Category Archives: Masconomet

January 29, 2012 · 10:46 pm

Solid ending gets Pentucket past Masconomet (57-54) in girls basketball

Coley Viselli (16 points) made three free throws in the last fourteen seconds to seal the Pentucket win.

Chelsea Nason (17 points) connected on five triples.

(Topsfield)  Before a sizable Sunday afternoon crowd, Pentucket turned a strong final two minutes into a, 57-54, win over Masconomet in a matchup between two of the best girls teams in the state.

Evenly matched?  How about eleven ties over the course of the game with five of them in the frantic last quarter?

After the last tie (47-47) with 2:54 left, Masco broke out with a triple by Chelsea Nason (17 points) and two Danielle Davis (9 points) free throws to get up by five (52-47) with 2:13 left.

Pentucket’s response won the game for them.  Two freebies by Sarah Higgins (she was an amazing 9-for-9 from the line), a driving layup by Alex Moore, and gutsy triple by Alex (from Kelsi McNamara) went unanswered by the Chieftains.  This consecutive action put the Sachems on top, 54-52, with thirty seconds left.

Masco’s Katie Hutchinson missed the front end of a one-and-one with fifteen seconds left.  Coley Viselli (16 points) took the rebound and was immediately fouled.  She made both free throws to stretch the Pentucket advantage to 56-52.

Coley Viselli shoots a three as Chelsea Nason defends

Brooke Stewart (8 points) drove the length of the court to close her team’s deficit to two (56-54) with six seconds left.  Coley Viselli received the inbounds pass and Chelsea Nason (5th foul) sent her to the foul line with five seconds left.

Coley missed the first and made the second.  Danielle Davis dribbled to midcourt before attempting a tying long one that went wide as time ran out.

If Chelsea Nason hadn’t fouled out she probably would have been the one taking the last shot.  She had connected on five 3’s during the game.

The foul shooting was excellent for both teams.  Pentucket made 21-of-25 while Masco hit 10-of-13.

The Chieftains started the second period with six unanswered points (21-15) before the Sachems strung thirteen unanswered back (28-21) over the next eight minutes of playing time stretching into the third quarter.

Chelsea Nason’s triple midway through the third quarter finished Masco’s rally back to a 32-32 tie. Seven ties followed the rest of the way.  Pentucket closed with a 10-2 game-decider.

Alex Moore chases Brooke Stewart

Pentucket (7-0 in Cape Ann League D1 / 11-4 overall) lost Tess Nogueira (groin injury) with a minute left in the third quarter and the score tied at 37-37.  I thought at the time that Pentucket might be in serious trouble because Tess had shadowed Brooke Stewart into a non-factor status.  But Alex Moore took over and, although at least six inches shorter than Brooke, was able to limit the talented senior to just four points the rest of the way.

Besides the good fill-in defense, Alex (13 points) put up seven in the final quarter including the go-ahead triple with thirty seconds left.

Masco (5-1 in CAL / 9-2 overall) had won seven of their last eight games before today’s loss.  I saw them defeat a highly regarded Central Catholic team in Lawrence last Sunday.

Both Masco and Pentucket are in Division 1 of the Cape Ann League.  When it comes to the MIAA tournament, however, Pentucket slides down to Division 3. Could that have been why St. Mary’s Jeff Newman was in the house??  I saw Jeff’s Spartans oust Pentucket from the tournament last year at Wilmington.

Two of the most sideline-active coaches were in action today and it was hard not to watch them even as the game was going on.

Bob Romeo (Masco) is at least 6’5” with a loud voice.  Dressed in a pink shirt for the Coaches vs. Cancer event he was pretty hard to miss.

Pentucket coach John McNamara gets a technical in the 4th quarter.

Meanwhile, down the other end was Pentucket’s John McNamara.  He spent more time on the court than most of his players.  I did see him kick the bench – I have a coaching friend who broke a toe doing that.  John had a legitimate complain late in the game when someone in the Masco band used their trumpet (?) as a noisemaker while Coley Viselli was shooting free throws.  Earlier, with 4:16 left John got hit with a technical foul.  Brooke Stewart made both technical foul shots.

I guess it begs the question, why are coaches allowed on the floor when the game is going on?  At the least, it is very dangerous.  What do the rules say??

Both coaches have tremendous records and produce competitive teams year after year.  Graduation never seems to slow them down.

Brooke Stewart (8 points) was overheard saying at halftime that she “had a blister the size of Mexico.”  That’s big and surely a distraction.

Pentucket has won eight of their last nine.  They are at Manchester-Essex on February 3rd.

Masco hosts Hamilton-Wenham on January 31st.

Driving bare roads with snow nowhere in sight on January 29th?  Delightful!

