every team is. You have to power through it.”

Lynnfield was 4-6 last season and defeated Amesbury, 75-67.

Lynnfield’s win this year was over Rockport on January 4^th.

Amesbury 25 13 23 13 = 74

Lynnfield 8 17 12 20 = 57

(The pictures enlarge when you click on them.)

Gavin Deluties goes behind his back to get to the basket

Mekhi Peters tries to get past Henry O’Neill

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Tagged as Cam Keliher, Gavin Deluties, Matt Welch, Zach Pincus

January 9, 2022 · 8:26 pm

Triton holds off Lynnfield 52-45

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Bella George (13 points) covers Kendall Liebert (22 points)

(Byfield MA) “It was a great game, back and forth,” said Lynnfield coach Sue Breen afterwards.

A tie after the first quarter was followed by both teams having a lead in the second quarter. Triton had a tenuous one-point lead going into the final quarter.

In the final quarter, however, the Vikings (5-3) early on combined an effective zone defense with some unanswered offense to take a seven-point lead. Triton never trailed thereafter and secured a, 52-45, win over (1-4) Lynnfield on Sunday afternoon.

Molly Kimball was one of four seniors honored today

The win was special for Triton. “It was Senior Day, and you always like to get a W on that day,” said Vikings coach Bryon Shields post-game.

Sophomore Kendall Liebert had another big game for the Vikings with twenty-two points. Seven of Kendall’s points were in the final quarter when this game was decided.

When Kendall wasn’t making layups, she was getting contact on the way in. Kendall was an excellent 10-for-12 from the line.

Junior Bella George paced the Pioneers with thirteen points.

“Bella George is awesome,” said Coach Breen. “Really steady.”

Bella helped the visitors get to a, 22-15, advantage four minutes into the second quarter.

Triton had answers. Three’s from seniors Molly Kimball and Maeve Heffernan, as well as a layup by Maeve set up by Isabelle Basile put the home team in front, 25-24.

The Vikings had a 30-26 lead at halftime and a one-point lead (35-34) at the end of three periods.

This one had “tight finish” written all over it.

But something changed. Triton switched to a zone defense.

“We went into it (zone defense) coming out of the third quarter,” recalled Coach Shields. “They had trouble making shots against it and so we stayed with it.”

For two minutes the Vikings shut out the Pioneers. “Our zone defense is one of our strongest defenses,” said Maeve Heffernan afterwards.

A three by Molly Kimball (six points) and a successful drive by Kendall Liebert put consecutive points together and Triton was ahead, 41-34, with six minutes to go.

There was plenty of time left for Lynnfield to get back into it and they started to score consistently as Bella George heated up again. But on this afternoon, Triton responded with their own points. One time it was a Brianna Welch rebound basket. Another time it was a Lia Hatheway three. Kendall added two assisted layups. The Vikings came away with a 52-45 win.

“We had trouble when they went zone,” said Coach Breen. “You have to put the ball in the basket. It’s an easy game when you can do that.”

Coach Shields: “It was a dog fight. The difference was our intensity on the defensive end late in the game and our rebounding.”

Maeve Heffernan: “It was a hard-fought game. We’re not a team that gives up. We kept working hard.”

Coach Breen: “We competed the whole game. I think that it was the best game we’ve played so far.”

The 12:30PM start made for some interesting lighting.

Coach Breen coached Lynnfield from 1994-99 before switching to North Andover from 2000-2013.

The Pioneers broke a three-game losing streak with a win over Collegiate Charter School (Lowell) on January 4^th.

The Vikings were 2-8 last season ending with eight straight losses. One of those losses was to Lynnfield, 54-20.

The two teams will meet again at Lynnfield on January 21^st.

(The pictures enlarge when you click on them.)

Kendall Liebert (22) up for a block attempt

Maggie Ozanian (8 points) in for a layup

Taylor Valiton shoots over Paige Leavitt

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Filed under Lynnfield, Triton

Tagged as Bella George, Coach Sue Breen, Kendall Liebert, Maeve Heffernan, Molly Kimball

January 6, 2022 · 11:41 pm

Undefeated Newburyport (6-0) downs North Reading 45-29

Brianne Slattery chased by Olivia McDonald

(Newburyport MA) Things haven’t gone perfectly for the Newburyport girls’ basketball team.

Tonight was another one of those nights.

“The game was frustrating,” said NHS coach Karen Grutchfield afterwards. “We didn’t execute very well, and we missed a ton of shots early.”

But despite the imperfections the Clippers are perfect where it counts the most; wins and losses.

Newburyport (6-0) defeated North Reading, 45-29 in Cape Ann League action.

Good luck to the teams in the Cape Ann League when Newburyport plays really well!

“She (Coach Karen Grutchfield) has a great team here,” said NR coach Bob Romeo afterwards. “They play with a level of execution that it takes to win.”

It didn’t start out that way tonight as the Clippers trailed after three minutes, 4-2, and called a timeout.

Not sure what was said in the timeout but the next two minutes of playing time were a showcase for recently returned Deirdre McElhinney. Deirdre had missed several games with Covid.

The talented junior knocked down consecutive three’s and put in a fancy layup after a feed from MaKenna Ward.

Suddenly it’s the Clippers up, 10-4, and their lead would grow from there.

“It’s good to be back,” said Deirdre (12 points). “I’m feeling much better than I did last week.”

The Hornets (1-5) then sealed their fate by slipping into a nightmarish second quarter getting only three points.

“We struggle to score especially when we play really good teams that dig in and play defense,” said NR coach Bob Romeo.

The Hornets, led by Brianne Slattery and Faith Newton, were able to get to the basket but had trouble finishing. When the Hornets were fouled, they struggled at the line.

