Category Archives: Governor’s Academy

February 12, 2022 · 12:26 am

Pingree edges Governor’s 33-29

Gov’s Isabelle Ferdinando in front of a large crowd

Callie Batchelder guards Sam Jones (9 points)

(Hamilton MA) Both coaches raved about the atmosphere, and it deserved to be raved about.

“It’s what high school basketball is about,” said Pingree coach Dave Latimer afterwards. “It was Friday night lights with the whole school cheering you on.”

“I loved the atmosphere,” said Governor’s coach Ceci Reyes post-game. “It was incredible. Pingree definitely came out for their Senior Day. It was great to see some of the Govs’ red out there.”

There weren’t a lot of points to cheer about but plenty of scrappy play to excite the large crowd as Pingree defeated Govs, 33-29, on Friday night.

The tenacious defense played by both teams had a serious impact on the attempts at organized offense by both teams. Open shots were few and jump balls were in abundance.

Governor’s (3-10) had leads in the first, second, and final quarters. In fact, the visitors from Byfield were only down a point in the last minute of the game (30-29) after a three by Fiona Neilon (10 points).

Fiona Neilon brought Govs within a point with this three

The Govs had the ball twice after that. One time a shot was blocked, and another time had a near-miss three by Anique St. Laurent.

Down the other end, junior Sam Jones hit two free throws with thirty seconds left and another one with eight seconds to go. Sam’s free throws sealed the win for the Highlanders (10-6).

“It was stressful shooting those free throws with the crowd being so intense,” said Sam afterwards. “But we had practiced yesterday with super-loud music on.”

“Sam is a coach on the floor,” said Coach Latimer. “She is a true point guard who facilitates everyone. It was huge to see her make those shots down the stretch.”

The key to the win for Pingree may well have been the return to action of Bella Vaz. The sophomore drained three 3’s and in a low-scoring game her nine points were large.

“Bella injured her ankle twice and we haven’t had her since mid-December,” said Coach Latimer. “She had nineteen points in two of the three games she was able to play in before the second injury. We know she can put points on the board, and it was great to have her back today.”

“I am so glad to have Bella back,” added Sam. “We are kind of a dynamic duo out there. She definitely makes everyone better.”

“It has been hard watching from the bench,” said Bella. “I am so happy to be able to play.”

Bella’s second three-pointer gave the Highlanders their largest lead (22-15) in the last minute of the first half.

Credit Governor’s, they had that lead reduced to a point (25-24) at the end of the third quarter. Gracie Augustine had a rebound basket and a layup while teammate Fiona Nielon made a free throw and added a three during the comeback.

Neither team could gain separation in the final quarter until Sam Jones drained three free throws in the last thirty seconds.

“I always say that we need to turn losses into lessons,” said Coach Reyes. “Tonight, we needed to do a better job of committing to our defensive assignments and knowing where the shooters are.”

Sam Jones regarding the crowd: “I know that all of us were really nervous before the game. I honestly didn’t expect so many people to come. I actually had tears in my eyes when we first came running out because it was so overwhelming.

“Govs plays so hard,” explained Coach Latimer. “I give their coach a lot of credit. We’re friendly rivals.”

“Our student body really came out,” added Coach Latimer. “They don’t usually do that unless it’s Govs or a very big game. I think that there is mutual respect on both sides.”

Pingree seniors Lexi Garcia and Avery Robillard were honored before the game.

Pingree 9 13 3 8 = 33

Govs 8 8 8 5 = 29

(The pictures will enlarge.)

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Filed under Governor's Academy, Pingree

Tagged as Bella Vaz, Coach Ceci Reyes, Fiona Neilon, Lexi Garcia, Sam Jones

February 3, 2022 · 12:02 am

Jac Doucette (32 points) leads Phillips Exeter past Governor’s 55-47

Jac Doucette carried Phillips Exeter with thirty-two points

(Byfield MA) Somebody was going to put an end to a very long losing streak.

On this evening, it was Phillips Exeter.

The Big Red defeated Governor’s, 55-47.

“We’ve been needing this one for a while,” said Phillips Exeter coach Katie Brule post-game.

Coach Brule’s team opened their season with a win over Milton Academy on December 8^th. Nine straight losses had followed.