Pentucket box score

Masconomet box score

(The pictures above and below all enlarge if you click on them.)

Danielle Davis on her way to last shot

Kelsi McNamara

Alex Moore

Sarah Higgins looks for an opening

Tess Nogueira drives – Katie Hutchinson defends

Brooke Stewart and Sarah Higgins eye rebound

Claudia Marsh

Masco student section

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November 11, 2011 · 7:52 pm

Chip Sherman’s Penalty Kick in 2nd Overtime Sends Masconomet Past Medford in Division 1 North Semi-Finals Boys Soccer

(Lynn) It took penalty kicks for Masconomet to get past Acton-Boxborough in the quarter-finals and it took a Chip Sherman penalty kick in the second overtime to oust Medford in the semi-finals on Friday morning at Manning Field in Division 1 North boys soccer.

#6 Masco (15-3-3) will face #16 Billerica (12-5-6) in the D1 North finals at noon back at Manning Field.

Let my pictures and captions take you through what happened two minutes into the second overtime to end the scoreless tie.

Chip Sherman cuts back on defenders Gilbert Simas and Matheus Anastacio and heads for loose ball.

Chip Sherman, with ball on right foot, breaks in on commited goalie Bryan Peguero as the referee gets a clear view of the action.

Chip Sherman (6) shifts ball to left foot as goalie Bryan Peguero trips him.

Chip Sherman sets up for PK as Medford players question the referee.

Chip Sherman (6) moves in on penalty kick.

Masco players rush to their fans with Bryan Peguero down in foreground.

John Dumbuya – Mustang scoring threat

A very important part of the Chieftain victory was the way that Wes Shrewsbury marked John Dumbuya of Medford.  In the Mustangs two wins in the tournament and in games during the Greater Boston League season, the talented senior has gotten past multiple defenders for goals.  In this one, he got loose at the six-minute mark of the first half, dribbled into the middle and struck a shot that may have put a dent in the top crossbar over Masco goalie Derek Grammer’s head.  At that point, I began to figure John for a goal or two before the game ended………but that didn’t happen.  Wes Shrewsbury defended better thereafter, not letting John ever get into a shooting position the rest of the way.

Keeyon Olia of Masco had a golden chance in the first half.  He had lots of net to shoot at from the left.

Medford coach Mike Petrides claimed afterwards that Chip had taken a dive on the OT penalty call and that the referee should have let it go.  However, in my picture the referee has a very good look at the play.  Bryan Peguero was down and out and Chip had shifted the ball to his left foot just about to shoot at an open net.  Bryan had no choice but to take out Chip’s right leg to trip him and at least temporarily prevent the goal.

In the penalty-shots round versus Acton-Boxborough, Chip was the Chieftains’ first shooter.

The Mustangs had many good players.  The thing I noticed especially were their defenders.  They didn’t panic to pressure and used teammates.  On the other end, I was surprised that big threat John Dumbuya wasn’t in the middle of the field more.  He might have lost Wes Shrewsbury in traffic occasionally or at least drawn some direct kicks.  Instead, John camped out on the right wing waiting for the action to come to him making it easier for Wes to deny him the ball.

Derek Grammer (green shirt) first half save

Masco goalie Derek Grammer made several saves in traffic during regulation.

Medford coach Mike Petrides was let go from coaching this past April but was reinstated late in July after significant support from players and parents came forward.

I rode to this 10AM game in rain which didn’t last.  The sun came out during the game and a crosswind persisted throughout toward the spectator’s grandstand.

Manning Field is an excellent spot for tournament soccer.  There is plenty of parking, seats, bathrooms, and pizza.

(I collect my own information and take my own pictures.  I apologize in advance for any errors.)

The pictures in this entry will all enlarge when you click on them.

Jameson Semerzier (4) & Chip Sherman (6)

Keeyon Olia (9) open net chance

Adam Grammer (1) & Masco coach Dave Mitchell (red stripe)

John Dumbuya (11) and Wes Shrewsbury (10)

Tighe VanLenten (11) heads over Erik Baptiste (9)

Derek Grammer

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November 9, 2011 · 8:50 pm

Masconomet Gets By Acton-Boxborough in Penalty Kicks in Division 1 North Boys Soccer

Masconomet goalie Derek Grammer (green shirt) is mobbed after the Chieftain victory.

The referee explains the penalty kick process to A-B goalie Andrew Hoang and MHS goalie Derer Grammer.

(Boxford) It took six rounds of penalty kicks to finally separate Masconomet (14-3-3) from Acton-Boxborough (10-8-2) and a scoreless tie and allow the Chieftains to move on to the Division 1 North semifinals versus Medford on November 11th (Friday) at 10AM.

