Category Archives: Ipswich
Pictures from Newburyport Pentucket Ipswich outdoor track meet
Filed under Ipswich, Newburyport, Pentucket
Pentucket scoring runs get them past Ipswich (49-30) for the Division 3 North title
Pentucket Regional High School – Division 3 North champs
Pentucket seniors (Sarah Higgins, Tori Lane, Molly McDonough, and Leigh McNamara) head for the D3 North trophy.
(Lowell) Pentucket did in Ipswich with two lengthy scoring runs and defeated the Tigers, 49-30, on Saturday morning at the Tsongas Center.
The Sachems’ (#3 seed) win gives them the Division 3 North title and a trip to the TD North Garden on Tuesday (4:15 PM) to face D3 South champs, Fairhaven, in the state D3 semi-finals.
Pentucket (21-4) rolled to 9-0 lead in Run #1 before Tiger senior Shannon McFayden hit a long one over four minutes into the first period.
A Julia Davis free throw midway through the second quarter had Ipswich (18-5) still in contention, 14-10.
There was no recovery, however, for the Tigers from Run #2. This one lasted 4 ½ minutes, stretching into the third quarter, and totaled twenty unanswered points. That’s right, twenty! It put Pentucket ahead, 34-10, with plenty of second half left but certainly not enough time for Ipswich to make things interesting trailing by that much.
Coley Viselli sees an open lane
In the big run, Pentucket’s organized offense turned up five layups (Tess Nogueira two, one each from Coley Viselli, Alex Moore, and Sarah Higgins). Coley had two free throws, and Sarah had a steal and a score. The real dagger shots in this run were two Alex Moore three’s in the last thirty seconds of the first half. Her last one was a prayer from in front of the Ipswich bench that was arc-less but went in on a line.
All this talk of Pentucket offense tells only half the story. Their trapping defense was equally impressive during this segment forcing four Tiger turnovers and limiting open looks.
Julia Davis, Tiger’s top scorer, was injured just before halftime and didn’t play in the second half. Julia slid off the playing surface chasing a missed shot to got a knee injury for her efforts.
Julia Davis – did not play in the second half
Minus their best rebounder and top scorer, the Tigers were severely handicapped in the second half. However, the Tigers did put a couple of 4th quarter runs together. One went for nine points and the other eight.
In the nine straight, there was a layup by Bridget Curran, two freebies from Shannon McFayden, and a long one from Natalie Soliozy.
The eight straight were all from freshman Masey Zegarowski. She hit from all the scoring spots (triple, jumper, layup, free throw) putting on quite a show.
One of the best matchups late was the two team’s freshman starters (Kelsi McNamara and Masey Zegarowski) defending each other. Those two should see a lot of each other over the next three years, I suspect.
The leading scorers for Pentucket were; Sarah Higgins (12), Alex Moore (10), Coley Viselli (9), and Tess Nogueira (8).
Masey Zegarowski paced Ipswich with eight.
Pentucket has now won thirteen straight. Their opponent on Monday (Fairhaven) has won ten of their last eleven. Fairhaven was the #2 seed in the D3 South. They are 21-2 and from the South Coast Conference.
Credit the Ipswich student section for continuing to support their team long after the outcome was in doubt. (I do not condone obscene chanting and never have. Positive team support always sounds good to me.)
(All the pictures above and below enlarge considerably if you click on them.)
Natalie Soliozy shoots a three
Freshmen Masey Zegarowski and Kelsi McNamara
Brigid OFlynn defends
Bridget Curran gets two
loose ball
Julia Davis defends Tess Nogueira
Ipswich student section
Julia Davis (22 points) leads Ipswich past Bedford (46-38) into the D3 North finals
Julia Davis (22 points) found ways to get to the basket.
Tiger celebration
(Danvers) Ipswich had the lead for good two minutes in and never trailed as they defeated Bedford, 46-36, to gain the finals of Division 3 North on Wednesday night at St. John‘s Prep.
The #4 seed Tigers (18-4) will face the winner of the Pentucket/Swampscott matchup on Saturday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.
Junior Julia Davis (22 points) was the difference maker for the Tigers. The 5-10 post player overwhelmed one-on-one coverage, scoring eleven in each half. Also trying to stop her ended up putting Bedford into serious foul trouble. Two of the Bucs best inside players (Elisabeth Watson and Sam Cowan) were not available for the final 3 ½ minutes because they had fouled out.