The problem had been scoring points. “This was the first game we’ve scored over thirty-five points in a while,” added Coach Brule.

Junior Jac Doucette (32 points) had a huge game for the visitors.

Jac was shut out in the second quarter but was a reliable source of points in the other quarters with drives to the basket.

“It was exciting for our team to get a win,” said Jac afterwards. “We had lots of energy and we were composed.”

Two minutes into the game Jac had eight points and the Govs’ team had five points.

The visitors from New Hampshire carried their lead into the second quarter (24-18) with 5 ½ minutes left. Then the Govs defense took over and shut down Phillips Exeter (2-9) for the rest of the quarter. Three’s by Fiona Neilon (10 points) and Amanda Hill (11 points) keyed ten straight Govs’ points and they had a 28-24 halftime lead.

Fiona Neilon (10 points) guarded by Amelia Byerly

Junior Hayle Thompson played some tough, shutdown defense on Jac Doucette during the run of excellent Govs offense/defense in the second quarter.

“She had some good blocks,” recalled Jac.

After 2 ½ minutes into the second half, Govs were up by seven, 35-28, after Amanda Hill’s second three-pointer. The Big Red looked to be in a lot of trouble.

But suddenly everything came together for Phillips Exeter. Jac caught fire again and her team put thirteen unanswered points together. Jac had eleven of those points including a 3-pointer. Down went Govs, 41-35, and they now looked like the team in trouble.

Amelia Byerly added to the visitor’s momentum by connecting on a last-second, desperation half-court shot. The Phillips Exeter lead was, 44-37, after three quarters.

The Govs weren’t about to quit. Consecutive inside scores by Gracie Augustine moved them within one possession, 46-44, with five minutes left in the game.

But Jac answered with a three from the top of the key.

Fiona Neilon then responded with an old-fashioned three-point play and Govs were again within one possession with four minutes left.

But Governor’s wouldn’t score another point.

Meanwhile, Jac drove the lane twice for baskets and a Bridgette Martin layin sealed the deal for Phillips Exeter, 55-47.

“We had solid efforts from Emma Liu and Bridgette Martin today,” said Coach Brule.

Jac had a ton of success going to her left to the basket today. “I’m still working on going to the right,” she said.

This is Jac’s first year at Phillips Exeter. “The academics have been hard, and we get plenty of work, but I really like it there,” she added.

Three of Jac’s former teammates at Newburyport High School (Deirdre McElhinney, Emma Foley, and Makenna Ward) took in the game today.

The Govs (2-8) have now lost seven straight.

Phillips Exeter 21 3 20 11 = 55

Governor’s 15 13 9 10 = 47

(The pictures will enlarge.)

Jac Doucette guarded by Gracie Augustine

Anique St. Laurent guarded by Bridgette Martin

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Filed under Governor's Academy, Phillips Exeter

Tagged as Amanda Hill, Anique St. Laurent, Coach Katie Brule, Fiona Neilon, Jac Doucette

February 26, 2020 · 10:56 pm

Governor’s Academy downs Nobles 53-48 on Seniors’ Day

Governor’s pressure gave Nobles trouble

Seniors Zach Clough, Eljay Morris, Jason Mahoney, and John Gorgol honored pre-game

Gov’s coach Michael Shelton

(Byfield MA) “I told the team that tonight was not going to be about anybody but the seniors,” explained Governor’s Academy coach Michael Shelton afterwards.

And that’s the way it went.

The four Govs seniors were honored before the game, then started the game, and later finished it.

“Coach told us in the second half,” said senior John Gargol, “that we started it and we’re going to end it.”

Governor’s (17-8) held off fast-closing Nobles, 53-48, on Wednesday night to give the evening a perfect ending.

One more game on the Gov’s schedule before they start the Class B tournament next Wednesday.

Despite differing lineups, the Govs applied effective pressure against the Bulldogs (10-13).

Governor’s “run-and-jump stuff,” as Coach Shelton called it, helped turn a 10-9 Nobles lead into a 21-10 Govs’ lead five minutes later.

Henry Mitchell over Eljay Morris

Senior Eljay Morris was the chief contributor with six points in the 12-straight Govs points, including a crowd-pleasing dunk on an assist from Drew Sachs.