The Colonials had a 2-1 advantage after three rounds of penalty kicks but Masco goalie Derek Grammer blocked their next three attempts while the Chieftains converted 2-of-3 including the clincher by Justin Clark in Round Six.

Masco fans swarmed the players at game’s end.

Playing on a field with no scoreboard surprised me for such an important game but it turned out that there was no need for a scoreboard.  There were decent looks by both teams in the 100 minutes of soccer that led to the PKs  but the defenses were just too good especially Andrew Hoang in the A-B net.  The most dangerous plays were the corner kicks and the throw-ins.

This is the way the penalty kicks went:
AB           X    G    G    X    X    X
Masco    G    X    X    G    X    G

First Round

Ryan Rose – miss

Chip Sherman – goal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Round

Ross Schulman – goal

Chad Burke – miss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third Round

Tommy Wilson – goal

Adam Grammer – miss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Round

Ethan Raymond – miss

Wes Shrewsbury – goal

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifth Round

Emir Hankour – miss

Alex Brown – miss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sixth Round

Panyin Otoo – miss

Justin Clark – goal

Justin Clark (18) looks for MHS goalie Derek Grammer after game winner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penalty kick tidbits: Chad Burke hit the goal post.  Alex Brown took the PK in Round 5 despite being helped off the field earlier.

(I collect my own stats and take my own pictures.  I own any mistakes.)  Clicking on any pictures enlarges them to normal size.

Adam Grammer (1) good look

Charlie Behrens (7) header

Jeff Panella (27) clears from Steve DeLeo (23)

Chip Sherman (6), Andrew Curran (6), Ross Schulman (4)

Derek Grammer keeps ball away from Graham Saunders (8).

Ethan Raymond & Adam Grammer

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October 21, 2011 · 9:22 pm

Ipswich Girls Run Undefeated Streak to Eleven with 2-1 Soccer Win Over Masconomet

Tigers rush to goalie Molly Markos after 2-1 win over Masco.

(Boxford) One girls soccer team was undefeated in its last ten games and the other in its last eight games.  It figured to be a good match….and it was as Ipswich defeated Masconomet, 2-1, before a good crowd at Senior’s Day at Masconomet on Friday afternoon.

Hannah Weagle – goal and assist

2010 Cape Ann League Division 2 Player-of-the-Year Hannah Weagle was huge for Ipswich (10-1-3).  The talented senior scored a goal in the first half on a direct kick and then earned the assist on teammate Sam Brown’s game winner in the second half.

Hannah was also very active in the midfield area and part of an Ipswich defense that gave Masco limited scoring chances during most of the game.

The Chieftains (9-4-2), however, rallied late in the first half on a scramble in front to tie the score (Mia Farnham from Leah Connerty) and put their best sustained effort into the opening ten minutes of the second half.  During that hectic ten minutes, Masco took six shots, including two direct kicks and a corner kick, but the Tiger defense led by junior Courtney Long and goalie Molly Markos held on.

Hannah set up the game-winner seventeen minutes into the second half.  She broke away from a sideline battle for the ball and took a hard shot toward goal from the left.  Sam Brown raced in from the right and put a foot on the ball redirecting it on goal and into the net past Masco goalie Kendal Pratt.

The Tigers had three golden chances in the first half and cashed in on one of them.

The first chance was a goal from in close by Katie Monahan that was called back because of an offsides after nineteen minutes.

Hannah Weagle delivered on the second chance. First she drew a Masco violation with some penetrating dribbling.  Then she took the resulting direct kick and beat goalie Kendal Pratt with a shot into the upper left-hand corner of the net with twenty-three minutes played in the first half.

Six minutes later Hannah was back with the Tigers’ 3rd scoring chance with another direct kick attempt. This time goalie Kendal Pratt made a fabulous stop diving for the near post to deflect the shot out.  This was the stop of the game.

Leah Connerty (10) about to get an assist.

The Chieftain’s broke through at 38:07 after a direct kick by Paige Pratt.  From where I was (the other end of the field) it looked as if Leah Connerty got a foot on the ball to put it up in the air and Mia Farnham followed with a header past the Ipswich goalie.

This was my second time seeing Masco – I saw them play a 1-1 tie with Georgetown.  Paige Pratt is an excellent defender.  Mia Farnham and Taylor Evans create real problems on the scoring end because of their strength and persistence.  They both had pretty good scoring chances versus Ipswich.

The Ipswich/Masco JV game was played right beside the varsity game.  I suspected that whistles and stray kicks might be a problem but they weren’t.

Sam Brown (12) congratulated after game winner

I saw Ipswich in tournament play last season and Courtney Long is terrific as the last defender.  The sophomore has a strong kick with either foot and doesn‘t panic with the ball.