Amanda Cohen shoots from in front of the Ipswich student section.
#1 seed Bedford (19-3) may never have led but they were within a point in the fourth quarter before the game slipped away from them. The crowd noise was nonstop and maybe the fact that Ipswich has had fourteen road games helped them handle things better down the stretch.
A seven-point run by Ipswich (Nyra Constant jumper and free throw plus two Julia Davis layups) boosted their lead to 32-22 midway through the third quarter. They looked to be in command but the Dual County champs rallied to make things very exciting in the final frame.
Despite missing four free throws, the Lady Bucs put a 10-2 segment up and only trailed 34-32 early in the fourth quarter. Free throws by Alaina Greaney, a layup by Jennifer Zolla, and long ones by Kristen Bullock and Amanda Cohen produced the Bedford points. The Tigers only answering points were a jump shot by Julia Davis from Brigid O’Flynn.
A Julia Davis (she had eight straight Tiger points) spin in the lane put Ipswich ahead by four (36-32) but three free throws by the Bucs made this a one-point game (36-35) with 4 ½ minutes to go. Anyone’s game, for sure!
The rest of the way was a nightmare for Bedford. Their only points were a triple (Jennifer Zolla) and that came over three minutes of playing time later.
In the meantime, Ipswich had a converted rebound by Caroline Soucy, a free throw by Julia Davis, and a Julia jump shot from Caroline Soucy. The lead became six (41-35) with 2 ½ left.
Jennifer made the triple and it was a one possession game (41-38) with 1:18 to go. Bedford was one shot away from a tie.
Shannon McFayden – five made free throws down the stretch
But Ipswich senior Shannon McFadden (11 points) was the only one to score thereafter hitting free throws (she made five) in every Tiger possession while Bedford launched long ones hoping for the quick fix that never came. Their long ones rimmed out and Ipswich was able to come away with a 46-38 win.
The Bedford full-court pressure was effective – twenty-two Ipswich turnovers.
In the half court, both teams flocked to the ball while heavily defending the strong-side post.
The schools brought plenty of colorful, student noise-makers. You know that it is noisy when you can’t hear individuals.
The Swampscott girls team and Pentucket coach John McNamara were on hand. Pentucket plays Swampscott at Beverly on Thursday night. I also saw Masco coach Bob Romeo in the house.
Bedford was a 4-16 team last year. This year they won the Dual County Small division for the first time ever. New coach Matt Ryan had plenty to do with the turnaround by successfully installing pressure defense into the mix at Bedford.
Bedford had won thirteen straight before the Ipswich loss.
Ipswich has won seven of their last eight. The loss? 59-57 to Swampscott on February 20th.
Sophomore Sam Cowan (eight points) led Bedford scorers while Elisabeth Watson had seven points. The Lady Bucs certainly missed having those two on the floor during the season-on-the-line last 3 ½ minutes.
The Bedford defense did a great job of containing freshman Masey Zegarowski (4 points) with their high zone but in the process opened up opportunities for Julia Davis to work one-on-one inside.
(All of the pictures above and below enlarge significantly if you click on them.)
Kristen Baratta
Sam Cowan (eight points) puts up a three
Caroline Soucy tries a three as IHS coach Mandy Zegarowski watches
Masey Zegarowski
Kristen Baratta, Kristen Bullock, Julia Davis, and Alaina Greaney
Elisabeth Watson drives
Gallagher/Fyrer lead Ipswich past Georgetown (55-51) in boys basketball
Brenden Gallagher steps back after making the first of two clutch free throws.
Erik Fyrer – 21 points
(Georgetown) Brenden Gallagher had an assist and two free throws in the last thirty seconds to help Ipswich get past Georgetown, 55-51, in non-league action on Monday night at GHS.
The Tigers defeated the Royals on January 13th (61-41) at Ipswich but this one was much more of a struggle. The home team went down by eleven (34-23) early in the third quarter but fought all the way back to a 40-40 tie early in the final quarter.
Ipswich went up by six a couple of times after that (48-42 & 50-44) before three straight Tyler Wade assisted baskets knotted the score at 50-50 with ninety seconds left. During the Royal comeback, 6-6 Pat Bjork twice rushed back to intimidate Ipswich shooters (Dan O’Flynn and Matt Jaeger) on breakaways.