“They did a good job with their pressure defense,” said Nobles coach Adam Cluff post-game. “They were relentless and very disciplined with it.”

Nobles (10-13) rallied in the last 1 ½ minutes of the half (3 by Brendan McNamara, jump shot Duke Ferrara) and only trailed, 28-21.

The Govs dominated the first eight minutes of the second half. Six different players contributed points with senior Jason Mahoney nailing a 3-pointer. Defensively? Even better, as they limited the team from Dedham (MA) to only a triple by Channing Bryant (11 points).

The Govs lead increased to 49-29 with 5 ½ minutes left.

There wasn’t enough time for the Bulldogs to catch the bench-clearing Govs but they certainly finished with a rush and that pleased Coach Cluff.

Brett Cosby (10 points)

“We decided that no matter what happened we were going to be resilient,” said Coach Cluff. “We ended up going with a smaller lineup and it gave us a little more flexibility against their full-court pressure.”

Nobles made shots and forced the Govs into mistakes (four turnovers) and closed the game on a 19-4 run but lost, 53-48.

Brett Cosby (10 points) and Channing Bryant (11 points) each contributed 3-pointers and layups in Nobles late run of good basketball.

Governor’s has a five-game win streak going and will start Class B tournament play next Wednesday.

Peyton O’Leary (11 points)

“We’re peaking at the right time,” said Coach Shelton. “Our young guys have bought into our principles and our daily habits. On Saturday (against St. Sebastian’s) we had a season-high twenty assists. We’re really sharing the ball and defending at a really high level.”

The team-to-beat in Class B would be undefeated Brooks. “We were close against them on the road and they went on a big run to end the half,” said Coach Shelton. “It was a tough game for our young guys. We look forward to seeing them in the tournament.”

Will Batchelder: “Tonight was a fun game for our seniors. It was a good win in a good atmosphere.”

Will is taking his road test on Saturday. Stay clear of the Haverhill Registry on that day!

John Gorgol shoots

Senior John Gorgol on being from Arizona and choosing Governor’s Academy: “My uncle and grandmother live about three minutes away from Govs. I learned about it from them. Having my grandmother nearby has been great because I can go over to her house every weekend and eat chicken.”

John’s college plans: “I am going to go to Babson. It’s a great business school. I will be playing basketball. I met with some of the players and I felt like I was already part of the team.”

Coach Sanders: “We’re a talented young team so some of our seniors have had to sacrifice playing time to the younger kids. They have made it work. They are all captains for us. I wanted to send them out on a high note tonight.”

Governor’s box

Nobles box

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

Zach Clough

Will Batchelder past Marc Garraud

Will Batchelder

Midcourt scramble

Marc Garraud

Liam Dunfee

Holden Symonds

Gov’s team with seniors and parents

Duke Ferrara

Channing Bryant (11 points)

Brett Cosby from the corner

Brendan McNamara

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Filed under Governor's Academy, Nobles

Tagged as Brett Cosby, Channing Bryant, Eljay Morris, Jason Mahoney, John Gorgol, Zach Clough

January 25, 2020 · 9:14 pm

Governors Academy defeats Groton School 79-71 – Will Batchelder 28 points

Will Batchelder (28 points) dribbles out of trouble

Nate Salander (25 points) for Groton

(Byfield MA) Governors Academy was playing their third game in four days…….and it showed.

“We looked like a young, tired team out there,” said Govs coach Michael Shelton afterwards.

But the Govs were able to pull themselves together enough to catch and hold off Groton, 79-71, on Saturday afternoon.

Will Batchelder led Governors (10-5) with twenty-eight points.

Nate Salander paced the Zebras (5-8) with twenty-five.

Drew Sachs (10 points)

“We had two good days of practice and we executed the game plan,” said Groton coach Harold Francis. “Sometimes it doesn’t show on the scoreboard.”

Early on the scoreboard confirmed that the Zebras had come to play. They had a 27-22 lead with four minutes left in the first half after a Rami Hahami (14 points) layup.

The Govs followed with their best collection of offense in the entire game. They put twelve unanswered points in place and 2 ½ minutes later were ahead, 34-27.

Will Batchelder started the scoring streak with an end-to-end drive. Three’s by Drew Sachs (10 points) and Will followed. Holden Symonds (18 points) added a layup and John Gorgol made two free throws.