Hannah Weagle was all over the field.  Most high scorers in soccer don’t offer much in the way of defense but Hannah was active at midfield and in the box during corner kicks.

Ipswich (11-7-4 in 2010) made the D3 North Finals last season while Masco (17-2-2 in 2010) ) made the D1 North Finals.  They will be in the tournament again this year.

Hannah Weagle (6) contests with Masco goalie Kendal Pratt

Next for Ipswich is Triton under the lights in Ipswich on October 25th (Tuesday). Masco travels to Andover for a 5PM game on October 24th (Monday).

Further ahead, Ipswich has back-to-back road games with Newburyport (October 31st) and Georgetown (November 1st).  Those should be very competitive matches.

(I take full responsibility for the contents of this story.)   The pictures will enlarge to normal size if you click on them.

Courtney Long (24) defends Taylor Evans (27)

Mia Farnham (29) shoots

Hannah Weagle (6) & Courtney Long (24)

Taylor Evans (27) and Shannon McFayden

goalie Kendal Pratt

Mia Farnham

Sam Brown

goalie Molly Markos

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October 12, 2011 · 7:51 pm

Masco boys cross country still undefeated – Pentucket girls cross country loses tight one

Jay Polakiewicz, Liam Davis, Marco Caserta, and Jake Moorman approach the finish line for undefeated Masconomet.

Rebecca Morse finishes first.

(Topsfield)  No question that Hamilton-Wenham has the best girls cross country team in the Cape Ann League and probably in the state.

The question of which girls team was second best was decided yesterday afternoon at Bradley Palmer State Park as Masconomet (8-1) edged Pentucket (7-2), 27-28.

Fiona Davis of Manchester-Essex finished 5th overall but her placement is not included in the scoring between Masco and Pentucket.  Fiona fooled me because she was wearing a green shirt and I thought she was with Pentucket and was part of a 26-30 Sachem win.

As I saw it, the race within the race was over positions 5-8 between Masco and Pentucket and that was where the Chieftains Mila Zernich and Lily D’Agostino held off Sachems Brianna Repke and Emma Marchant.  When the four runners went past the starting line partway through the race, they were close but by the end of the race there were sizable gaps and Masco had the key 5th and 6th spots.

Senior Rebecca Morse cruised to victory for Pentucket and has to be the favorite to win the Cape Ann League Open on October 29th back at Bradley Palmer.

The Masconomet (9-0) boys team remains undefeated with a convincing, 16-45, win.  The top four runners finished together for Masco and Scott Gilfeather crossed 6th for the Chieftains to complete their scoring.

Four girls battle for 5th and 6th partway through the race.

Next week (October 19th) the Chieftains return to Bradley Palmer for a showdown with equally undefeated Newburyport.  It will be nice to see how individual runners can do.  I doubt that we’ll see runners from either squad slowing up so that they can finish side by side with teammates as both teams have done repeatedly this season.

This was my first look at the Sachems identical twins, Tom and Joe Labrecque.  The only hope of telling them apart is that they wear different colored running shoes.

I chose this meet because after checking records I assumed that the Masco/Pentucket girls race would be a close one with something (2nd place in CAL) at stake.  I also assumed that the boys race would be a mismatch, based on the records, but I would get a look at the undefeated Masco boys.  I have seen the Newburyport boys win easily twice (North Andover & Hamilton-Wenham).  Next Wednesday’s meet between Masco/Newburyport should be an excellent take.

I will admit that trying to cover yesterday’s cross country meet has been an adventure that only a retiree with time to spare could pursue to the end.  The Newburyport News had the meet at Pentucket.  I called Pentucket and they said the meet was at Bradley Palmer.  I called Masconomet and was assured that the meet would be held at Bradley Palmer which was where Masco’s meets were held.  I took pictures at the meet and assumed that the next day the Lawrence Eagle Tribune or the Newburyport Daily News would post the complete results which I could match with my pictures.  Wrong again.   That left me needing help to identify pictures and that’s where Patrick Mahoney (Masco boys) and Todd Ruland (Pentucket girls) came to my rescue.  Thanks, gentlemen.

(I take my own pictures and collect my own information.  In this entry two coaches helped me out.  I am keen on being accurate and fair.)

The pictures in this entry assume normal size if you click on them.  Enjoy.

Mackenzie Shelgren 2nd

Kelsi McNamara 3rd

Megan Collins 4th

Mila Zernich (left) 5th – Lily Dagostino (right) 6th

Shannon Beaton 10th

Brianna Repke 7th

Emma Marchant 8th

Shannon Lozier 9th

Scott Gilfeather 6th – Joe Labrecque 7th

Tom Labrecque 5th

girls start

boys start

Labrecque twins running side by side (in green) – note the shoes.