Erik Fyrer (21 points) and Cesar Miranda-Black (14 points) traded single free throws (51-51) before Erik cut down the lane and received a perfect pass from Brenden Gallagher for the go-ahead layin with thirty second left.
A Pat Bjork miss and Jon Fierro’s block of Cesar Miranda-Black’s rebound attempt gave the ball back to the Tigers with thirteen seconds left. Brenden Gallagher was immediately fouled and made both freebies despite plenty of noise from the Georgetown student section.
Pat Bjork (#31) hustles back on defense
Now up four (55-51) the Tiger defense put heavy defense on Tyler Wade and he wasn’t able to get off a quick three instead had to settle for a wild three that ended the contest.
Erik Fyrer (21 points) had a big game. The 6-4 sophomore converted six offensive rebounds into points. He also had a steal on an inbounds pass for an easy layup.
Senior Jon Fierro had three blocks including the one very late as G’Town tried to tie the score.
Brenden Gallagher (8 points and 3 assists) defended Tyler Wade into a quiet (for him) nine points. Tyler had seventeen in the first meeting.
Cesar Miranda-Black (14 points) did his damage in close.
Georgetown was 12-for-21 shooting free throws – Ipswich 11-for-15.
Christian Gesualdi made the Royals only 3. Matt Jaeger and Dan O’Flynn (10 points) had long ones for the Tigers.
Georgetown ( 1-6 in the Cape Ann League / 4-10 overall ) is at North Reading tomorrow (Tuesday). The Royals have lost eight of their last nine.
Ipswich ( 2-5 in the CAL / 4-9 overall ) has now won three of their last five. They host Lynnfield on February 3rd.
(All of the pictures above and below enlarge significantly if you click on them.)
Georgetown cheerleaders
Dan OFlynn and Christian Gesualdi
Cesar Miranda-Black
Tyler Wade and Brenden Gallagher
Mike Bjork and Tyler Hale
Jon Fierro goes for block
Erik Fyrer pressures inbounder Ben Warren
Filed under Georgetown, Ipswich
Super Start Earns Ipswich a 70-54 Win Over Amesbury in Boys Basketball
Erik Fyrer attempting layup. The 6-4 sophomore finished with twenty-one points and sixteen rebounds.
Brenden Gallagher – 12 points
Dan OFlynn – 18 points
(Ipswich) I am not sure that the Ipswich Tigers could play any better.
The Tigers demolished Amesbury, 70-54, in a Cape Ann League game on Friday night at Ipswich.
Ipswich (2-5 Cape Ann League / 3-9 overall) put an excellent everything on the Indians for 1 ½ quarters and presto the visitors were looking at a 31-7 deficit.
You want defense. The Tiger pressure forced eleven Amesbury first half turnovers.
You want scoring. Ipswich had 6-4 Erik Fyrer (21 points) dominating in the paint while Brenden Gallagher (12 points with three 3’s) and Dan O’Flynn (18 points with four 3’s) stroked accurately from long range. It was quite a show.
Amesbury had defeated Ipswich in the first meeting (60-56) in overtime and had won three of their last five so there wasn’t any certainty even with a 31-7 lead that the Tigers (losers of seven of their last eight) could hold the lead. But they did.
Mike Zelinsky (16 points) in the lane
Amesbury (1-5 in CAL / 4-10 overall) actually “won” the last 2 ½ quarters (47-39) mostly via the long ball – they made nine of them. However, that early deficit was way too much to recover from.
Ipswich would get the lead to 38-11 on a Louie Galanis triple from Brenden Gallagher with less than two minutes in the first half. Early in the final quarter a couple of 3’s by Dan O’Flynn pushed the Tigers ahead, 58-32.
The Indians answered with two minutes of their best basketball, running ten straight thanks to 3’s from Curran O’Connor and Tommy Connors and layups by Matt Talbot and Jack Fortin. This rush of points caused Tiger coach Alan LaRoche to call a timeout, as his team’s twenty-six point lead had shrunk to sixteen.
I heard shouting during the timeout and the Tigers responded in the next minute with a jumper from Tyler Hale and a three from Dan O’Flynn, both hoops assisted by Erik Fyrer. This put the lead back into the comfort zone and both team’s reserves finished out the last four minutes.