Coach Shelton mixed in a zone defense during his team’s run of nice offense.

Govs coach Michael Shelton

“We thought that by changing the tempo we could force them to shoot from outside,” said Coach Shelton, “and steal a few possessions.”

The Zebras tallied the only points the rest of the half and trailed only 32-30.

In the second half the teams were tied twice early on before Governors took the lead for good.

The Govs broke from a 39-39 tie with a run of seven straight points. A jumper by Kalu Anya (10 points) started it. Drew Sachs then drained a three assisted by Will Batchelder. Prettiest play of the game may have been what happened next. A Groton drive to the hoop was blocked by 6-6 Kalu Anya. Kalu blocked the shot, secured the rebound and fed ahead to a breaking Will Batchelder for a layup.

This surge put Governors in front (46-39) with 12 ½ minutes left.

The scoring picked up for both teams, but Groton needed stops to get closer and on this afternoon they couldn’t do it.

Junior Nate Salander

Nate Salander had fourteen points, including two triples, during the final 12+ minutes. Caleb Coleman (13 points) added nine points including an off-balanced triple in the closing minute.

“We had to fight against adversity today,” said Will Batchelder afterwards. “We underestimated them and once they started playing good, we picked it up. At the end we all came together.”

Will made shots from long range (four 3’s) and was able to get to the basket.

“He’s a good kid,” said Coach Francis. “We knew about him and tried our best to deny him the ball. But you know what, good players find ways to make it happen and he did.”

Coach Shelton: “Will is an absolute gym rat. He’s a coach’s dream because he puts so much energy into the game of basketball. He puts in the work in the unseen hours like nobody I’ve ever seen in coaching. We’re looking for him to put the ball in the basket at a high level. When he wants to pass, he’s excellent at that as well.”

Sophomore Will Batchelder

Will has scholarship offers from two D1 schools (George Mason & Brown) already with several others showing interest. Not bad for a sophomore!

Junior Nate Salander was impressive for Groton.

“We had a spy on him,” said Coach Shelton.

“Nate has been in our program for a long time,” said Coach Francis. “He has gotten better every year.”

Season so far?

Coach Francis: “It’s a season I’m proud of. Our guys play for each other. Our chemistry has been great. I do wish, however, that the wins and losses columns were a little different.”

Coach Harold Francis (Groton)

Coach Shelton: “Our team is young and many of them are experiencing the NEPSAC for the first time. It’s a different speed and pace and the players are older and stronger. We have a ways to go to solidify ourselves for the post-season.”

Amesbury High School boys basketball had representatives in the crowd.

Groton’s Caleb Coleman has a football scholarship to Princeton.

Is it important? Who knows, but this is where a blogger has freedoms that newspaper writers don’t have. I work for Hoffman Driving School. In that capacity I have given Will Batchelder several driving lessons. We briefly discussed driving post-game because he will be taking his road test in February. “I’m a little better at this (basketball) than I am at driving,” he admitted. I won’t argue that!

Scoring totals:

Groton (71 points) Caleb Coleman 13, Rami Hahami 14, Henry Haskell 2, Matthew Kandel 10, Obinna Nwaokoro 7, Nate Salander 25.

Governors (79 points) Will Batchelder 28, Drew Sachs 10, Jason Mahoney 1, Peyton O’Leary 6, Liam Dunfree 2, Kalu Anya 10, John Gorgol 3, Holden Symonds 18.

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

Rami Hahami (14 points) drives

Peyton O’Leary

On the floor

Obinna Nwaokoro

Matthew Kandel (10 points) floats in the lane

Kalu Anya at the rim

Kalu Anya (10 points)

John Gorgol and Nate Salander

Jason Mahoney

Jack Pedreschi and Matthew Kandel

Henry Haskell in Govs traffic

Will Batchelder shoots free throws

Will Batchelder and Caleb Coleman

Caleb Coleman has a football scholarship to Princeton

Aroon Sankoh and Caleb Coleman

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Filed under Governor's Academy, Groton

Tagged as Caleb Coleman, Drew Sachs Kalu Anya, Holden Symonds, Matthew Kandel, Nate Salander, Rami Hahami, Will Batchelder

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

April 2, 2014 · 9:49 pm

Governor’s Academy runs winning streak to eighteen defeating Pingree 12-0

All smiles around Courtney Cashman after her grand slam in the fifth inning.