“Our foul shooting (1-for-8 in the second quarter) was not good,” admitted Coach Romeo. “If you can’t make free throws and layups it’s going to be a long game.”

Newburyport led, 25-9, at the half and extended that lead to twenty points (35-15) in the third quarter.

Emma Foley (15 points) got hot from the right baseline collecting eight points in the third quarter.

North Reading played an active zone defense for the entire game. Newburyport featured man-to-man almost all the way.

“Anna Seidel did a good job on #15 (Faith Newton),” said Coach Grutchfield post-game. “I thought she made a difference.”

North Reading kept Newburyport out of the 50’s for the first time this season.

“They (North Reading) showed that we didn’t run our zone offense very effectively,” said Coach Grutchfield.

The Clippers usually passed into open looks but shot inconsistently from the openings.

“It was good to play against a zone,” said Deirdre. “We were able to work for shots outside and hit our posts when they came out after us.”

Coach Romeo liked the way his team attacked the basket. “We were getting to the rim against a very good defensive team. That’s a positive.”

Coach Grutchfield: “It’s fabulous to have Deirdre back. She’s fun to watch. She’s such a smart player. But I do want her to shoot more.”

The two teams will match up again on January 21^st at North Reading.

(The pictures enlarge when you click on them.)

Deirdre McElhinney passes to Brela Pavao (13)

Deirdre McElhinney tries to get to the basket

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Filed under Newburyport, North Reading

Tagged as Anna Seidel, Brianne Slattery, Coach Bob Romeo, Coach Karen Grutchfield, Deirdre McElhinney, Emma Foley, Faith Newton

January 4, 2022 · 11:10 pm

Amesbury downs Triton 70-51

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Cam Keliher (20 points) chased by several Vikings

(Byfield MA) Amesbury got double/doubles from Cam Keliher and Nick Marden tonight.

That was more than enough to defeat Triton, 70-51, in Cape Ann League action.

This game was close for a half, with the Indians only slightly ahead (29-28) at the intermission.

The Indians (3-2) dominated the second half.

“The kids battled the entire game,” said Amesbury coach Tom Comeau afterwards.

“We wanted to spread them out and battle inside,” Coach Comeau added. “They’re a big physical team.”

Nick Marden (11 points/13 rebounds) was impressive for Amesbury. “He’s a beast inside,” said Coach Comeau.

Endicott commit Cam Keliher (20 points/10 rebounds) handled the ball well and registered eight points in the final quarter as the Indians built their lead.

In the third quarter it was Matt Welch (18 points) getting nine of those points as Amesbury put a lead together.

“Matt continues to go to the basket and cause havoc inside,” said Coach Comeau.

“I thought we started out good in the first half but the game got away from us in the second half,” explained Triton’s Dylan Wilkinson post-game. “We did our best. Cam (Keliher) is a tough one to guard.”

Cam said afterwards that the team came into the game confident. “We had beaten Georgetown before the break. We knew it would be tough here. We hadn’t beaten them here in something like ten years.”

The keys to the win according to Cam were “we pushed the ball and played good defense.”

The Amesbury rebounding impressed Triton coach Ted Schruender. “Amesbury killed us in rebounding,” he said. “We also lost our composure in the second half.”

“Our pressure helped wear them down in the second half,” said Coach Comeau.

I was impressed with the way Amesbury shared the ball. “These kids have played together for a long time,” said Coach Comeau. “They trust each other.”

Coach Schruender: “Cam is a great player. He’s also a classy, classy kid.”

Griff Dupuis and Quintin McHale led Triton with fourteen points each. Griff connected four times from long range.

Dylan Wilkinson made three 3’s and reached eleven points for the (2-3) Vikings.

Dylan told me that he plans to go to college and hopes to walk-on for a chance to play basketball.

Amesbury 18 11 22 21 = 70

Triton 10 18 15 8 = 51

The pictures will enlarge if you click on them.

Dylan Wilkinson guarded by Jake Hallinan

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Tagged as Cam Keliher, Dylan Wilkinson, Griff Dupuis, Matt Welch, Nick Marden, Quintin McHale

January 2, 2022 · 6:41 pm

St. Mary’s defeats St. John’s 52-42

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(Danvers MA) St. John’s Prep didn’t have the firepower to stay with St. Mary’s for an entire game.

When the (6-1) Spartans put baskets together in the second half the Eagles didn’t have answers and fell, 52-42, on Sunday afternoon.

The Eagles led at halftime (18-17).

In the second half, St. Mary’s finished well inside while defending the home team into a low percentage outside game.

Senior Kyle Webster was St. John’s top scorer with nine points.

The Spartans’ David Brown was very effective on both ends of the court. David had eleven points with five assists plus seven rebounds and five steals.

David also had a crowd-pleasing dunk in the first half and a block in the final quarter.

The Prep’s Jack Perry looked to be in free for a layup but hustling David caught up and got the exciting block.

David Brown (right) about to block Jack Perry’s shot

Derick Coulanges led St. Mary’s with thirteen points, all in the first three quarters.

Omri Merryman added ten points with seven boards.

Senior Henri Miraka finished with nine points including a dagger three in the final minute to seal the deal for St. Mary’s.

The Eagles’ defense was solid, but they didn’t have the points. The Eagles graduated forty-two points per game in scoring and lost their best passer as well. They’ll need to find some answers, but there is time.

Ali Barry was St. Mary’s top scorer last year averaging fourteen points per game. Today he was limited to one point and few shots.

St. Mary’s is D3 and in the Catholic Central League.

St. John’s is D1 and in the Catholic Conference.

St. Mary’s 6 11 18 17 = 52

St. John’s 11 7 10 14 = 42

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