Erik Fyrer had a terrific game. In the first meeting, Erik got into foul trouble and played short minutes. Not this time. The sophomore was a big part of the Tigers’ fast start, collecting ten points early on. He owned the boards too, grabbing sixteen rebounds (Thanks, Mitch MacDonald) and blocked several shots. The normal righty showed a good left hand on one inside move.
Matt Talbot (14 points) in Ipswich traffic
Mike Zelinksy (16), Matt Talbot (14), and Tommy Connors (11) led the Amesbury scorers.
Mike tossed up a no-look, backhanded layup that had no business going in……..but did.
The Ipswich student section and the Amesbury student section did their best to out-do each other. Tough for the Amesbury kids since their team trailed big early and never really threatened to overtake the Tigers.
Ipswich next plays at Georgetown on January 30th. I saw Ipswich defeat G’Town in the first meeting.
Amesbury gets Lynnfield at home on January 31st.
(The pictures above and below will all enlarge if you click on them.) 
where is the ball
Erik Fyrer and Curran OConnor
Dan OFlynn looks to pass
Erik Fyrer block of Matt Talbot shot
Louie Galanis draws charge from Devlin Gobeil
Tommy Connors
Wire-to-Wire 61-41 Win for Ipswich over Georgetown in Boys Basketball
Tyler Wade (17 points) dives after a ball going out of bounds.
Dan OFlynn (15 points) drives – Matt Gott (#40) defends
(Ipswich) Ipswich halted a five-game losing streak with a never-trail, 61-41, win over Georgetown on Friday night at Ipswich in Cape Ann League action.
The Tigers (1-3 CAL / 2-7 overall) were quickly off 5-0 on an Erik Fyrer drive and a Louis Galanis triple and never looked back.
Ipswich boosted the lead to sixteen (37-21) three minutes into the third quarter on three straight Erik Fyrer hoops.
The Royals, however, have Tyler Wade and he led a G’Town response back into contention with an old-fashioned three, a layup, and an assist on Pat Bjork’s layup. That run left the Royals behind, 37-28, with two minutes left in the third quarter.
The next five minutes of play should be on the Ipswich season highlight film. Nice passes, triples, and assisted baskets all showed up as the Tigers dazzled with a 17-2 run and took the doubt out of this one, 54-30, with 4 ½ left.
Mike Scola and Dan O’Flynn handed out the assists while Brenden Gallagher registered two triples during this surge. Brenden also brought back the Bob Cousy (or is it Rondo?) flashbacks with a behind-the-back pass that sent Dan in for a layup he was fouled on.
Louis Galanis takes a turn at shadowing Tyler Wade.
For Georgetown (0-4 CAL / 3-6 overall), it was a frustrating fourth consecutive loss. Tyler Wade (17 points) was kept busy with a series of Tiger defenders and frequently set up teammates for shots that didn’t fall often enough. Equally excruciating for the Royals was missing seventeen of the thirty-three free throws they took.
GHS coach Mike Rowinski’s frustration boiled over two minutes into the second half when he pulled all five starters off the floor.
I saw Ipswich in their overtime loss at Amesbury earlier. The most improved player since then was Erik Fyrer. The 6-4 sophomore was foul prone and frustrated at Amesbury. In this one, he fouled less while blocking and rebounding more. He showed a nice touch around the basket collecting twelve points.
Guard Dan O’Flynn (15 points) led the Tigers in scoring getting all his points on layups and free throws.
The two teams will meet again at Georgetown (January 30th) in a nonleague game.
(The pictures above and below enlarge significantly if you click on them.)
Tyler Wade (17 points)
Erik Fyrer (12 points)
Dan OFlynn shirt pull
Sam Hurst-MacDonald putback
Matt Jaeger gets two
Georgetown clears bench
Christian Gesualdi gets two
Erik Fyrer blocks Tyler Wade shot
Filed under Georgetown, Ipswich
Ipswich Scores Twenty Straight in 62-40 Win Over Triton in Girls Basketball
Effie Markopoulos breaks away from the pack.
Freshman Masey Zegarowski paced Ipswich with eighteen points.
(Byfield) No surprises here even with a full moon.