Sarah Dupere (two-hitter with seven strikeouts)

(Hamilton) That’s eighteen straight for the Lady Govs softball team.

Governor’s Academy defeated Pingree, 12-0, in a nonleague game held on Pingree’s dry field on Wednesday afternoon in the season opener for both teams.

Tough opponent for the Highlanders as they had to face senior pitcher Sarah Dupere (twice MVP in the Independent School League). Sarah struck out seven and allowed only two flare hits.

Sarah might have had more K’s, and I suppose Pingree might have had more hits, if the game wasn’t suddenly ended after 5 1/2 innings. The Pingree scoreboard had the teams in the 7th inning when it should have been the 6th inning. Whatever, the unscheduled ending kept both coaches from using more reserves which was unfortunate.

The Govs not only got good pitching but their hitting wasn’t too shabby either. They certainly didn’t drive over from Byfield to take walks. They only had two. The Lady Govs had twelve hits off of Pingree starter Christina Chalmers.

The biggest hit for GA was a grand slam by sophomore Courtney Cashman in GA’s six-run fifth inning. Courtney’s blast cleared the fence in left center. Courtney hit another ball just as hard in the first inning but it was straight at Pingree centerfielder Maria Garbarino.

Christina Chalmers

Sarah Dupere not only did damage with her arm but also with her bat. The GA leadoff batter (going to Gettysburg College) had three hits (two singles and a double) and scored three runs. Sarah’s only out was on a hard grounder that pitcher Christina Chalmers made a nice play on after it caromed off her leg.

Pingree (11-6 last year) had their best chance in the second inning. Kelsey Dion walked and Hannah Stasiuk flared a single down the rightfield line. Both runners moved into scoring position before Sarah Dupere got a groundout by Maria Garbarino to end the threat.

The Govs picked up three in the first inning. Senior Ashlyn Bedard (2 hits/2 runs/2 RBI) beat out a hit to shortstop driving in Sarah Dupere. Later in the same inning, junior Devyn McHugh singled to center bringing in teammates Ashlyn Bedard and Carli Citrano.

The three-time defending ISL champs put up another 3-spot in the second inning. Cassie Hanlon’s double scored Sarah Dupere. Courtney Cashman brought Cassie home and then Ashlyn Bedard (going to WPI) did the same for Courtney with a single.

Cassie Hanlon (2 rbi, 2 hits, 2 runs)

Governor’s double their score in the fifth inning. The big shot was Courtney Cashman’s grand slam but Cassie Hanlon and Carli Citrano also had RBIs.

Jill Witwicki had Pingree’s other hit.

The Highlanders had two flare hits down the first baseline but otherwise did not get the ball into the outfield. That’s dominating pitching!

The next game (weather permitting) for Pingree is on Saturday (1PM) at Buckingham Browne & Nichols in Cambridge.

The Govs will be at St. George’s (Newport RI) on Saturday (1:30PM) looking to extend that winning streak. Last loss was on May 19th of 2012 against Phillips Exeter.

Pingree senior third baseman Gabby Munoz has a softball scholarship to Holy Cross. I saw her play for a very good Rockport team in the Cape Ann League.

freshman Chloe Quigley fields a grounder

Cassie Hanlon and Courtney Cashman made the ISL All-League team last season.

Courtney and Carli Citrano were starters on the Govs’ basketball team.

Pingree is in the Eastern Independent League (EIL).

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

Courtney Cashman

Gabby Munoz

Gabby Munoz tries to catch a popup as Haley Sabino looks to help

Sarah Dupere pitches

Third baseman Ashlyn Bedard camps under a popup

Coach Scott Kingsbury sends Sarah Dupere home as the ball reaches the fence

Hannah Stasiuk and Maria Garbarino get together on a fly ball

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Tagged as Ashlyn Bedard, Cassie Hanlon, Courtney Cashman, Gabby Munoz, Sarah Dupere

February 26, 2014 · 9:57 pm

Governor’s Academy reaches NEPSAC Class B semifinals with 45-36 win over Lawrence Academy

Action during the GA/LA quarterfinals game

Courtney Cashman (17 points) tries to shoot over Gabrielle Reuter (16 points)

(Byfield MA) Twelve days ago, the Lawrence Academy girls hung on at Byfield for a, 37-36, win over Governor’s Academy. The rematch today figured to be a close game and it was.