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October 3, 2011 · 9:14 pm

Masco and Georgetown Play to 1-1 Tie in Girls Soccer

Claudia Marsh (22), Leah Connerty (10), Mia Farnham (29), Olivia Buonopane (18), Paige Pratt (16), and Sarah Katz (8) return to midfield after Mia scored a Masco goal late in the second half.

Nicoline Holland (17) gets a hug from assisting teammate Ashley Mueskes.

(Georgetown) Two good area girls soccer teams played to a 1-1 tie, as Georgetown (3-0-3) rallied five minutes after a Masconomet (4-3-2) goal late in the second half to net one of their own.

The Monday afternoon game was moved just before game time from Georgetown’s lower field to its upper soccer field.  There was too much water on the lower field, according to the officials.

On a cloudy afternoon, Masco had the most shots (17) and the most corner kicks (5) but the Royals had goalkeeper Jamie Block as the final defender.  The talented junior turned away several dangerous Chieftain attempts.  She also put good distance on goal kicks and punts to give her teammates a chance to regroup.

The Royals had defeated Masco, 2-1, in September at Masco in a non-league game.  Today’s tie counted in the Cape Ann League’s standings.

Dominque Anderson (21), Paige Pratt (16), and Alexa Ina (1) prepare to defend a Royal corner kick.

Both goals in this game were scored in its last ten minutes.  The visitor’s goals came off a Olivia Buonopane’s corner kick from the right corner.  Keeper Jamie Block moved toward the near post as the shot was in the air only to have it sail over her head into a crowd of players behind her.  Somehow, Chieftain Mia Farnham directed the ball into the net with ten minutes left in the game.

I suspected that Masco might now go into a defensive shell but they didn’t.  The Royals pressed hard into the Masco end and got one of their two corner kicks. From it, Kelly Chickering drilled a shot from the left that just barely sailed over the top of the Masco net.

Undaunted the Royals were back threatening again two minutes later.  Kristin Hogan passed the ball into the middle to Ashley Mueskes and the senior co-captain gave her teammate Nicoline Holland as nice a feed as you’ll ever see.  Nicoline (90+ career goals) took full advantage of the open side and tied the score with five minutes to go.

Ashley Mueskes sends a pass between Alexa Ina (1) and Leah Connerty (10) that set Nicoline Holland up for the tying goal.

The memorable moment the rest of the way was Ashley Mueskes hobbling off in the last minute with a leg injury.

Next game for the Chieftains is at Triton on Wednesday (October 5th) at 3:45PM

Georgetown travels to North Reading to face the Hornets at 7PM on Wednesday (October 5th) night.

The best player on the field?  Kelly Chickering.  Undersized but drawn to the ball in the defensive end.  Clever and speedy enough to end opponent’s scoring opportunities.

Masco was very good with short passes.

Georgetown ended up with nine shots and two corner kicks on Masco goalie Courtney Bouchard.

Division 1 Masconomet was 17-2-2 last year.  Division 3 Georgetown was 13-3-2.

(I collect my own stats and take my own pictures.  I am determined to be fair and accurate.)

The pictures will enlarge to normal size if they’re clicked on.

Alexa Ina (1) contests with Ashley Mueskes (6).

Ashley Federico (12) chases Paige Pratt (16) with Sarah Katz (8) nearby.

Jen Migliaccio (18) tries to get the ball from Paige Pratt (16).

Kelly Chickering (2) sends in a direct kick.

Masco goalie Courtney Bouchard hits the ball out with Kristin Hogan (20) and Katie DiMaio (13) looking for a rebound.

Masco goalie Courtney Bouchard makes the save as Nicoline Holland (17) and Alexa Ina (1) go by.

Nicoline Holland (17) dribbles past Paige Pratt (16).

Paige Marsh (19) battles Nicoline Holland (17)

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May 23, 2011 · 8:00 pm

Newburyport Softball Defeats Masconomet 7-3 for Thirteenth Win

Centerfielder Eleni Kacher relaxes after catching the final out in Newburyport’s win over Masco.

Molly Rowe – retired eleven of the last twelve batters in a complete game win.

(Newburyport)  The Newburyport softball team defeated Masconomet, 7-3, on Monday afternoon at overcast Cashman Park in Cape Ann League action.

Newburyport (13-3) continues to roll along.  They’ve won ten of their last eleven games.  Masconomet (4-12) continues to roll along as well but unfortunately for them it is in the opposite direction – they’ve lost eight of their last nine games.

The Clippers stacked up five runs in the second inning to recover from a 1-0 deficit and that was enough as Molly Rowe limited the Chieftains to four hits over the last five innings.