Ipswich overwhelmed very inexperienced Triton, 62-40, on Monday night at Triton in Cape Ann League action.
Triton, now 2-6 overall and 0-2 in the Cape Ann League, has lost five straight. Four of those losses have been by twenty points or more. Beyond Jessica Canning (18 points) and Lauren Batter ton (9 points), this team is new to the varsity level of girls basketball.
Ipswich, 7-1 overall and 1-1 in the CAL, was a nightmare opponent for Triton having plenty of experienced players and motivation after a tough loss last game to Newburyport.
The Tigers crafted a seven-point run late in the first quarter into the start of the second quarter, and pulled away, 18-9. Free throws by Brigid O’Flynn and Masey Zegarowski (18 points) started the streak. A Julia Davis (12 points) layup (pass from Nyra Constant) and a Masey steal and layup finished it.
The Vikings found enough offense (several Jessica Canning baskets) to stay competitive (20-15) until 4:15 of the second quarter.
The rest of the half Ipswich played like the team that came in 6-1 and mixes an inside and outside offense as well as effective pressure defense. It all clicked for the Tigers for the rest of the half and they put up twenty unanswered points to run away, 40-15, at halftime.
Jessica Canning (18 points) in Ipswich traffic
During this strong run, Ipswich made 3’s (Masey Zegarowski & Nyra Constant), got Julia Davis going inside (2 baskets), and turned turnovers into layups down the other end. Impressive all-around display.
The second half was perfect for Ipswich coach Mandy Zegarowski because, with a big game ahead on Wednesday at home with Masconomet, she could rest the players who will be getting the long minutes versus the Chieftains.
It also worked well for Triton coach Karen Christian because her team could have some positive moments in the second half. One impressive Viking was Jessica Canning. She has a good outside shot.
2010-11 CAL All-Star Shannon McFayden took the opening tip in for an easy layup and never scored again in limited minutes. Her offense will be needed against Masco.
Triton travels to Lynnfield on Wednesday.
(The pictures above and below enlarge if you click on them.)
Molly Markos shoots
Lauren Batterton layup
Courtney Eramo shoots in Triton traffic
Coach Mandy Zegarowski & Coach Karen Christian
Jordan Morrissey layup
Lauren Batterton
Natalie Soliozy shoots
Molly Rowe (24 points) Leads Newburyport Past Ipswich 55-53 in Girls Basketball
Molly Rowe (24 points) dribbles past Caroline Soucy.
Beth Castantini (15 points) hit two free throws with twelve seconds left.
(Newburyport) The Newburyport girls surprised a whole bunch of folks as they upset Ipswich, 55-53, Friday night at NHS in Cape Ann League action.
Molly Rowe led the way for the Clippers (5-3) with twenty-four points including eleven straight free throws after missing her first two attempts.
Eight days ago, same place, same teams, Ipswich (6-1) had won easily, 46-27. A rematch seemed like a good opportunity for the Tigers to stretch their unbeaten streak to seven and the Clippers looked willing to do their part as they got down by ten early in the second quarter (16-6).
What happened next was unexpected. Instead of fading further away, the Clippers ran twelve unanswered points over the next four minutes to take a shocking, 18-16, lead with 2:42 left in the second period. Aly Leahy had a layup and Molly Rowe hit a jumper but the rest of the points were on 8-for-8 foul shooting.
The next ten minutes were entertaining, back-and-forth action, with eight lead changes, until Newburyport took the lead for good, 42-41, on two Molly Rowe free throws with thirty seconds left in the third quarter.
The Clippers extended that lead to five (51-46) on a daring three by Beth Castantini (15 points) with 1:24 left. Game over? Not quite! With defender Mary Pettigrew sidelined, Julia Davis (11 points) notched a layup and thirty seconds later Brigid O’Flynn (10 points) did the same thing. Now that Newburyport lead was only, 51-50, with plenty of time (twenty-eight seconds) left.
Julia Davis (32) layup late in the game.
If you want to pinpoint where the Clippers won this game, it was at the foul line the rest of the way. Molly Rowe got the first chance with 26 seconds left shooting one-and-one. How large were these when you’re only ahead by one? She makes both.
Aly Leahy then fouls out fouling Shannon McFayden. Shannon makes one of two – Newburyport 53-Ipswich 51 with nineteen seconds left.