Governor’s Academy controlled the beginning and the end this time around and that was enough to defeat Lawrence Academy, 45-36, in the NEPSAC girls’ quarterfinals on Wednesday afternoon.

The Govs (13-8) put ten straight points together to start this game but the Spartans recovered and even had the lead in the second half.

Lawrence Academy (12-9), however, did not recover from a 2 1/2 minute scoring drought at the end of the game. LA was within two points (38-36) but all seven points the rest of the way were GA free throws.

Governor’s Courtney Cashman paced her team with seventeen points. Courtney (sophomore) swished four straight free throws in the last two minutes.

Gabrielle Reuter drives

Sophomore Gabrielle Reuter led LA with sixteen points.

Governor’s advances to the Class B semi-finals at Tilton School. The #1 seed Rams are 19-3 and buried GA, 68-28, at Byfield on January 11th. Tilton won the Class B championship last year and has been in the championship game five straight times. They will be a formidable opponent for GA to say the least!

In my opinion, Lawrence Academy lost this game because of turnovers. They had twenty-seven miscues, by my figuring, and all of them were in the frontcourt. Way too many empty possessions because of dangerous passes by the visitors from Groton (MA).

The Spartans had five turnovers in the first 4+ minutes and no points. Meanwhile, GA junior Carli Citrano was cooking for the Govs. Carli started the scoring with a three and later had two inside baskets as the Govs raced off to a 10-0 start.

Carli Citrano looks to pass

The visitors were still down by ten (16-6) halfway through the half before a GA scoring drought and a run of nine straight LA points aligned themselves. Sophomore Gabrielle Reuter had a jump shot, layup, and free throw in the LA comeback segment. Lawrence Academy was within one (16-15) with 3 1/2 minutes to go in the first half.

GA led, 22-18, at the half.

Lawrence Academy pulled in front, 27-25, early in the second half on a run of six points featuring a fastbreak layup by Jalian Marquez and four free throws.

Carli Citrano reaches in against Elise Bojanowski

Two minutes later, Courtney Cashman converted her own miss and GA had the lead back (29-28) with eleven minutes left. The home team would stay ahead the rest of the game.

A layup by Gabrielle Reuter on a pass from Emily Pratt had LA behind just, 36-34, with 6 1/2 minutes remaining.

The GA lead was still only two (38-36) with 2 1/2 minutes left. I was anticipating another one-point game between these two teams. It never happened.

The Spartans couldn’t make a shot and were forced to foul to stop the clock. The Govs hit seven of ten pressure free throws to ice this one for the #4 seed.

Both teams had the same record and LA had defeated the Govs during the season yet Governor’s still got the home game. Why? They had defeated better opponents.

Some GA boys’ team arrived in a group to offer encouragement to the girls’ team.

Emily Pratt and Isa Berzansky

The unsung hero for the Govs was Isa Berzansky. At some point in the second half, Isa took over defending Emily Pratt and did a terrific job. Emily struggled to get shots off and had only two points in the second half.

The Govs ended up with twenty-one turnovers.

Both Gabrielle Reuter and Emily Pratt were chosen for the NEPSAC Class B East All-Star team.

Is there a faster combo than the look-alike Ham sisters? When seniors Jackie (#2) and Kendall (#3) are on the floor at the same time, mistaken identity becomes a strong likelihood. I’m reaching for excuses for messing up their stats!

Governor’s Academy box

Lawrence Academy box

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

Jackie Ham goes for the block against Tate Jordan

Jalian Marquez looks to shoot

Tate Jordan lines up a free throw

Kendall Ham dribbles

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Tagged as Carli Citrano, Courtney Cashman, Emily Pratt, Gabrielle Reuter, Isa Berzansky, Jackie Ham, Kendall Ham

February 1, 2014 · 9:04 pm

Cold shooting Pingree falls to Governor’s Academy 53-46

Kam Nobles sends a pass to Matt Peart for a layup

Matt Peart (15 points) shoots over Alonzo Jackson and Kyle Lentini

(Byfield MA) Governor’s Academy took the lead for good with 7+ minutes left and defeated Pingree School, 53-46, on Saturday afternoon in non-league action.