Molly had five strikeouts and retired eleven of the last twelve batters she faced.

Newburyport was hitless in their first inning but erupted for twelve hits off of Masco pitcher Molli Marshall the rest of the way.  Other than the five-spot in the second, the Clippers had solo runs in the third and fourth.

Masco picked up two runs in the 4th and then their bats were nearly silent the rest of the way.

Kendra Dow – Clipper shortstop had three hits and scored two runs.

Kendra Dow led the Newburyport attack with three hits while scoring two runs.  Cassie Davis, Shannon Brunault, and Rachel Webster each had two hits.

Julia O’Reilly and Kiki Brown collected half of Masco’s eight hits between them.

Julia’s first hit in the top of the first was a well-placed bunt that attracted the attention of pitcher Molly Rowe and first baseman Rachel Webster.  Unfortunately, for Newburyport, no one was covering first and it turned into a hit.  Two hits later the Chieftains had a run (RBI by Molli Marshall) and runners on second and third with one out.  However, Molly Rowe K’d Taylor Evans and handled Lissa Rescigno’s grounder to get out of the jam.

In the Newburyport second, the Clippers mixed five hits together with a throwing error by third baseman Julia O’Reilly.  Newburyport batted around in the five-run outburst.  Shannon Brunault, Rachel Webster, Maddy Stanton, and Lea Tomasz had RBI.

The Clippers picked up their 6th run in Inning #3. Kendra Dow singled, went to second on a wild pitch, and to third on Taylor Summit’s single.  She came home on shortstop Taylor Evans’ throwing error.

Julia O’Reilly – two hits and RBI

Kiki Brown – two hits and run scored

Masco tallied two runs in the fourth inning.  A walk (Lissa Rescigno), a hit (Kiki Brown), and a sacrifice bunt (Courtney Gotts) put runners on second and third with one out.  Third baseman Maddy Stanton decided to go home with Samantha Martin’s grounder and was too late to get Lissa Rescigno.  Julia O’Reilly’s single to left brought Kiki Brown home with the second run.  Still threatening with runners on second and third, Molly retired the next two hitters to limit the Masco damage.

Newburyport got a gift run in the bottom of the fourth.  Cassie Davis singled, went to second on a passed ball, and reached home on third baseman Julia O’Reilly’s 2-base throwing error.

NHS coach Peter Murray was heavily into landscaping the Cashman Park field when I arrived early.  He made the usual puddles disappear.

What can you say about the weather!  The good news during this game was that there was no wind and it didn’t actually rain.  Bringing an umbrella to a game this season has been almost as important as trying to guess which of the three home fields the Clippers will be playing on.

Molli Marshall – Masco pitcher

Molli Marshall was just about the most relaxed pitcher I’ve seen.  She was carrying on conversations even while she was pitching!

After a missed popup by her third baseman Julia O’Reilly, who was wearing a mask, Molli said, “Take off the mask and let them see the dye job!”  Comedy Central material!

Clipper shortstop Kendra Dow continues to impress with her strong, accurate throws.  I learned that she grew up throwing a baseball rather than a softball.

I’m still looking forward to Wednesday’s game at Amesbury between the Indians (16-1) and the Clippers (13-3).  The Indians were beaten by North Reading on Saturday.  The Clippers lost, 10-9, in their earlier non-league meeting with Amesbury.

Both teams have qualified for the post-season.  At stake could well be a share of the CAL Division 2 title.

(I collect my own information and take my own pictures.  Mistakes happen.)

Shannon Brunault heads for third

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May 6, 2011 · 8:07 pm

Brooke Jamison Drives in Last Inning Game Winner (4-3) for Triton Versus Masco

Cori Simons rounds third with the tying run as a Masconomet outfielder chases a wild throw in the seventh inning.

Brooke Jamison reaches second with the game winner after doubling to left in the bottom of the seventh.

(Byfield) Costly errors by Masconomet (3-5) in the final two innings opened the door for the Triton (6-6) softball team to run its win streak to four with a 4-3 victory on Friday afternoon in Cape Ann League play.

Brooke Jamison drove in the game-winner with a double in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Triton didn’t get a hit until there were two outs in the sixth.  Their first hit, however, was a double by Emily Jutras that drove in Kelsey Trudel.  Kelsey had reached when Taylor Evans misplayed her grounder.

Both of Triton’s runs to this point were unearned but Masco still carried a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh. Three Viking batters later the visitors had lost the game, 4-3.

In the seventh, the first Triton batter Cori Simons lined a single to center.  Second batter Kylie Gilroy pushed a bunt down the third base line. A hurried throw by 3B Julia O’Reilly sailed past 1B Kiki Brown down the right field line.  Cori came all the way around to score the tying run while the speedy Kylie reached third.  Third batter Brooke Jamison whacked a double to left to score Kylie with the game winner.