Now it’s Beth Castantini’s turn to face the pressure with twelve seconds left, shooting one-and-one. She makes both. Brigid O’Flynn puts in a layup for Ipswich at the buzzer to close out the scoring.
This was clearly one of those games where you never had a clear sense of how it would end up………….until it ended up.
Credit Newburyport’s Mary Pettigrew for limiting the inside for the Tigers’ Julia Davis (11 points) and forcing the Tigers to launch long ones. Ipswich made five from out there but I’m guessing they took at least twenty 3’s, if not more.
Aly Leahy (10 points) layup
Aly Leahy (10 points) and Masey Zegarowski (10 points) were the best matchup to watch on both ends of the court – athletic, tireless, and adept at getting the ball into the front court.
This was a game with very few turnovers and many missed shots. The shooting exception was in the second period when Newburyport tallied 24 points and Ipswich 21.
There was game-long whining from both sidelines and stands. You know how partisan the complaining is when every call results in a noticeable negative reaction from one side or the other.
No question there were plenty of foul calls and foul shots. Newburyport missed ten free throws but made four straight in the final twenty-six seconds.
Newburyport next plays Lynnfield at home on Monday (7PM). Ipswich is at Triton on the same night (6:30PM).
(The pictures above and below enlarge if you click on them.)
Brigid OFlynn looks to shoot
Caroline Soucy shoots
loose ball
Masey Zegarowski (5) and Cady Bennett
Coach Mandy Zegarowski and the referee
Molly Rowe surrounded
Beth Castantini three
Lily Donovan drives
Filed under Ipswich, Newburyport
Ipswich Girls Bury Danvers 51-28 with Strong Second Half in Basketball Opener
(Ipswich) There will be games when the 2011-12 Ipswich girls basketball team will miss graduated (to Dartmouth) Hannah O’Flynn. Wednesday night in the team’s opener at Roundy Gymnasium against Danvers (0-2) wasn’t one of them.
The Tigers routed the Falcons, 51-28, showing plenty of positives on both ends of the court.
The visitors hung around for a quarter thanks to a couple of 3’s from Kasey Sherry (8 points) and actually led, 11-10, after the first period.
The rest of the way the Falcons passed into turnovers trying to go inside and had few good looks from the outside thanks to a pressuring/trapping Ipswich defense.
Their 25-19 halftime deficit enlarged to 40-22 after three quarters and Ipswich cruised home from there in the final stanza.
Danvers made just two field goals in the ENTIRE second half. Minus graduated star Kellie MacDonald (Williams College) and returning star (Sarah Palazola) the Falcons could be in for a long season unless they develop some scorers in a hurry.
Julia Davis pulls down a rebound for Ipswich.
Ipswich received scoring from all their starters with senior Shannon McFayden leading the way with fifteen points, including three long ones.
The 2011-12 Tigers aren’t shy about firing up from long range but they also are persistent about getting the ball inside to junior Julia Davis. Julia (10 points) had a nice touch around the basket and capitalized on single coverage when defenders got overly interested in the Tigers’ long-range shooters in this game.
I got my first look at freshman Masey Zegarowski (7 points). Wow! We’re talking smooth with the basketball and a tireless defender. Yes, she is Coach Mandy Zegarowski’s daughter.
The Ipswich trapping pressure was especially effective in the second half. Sometimes it forced turnovers and other times it forced the Falcons to play much faster than they wanted to. The only concern will be fouls. How good is the Ipswich bench? One late arrival to that bench was Natalie Soliozy, fresh from a concert down the hall.
Molly Markos may have had her father (Steve) recalling Celtic Sam Jones with her two-pointer off the backboard.
Hannah O’Flynn was in attendance on break from Dartmouth.
Coach Gregg Dollas (Newburyport) was on hand for a look at the Tigers.
Yes, there are precise details missing from this report. Instead of a written script of the game I decided to try a voice-activated digital recording. Near total failure!
(The pictures enlarge if you click on them.)
Molly Markos (23) & Sarah Potter (4)
Bridget Curran (30) looks for lob pass
Julia Davis fronts Emily McNulty (10)
Nyra Constant shoots 3
Masey Zegarowski gets instructions
Nyra Constant draws charge on Delaney Zecha.
McClelland Miscellanea 