There were five lead changes in the first half and the Highlanders (12-7) had a slim, 29-27, advantage at the half.

The turnover-prone Gov’s (13 in the first half) survived in the first half because junior Matt Peart (15 points) was a force at both ends. Matt blocked shots and intimidated Pingree penetrators while getting eleven of his points in the first sixteen minutes.

Matt Peart converted a rebound to tie the score at 35-35 with just under twelve minutes left in the second half. However, Kyle Lentini (16 points) was part of a Pingree push that had them ahead, 40-37, with 10:12 remaining.

Last year the Gov’s won, 58-57, at Pingree and this game looked, at this point, as if it was heading in the same direction.

It didn’t work out that way.

Justin Assad and Nick Osarenren (10 points)

Sometimes there’s a basket in the game that turns the tide. I think it was the go-ahead-for-good basket by freshman Nick Osarenren. The Govs were very patient on most of their second-half possessions but on this key one, they were almost a little too patient. Nick ended up with the ball on the left baseline and with everyone on the GA bench yelling for him to shoot he did and swished a jump shot as the 35-second clock went off.

Nick’s shot put GA (4-10) in front, 41-40, with 7+ minutes left. The Highlanders had no scoring answers the rest of the way. The visitors from Hamilton made just one outside shot (Justin Assad) in the second half.

The Govs put an 8-2 segment together and increased their advantage to 49-42 with just under three minutes left.

Pingree could not get closer than five points the rest of the way even though GA made only two of seven free throws in the final minute.

Kam Nobles (11 points) tries to go between Erik Fyrer and Griffin Beal

I was impressed with the play of GA point guard Kam Nobles. Kam was the stabilizer against a persistent Pingree press and was the key to GA’s clock-eating offense down the stretch. Kam collected eleven points including two 3’s.

Johnny Spears was back for Pingree and made a number of passes that “wowed” the sizable crowd.

Pingree benefited from a scorebook miscue early in the game. Kyle Lentini ended up with a couple of extra free throws as a result.

Kyle had Pingree’s only three in the game.

Kyle Lentini (16 points) puts up a shot

Justin Assad had twelve points for Pingree.

Pingree’s next game is at Providence Country Day School on Friday, February 7th.

Governor’s will be at Brooks in their next action on Wednesday (7PM).

Governor’s box

Pingree box

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

Johnny Spears tries to get between two defenders

Johnny Spears and Charles Odei

Justin Assad gets an open look

Matt Peart blocks the shot of Kyle Lentini

Erik Fyrer (#5) deflects a shot

heavy action under the basket

Pat Davis

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Filed under Governor's Academy, Pingree

Tagged as Johnny Spears, Kam Nobles, Kyle Lentini, Matt Peart, Nick Osarenren

January 23, 2014 · 9:41 pm

Fast start propels Governor’s Academy past St. George’s 53-36

Katie Barrand hits one of three early 3-point shots by the Govs

Courtney Cashman (14 points) led all scorers

(Byfield MA) Governor’s Academy overwhelmed St. George’s in the first six minutes and the visitors from Middletown (RI) never recovered losing, 53-36, on Thursday night in an Independent School League game.

The Gov’s (6-5) totaled five 3’s in the entire game but three of them, by Carli Citrano, Courtney Cashman, and Katie Barrand, were made in the first 3+ minutes.

So by the time the Dragons (6-6) put a point on the board (Meggie O’Connor free throw) the home team already had nine points.

GA’s Jackie Ham followed with an old-fashioned three-point play and Courtney Cashman added a layup. Those scores put the Gov’s ahead, 14-1, in the first six minutes.

The Dragons had five turnovers in the early going.

Carli Citrano (13 points) looks for an opening

Sophomore Courtney Cashman (14 points) drilled a halftime, buzzer-beating trey that started GA on another nine-point run. Courtney later started the second half with a layup and junior Carli Citrano (13 points) connected twice from in close. Out of that surge the Gov’s led, 39-18, two minutes into the second half.