For Masconomet (3-5) it was just another tough loss.  They’ve lost five of their last six and each loss has been by two runs or less.  That sort of thing gets old real fast!

The Vikings’ first run (scored in the third) was one you had to see to believe.  Leadoff batter Lily Anderson walked and Kylie Gilroy ran for her.  Masco expected a bunt and for some reason, that escaped me, had every infielder except the first baseman in even with the pitcher.  Off went Kylie from first on the second pitch.  The only one around to cover second base was the Chieftain centerfielder, Samantha Martin.  Catcher Shawna DiPietro’s throw sailed over Samantha’s head into center field and there was no one out there.  Kylie came all the way around to score.  Maybe the centerfielder was supposed to take the throw?

Masco took the lead with a 2-run fourth.  Two of Triton pitcher Marion Dullea’s four walks came that inning and were combined with hits by Shawna DiPietro and Molli Marshall.  Molli’s single to left drove in one of the runs and a fielder’s choice by Shannon Beaton brought home the second.

Masco would add a third run in the fifth.  Samantha Martin singled to left and reached second on leftfielder Emily Jutras’ bobble.  Lexie Corso delivered Samantha with a double to center.  This gave Masco the 3-1 lead that evaporated in the final two innings.

Rachel Shamon – pitched well enough to win

Marion Dullea – forced eleven ground outs

Chieftain pitcher Rachel Shamon deserved a better fate.  She only struck out one batter but she had Triton hitting grounders (ten) all afternoon.  All of the runs against her were the result of defensive problems by her teammates.

Triton pitcher Marion Dullea had just one error behind her and that was in the outfield.  She struck out three and also forced groundouts (eleven).

Masco defeated Triton 4-1 at Masco in the season opener in April.  The pitcher for Masconomet that day (Lissa Rescigno) was sick for today’s game.

Kylie Gilroy scored two runs for Triton.  Her well-placed bunt in the bottom of the seventh inning had plenty to do with the hurried throw that followed.

Lexi Corso – had a hit, scored a run, and had an RBI

Molli Marshall – had two hits and an RBI

Triton defeated North Andover, 4-2, at home on Wednesday.

How nice it was to spend a warm afternoon watching a game!

( I collect my own stats and take my own pictures.  Mistakes happen sometimes.)

Kylie Gilroy reaches 3B in the seventh as Shannon Beaton covers.

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February 18, 2011 · 11:15 pm

North Andover Controls Adam Bramanti and Defeats Masco 55-48

Colby Smith (#12) tries to prevent a pass to Adam Bramanti (#3).

Colby Smith hits two free throws near the end.

(Boxford) Plenty of denial defense was on display as North Andover defeated Masconomet, 55-48, at Masco on Friday night in Cape Ann League play.

A full house was on hand, partly to honor Masco’s three seniors, and partly to see if their Chieftains could grab a share (with Wilmington) of the CAL Division 1 title.  Well, one out of two, ain’t bad!

With the victory, North Andover (15-4) will have a chance to be co-champs with Wilmington if they can get by Hamilton-Wenham in a rescheduled game at home on Monday. HW coach Doug Hoak was in the house for the Masco/North Andover contest.

Derek Collins (16 points) hit a couple of three’s early in the 4th quarter to give the Knights a 47-41 lead with 4:45 to go and Masco (11-7) was kept at least one possession away thereafter.

An Adam Bramanti (13 points) layup with seventeen seconds left narrowed things to 51-48 but two free throws by Colby Smith gave the Knights the cushion they needed for the win.

Normal Knight high scorers (Zach Karalis and Derek Collins) were on the “two” end of Masco’s triangle-and-two defense.

Derek Collins hits a three over his “shadow” Ben Panunzio.

It worked against Zach as he was limited to seven points.  Derek, however, reached his average and hit from long range three times.  One of those 3’s in the 4th quarter was a real backbreaker (for Masco).  Derek ended up forcing a shot from closer to midcourt than the top of the key that went in as the shot-clock buzzer went off.

Adam Bramanti averages twenty but was held to thirteen.  He was shadowed by an assortment of Knights. NA did not allow him to use screens to get open by switching every time one was set for him.

Adam Bramanti saw tight defense everywhere. This time from Collin Hubbell.

Adam got off twenty shots (made five) but the looks he had against Hamilton-Wenham (scoring 28 points) were not available versus North Andover.

There were nine lead changes in the first half with NA getting the last one with a run of six straight points (Zach, Derek, and James Warden two points each) as the Knights closed out the first half in front, 30-25.

The Knights never trailed in the second half.  The Chieftains did tie the score (38-38) on a layup by Alex Brown (11 points) to start the final period.

James Warden (16 points) and Michael Moroney (8 points) found opening for baskets against Masco’s 3-man zone defense especially in the first half.

Masco’s student section was out in force.  They did make the mistake of chanting, “We can’t hear you,” in the direction of NA players from the JV game.  Sporting a lead late, the players responded with the obvious, “Scoreboard, scoreboard,” which silenced the Masco kids.  Memo: Chanting, “We can’t hear you,” works best when your team is AHEAD.

Masco is on a 4-game losing streak and has two non-league games (Revere and Malden Catholic) at home next week left on their regular season schedule.

NA had lost two in a row before defeating Masco.  The Knights also won over Masco in December. They have Hamilton-Wenham left.

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February 14, 2011 · 11:59 pm

Hamilton-Wenham Boys Defeat Masconomet In Overtime 69-61

Stephen Tam (25 points) sends Hamilton-Wenham ahead in overtime with a 3-pointer.

(Boxford) Hamilton-Wenham (13-2) defeated Masconomet (11-5) in overtime, 69-61, on Monday night but the luster of the victory may be dulled by the loss of Pat Hendrickson to a severe knee injury.

Pat Hendrickson on the floor with what looked to be a severe knee injury.

Pat went down in the last minute of regulation on a drive to the basket.  The game was delayed for some time as Masco’s trainers examined Pat and decided that outside medical help was required.  Help arrived and Pat was put on a stretcher and given a rousing sendoff by the spectators from both sides.

Pat’s drive resulted in two free throws.  Colin Kenny made both and the Generals were up by three (56-53) with 35 seconds left.  You didn’t have to watch this game for very long to know who would be taking the shot for Masco (Adam Bramanti).  You just didn’t know where he’d shoot from.  He got open on the right side and tied the game in front of the Masco student section.

Hamilton-Wenham had plenty of time (28 seconds) and after a timeout seemed intent on running the clock down to just a few seconds before shooting.  Unfortunately, Stephen Tam dribbled the Generals into a five-second violation.

Adam Bramanti (28 points) forced overtime with this late 3-pointer.

That left Adam now with a chance to win the game with eleven seconds to do it.  He got over on the right side again but this time missed and Colin Kenny got the rebound to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, a Ben Panunzio layup on a rebound tied the score at 58-58 early but the Chieftain offense went south over the last 2 ½ minutes getting just three points.  The Generals, on the other hand, were very productive.  Stephen Tam hit a three and on seven of the next eight possession HW was at the foul line.  They hit on just eight of fourteen attempts but that was more

Jake Lindland (13 points) hit five-of-six free throws in overtime.

than enough to stay ahead of the suddenly cold-shooting Chieftains.

One of Stephen Tam’s 3-point attempts.

The willingness of both teams to put up 3’s was an eye-opener for me.  I’d seen Salem connect on fifteen on Sunday night but in this game both teams were at it.  Masco and HW combined to launch sixty 3-point attempts which was more than half the shots attempted in the game.

Adam Bramanti (eight 3’s and 28 points) and Stephen Tam (six 3’s and 25 points) made long ones in every period as well as overtime.  They never seemed to be out of range.

The Chieftains used their size to get second-chance baskets in the first quarter and led 15-10.  HW rallied at the start of the second quarter with eight straight points (3’s by Pat Hendrickson and Stephen Tam plus two Chris Hamilton free throws) to jump ahead 18-15.  However, Masco closed on an 8-2 run (3’s by Ben Panunzio and Adam Bramanti plus two Zach Zaniewski free throws) to lead at the half 34-27.

It took Masco three minutes to score a point in the second half and by then HW had connected three times from long distance (Pat, Jake Lindland, and Stephen) to surge in front, 36-34.  The Chieftains would end up chasing HW the rest of the way before finally tying the visitors, 58-58, very late in regulation.

Thereafter, both team had a chance to win in regulation, which they didn’t, and then HW took charge in overtime.

The loss had to be troubling for Masco coach Frank Shea.  His team had all sorts of size advantages but after the first half were far too content to try and get three points per possession.

Zach Zaniewski had a big first half (12 points).

Zach Zaniewski collected twelve points in the first half and then the 6’6” inside threat disappeared from the score sheet.

Pat Hendrickson had fifteen points while Jake Lindland added thirteen for the Generals.

If HW had lost this game the culprit would have been easy to spot – free throw shooting.  The team made just 23-of-38.  Do kids practice that shot anymore?

All five of Masco’s losses have been at home.

The crowd size surprised me considering the records of the two teams.

(I collect my own stats and take my own pictures.  My captions and commentary are original.  Mistakes are unintentional.)

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