I anticipated that things would get worse but instead, led by sophomore Logan Amaral (10 points), St. George’s chopped eleven points off the GA lead in the next eight minutes. A layup by junior captain Lane Davis had the Dragons within ten (43-33) with 5:46 to play.

However, the visitor’s hopes of getting closer were quickly squelched as Carli Citrano drained a very long three and Kendall Ham followed with two free throws. Back went the lead to fifteen points and St. George’s couldn’t recover the rest of the way.

Sophomore Logan Amaral (10 points) shoots a jump shot

Plenty of time for the reserves of both teams in the last 2+ minutes.

Neither team was particularly good at the free throw line. GA was 6-for-14 while SG was 10-for-23. Some of the misses were on the front end of one-and-one’s.

The Gov’s defeated St. George’s twice last season. The second time was in the quarterfinals of the New England Championships.

It seemed strange not to see Kat Fogarty on the floor for GA. Kat is now at Division 1 Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Kat’s new team is now 13-5. Kat is averaging sixteen minutes per game for the Red Foxes. She averaged twenty points and twelve rebounds at Governor’s.

No doubt St. George’s wasn’t missing Kat Fogarty. Kat had thirty rebounds in the Gov’s 51-48 win exactly a year ago in Rhode Island.

The Gov’s were 19-6 last year while St. George’s was 10-9.

Both teams are in Class B of NEPSAC.

This game was originally scheduled for Wednesday but the snow in southern New England forced the postponement.

Governor’s Academy box

St. George’s box

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

Logan Amaral eyes the hoop

Lane Davis gets two

Meggie OConnor looks to pass while Kendall Ham defends

Sterling Etheridge and Aya Nagai

Kendall Ham tries to save

looking for a rebound

Jackie Ham (#2) gets to the basket

loose ball

coaches Erin OConnell and Katie Titus

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Filed under Governor's Academy, St. George's School

Tagged as Carli Citrano, Courtney Cashman, Jackie Ham, Kendall Ham, Logan Amaral, Meggie O'Connor

December 11, 2013 · 10:14 pm

Jon Siu (20 points) and Aaron Swenson (16 points) lead Middlesex past Governor’s Academy 56-40

Jon Siu (20 points) led all scorers

Aaron Swenson flies to the hoop for Middlesex

(Byfield MA) Middlesex School started fast in each half and defeated Governor’s Academy, 56-40, on Wednesday evening in Independent School League action.

The visitors from Concord (MA) scored the first seven points in the first half and the first eight points in the second half. It wasn’t hard to see where this one got away from the Govs.

Jon Siu (20 points) and Aaron Swenson (16 points) had big games for the Zebras (3-1) as the team won its opening ISL game.

Jon is a terrific leaper and hurt GA from the outside. Aaron might be 5-7 but he could certainly get to the basket which he did six different times.

Jon was responsible for all eight of Middlesex’s fast-start points in the second half.

Matthew Peart (22) blocks Peter Beatty (12)

Governor’s Academy (0-2) had trouble making shots the entire game. Many of the GA attempts were from in close but on this evening just didn’t fall.

The Govs recovered nicely from a 13 turnover first half to commit only five miscues in the second half.

Middlesex had their 13 turnovers in the second half but still outscored the Govs by nine (33-24) in the second half. It’s fair to say that the chances were there for GA but they just didn’t cash in.

Middlesex jumped off 7-0 on two layups by Aaron Swenson and a three by Ben Cherington. The Zebras had a ten-point lead (23-13) before Daniel Healey threw in a prayer at the half-time buzzer.

Jon Siu did all the scoring in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the second half and the visitors soared ahead, 31-16. GA got within double figures once (46-37) with 2 1/2 minutes left but couldn’t get closer.

Michael Osarenren (32), Jon Siu (33), and Patrick Davis (15) look for a rebound

Middlesex next plays on Friday night (6:15PM) against BB&N.

The Govs travel to Roxbury Latin on Friday night (7PM) looking for their first win.

The Govs defeated Middlesex, 65-57, at Concord last season.

Aaron Swenson made the All-ISL first team last season. He had an 18PPG average. He scored 42 points in one game and had 15 rebounds in another.

The Zebras were 15-9 in 2012-13.

The first thing I noticed when I entered the GA gym was the new lights. What a pleasant difference. Now if they can just get the lights in the scoreboard fixed!