Category Archives: Newburyport

April 11, 2013 · 9:12 pm

Newburyport wins third straight downing Masconomet 4-1 in Cape Ann League softball

Lauren Singer, caught in a rundown, escaped and later scored as Coach Lori Solazzo looks on.

Victoria Allman gets congratulated by Kendra Dow after her third win of the season

(Newburyport) Last year these two teams met at Cashman Park in early April and there were thirty hits and Masconomet left with a 9-6 win in nine innings.

Not this time. The hits were scarce (eight) and the Clippers won, 4-1, in Cape Ann League action on a cold/bleak Thursday afternoon in Newburyport.

Newburyport (3-0) is off to a perfect start with Victoria Allman showing that she can handle the every-game pitching assignment.

Victoria gave up three singles and one unearned run.

This was the opener for Masconomet. They did have several scrimmages leading up to this game. The Chieftains were 17-3 last season under first-year Mike Gibeley. Mike was named coach-of-the-year for his terrific season.

Pitcher Rachel Shamon leaves the game with an injury.

Rachel Shamon (CAL D1 player-of-the-year) started for Masco but went out after 2 1/3 innings after getting a finger in the way of a ground ball. Emily Dow came on to pitch one-hit ball the rest of the way.

The Clippers picked up a run in the first, two in the second, and another in the fifth.

In the first, Lauren Singer doubled to right center and reached third after a liner by Meghan Stanton was dropped by Rachel Shamon (pitcher). Meghan took second uncontested. Kendra Dow then grounded back to Rachel. Rachel faked the throw to first then tried to get Lauren Singer off of third. She couldn’t and the bases were loaded with one out. Carley Siemasko worked Rachel for a walk and the Clippers led, 1-0.

Molly Stanton heads home with second Clipper run

In the second, Victoria Allman walked (Molly Stanton ran for her). Meghan Stanton lined a 2-out triple over the head of leftfielder (Sarah Webster) scoring her sister. Lea Tomasz singled to the right of second base driving in Meghan and giving Newburyport a 3-0 lead after two innings.

The Chieftains picked up their lone run in the fifth. Sammy Martin walked and Alex Mendelsohn reached on a single to deep short. Rachel Shamon’s grounder to third (Meghan Stanton) went through the sophomore’s legs allowing Sammy Martin to score an unearned run.

The Clippers got that run back in the bottom of the fifth. Kendra Dow doubled to right and reached third on Casey Barlow’s sacrifice grounder. Shelby O’Brien walked but on ball four the ball got away from catcher Alex Mendelsohn allowing Kendra Dow to slide in with the fourth Newburyport run.

Kendra Dow handled seven grounders flawlessly

Senior shortstop Kendra Dow had two hits, scored a hustle run, and handled seven grounders flawlessly.

Masco second baseman Erin Campbell made a terrific backhand stab of Vicki Allman’s liner to end the fifth inning.

Outfielders Lea Tomasz and Ashley Hodge collided in the fourth inning but Lea came away with the catch.

Sophomore Meghan Stanton had two hits, an RBI, and scored a run.

Sophomore Lauren Singer had three hits off pitcher Rachel Shamon last year.

The quickest feet were shown by Angus as he circled the field then raced back to obedience school for a lecture.

Masco and Newburyport will meet again on May 13th at Masco.

The Chieftains next game will be hosting Triton next Wednesday.

Newburyport will face an excellent North Reading team on the road next Wednesday.

Newburyport boxscore

Masconomet boxscore

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

Erin Campbell congratulated after making a nice play at second

Sarah Rogers sights a fly in right

Angus shows speed

Julianna Kostas steals second as Kendra Dow awaits the throw

Meghan Stanton

Casey Barlow makes a catch

pitcher Emily Dow

Lauren Singer gets ready to catch

Leave a comment

Filed under Masconomet, Newburyport

Tagged as Emily Dow, Erin Campbell, Kendra Dow, Lauren Singer, Meghan Stanton, Rachel Shamon, Victoria Allman

April 9, 2013 · 11:53 am

Newburyport gets two wins over Lynnfield in outdoor track

Steve Preston won the shot put, discus, and finished 2nd in the 100

DJ DeGeorge finished 2nd in the shot put and discus

(Newburyport) Plenty of sunshine and plenty of success for Newburyport in outdoor track competition with Lynnfield on Monday afternoon.

The Clippers (1-1) recovered nicely from last week’s losses to North Reading in their Cape Ann League opener.

The Newburyport boys defeated the Pioneers, 92-51, while the Clipper girls came out ahead, 90 ½ – 54 ½.

On a bright day (I’m making excuses for the pictures already!) I took a number of pictures of the participants.

I prepped for the race by taking a look at the 2012 CAL outdoor track championships at North Andover. That research alerted me to the best matchup in this meet – Steve Preston (Nbpt) versus DJ DeGeorge (Lynnfield).

The event was the shot put. In the CAL championships DJ was the winner with a put of 48’11”. Steve was third with 46’4”.

On Monday afternoon Steve turned out the winner reaching 49’. I don’t know DJ’s distance this time around but he ended up second.

Steve also won the discus with a throw of 142’ 5”. That length would have won last year’s CAL meet in which Steve ended up second throwing 138’ 1”. DJ was second today in the discus.

Tom Graham wins the 100

Steve also had a second in the 100 behind teammate junior Tom Graham.

Watching the Newburyport distance runners is always entertaining. You go into having no idea what the “script” will be.

In the two-mile, the “script” was determined by how long Lynnfield’s Chase Davidson could stay in contention. When he dropped back the front four orchestrated the way the race would go, in conversion as the race went along. In the final stretch, Max Vye “pulled away) from Joe Santo, Nick Carleo, and Chris Orlando to get the win.

Nick Carleo cruises in the one mile

The one mile event was run without scripting and Nick Carleo won decisively. His time was 4:47 which is quite a ways from his 4:29.8 at the CAL championships last May.

Lexi Buonfiglio was a decisive winner for Lynnfield in the 800. The senior was 4th in the CAL championships and all of the girls who finished ahead of her have graduated.

Next for Newburyport will be hosting undefeated Masco (2-0) on Thursday. For Lynnfield, it will be a trip to Ipswich (1-0) on the same day.

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

sophomore Lily Eagan won the 400 hurdle

Max Vye leaves the pack in the two mile

Sam Stansel takes the 400

Liza Twomey took the 100 and the 200

Lexi Buonfiglio captures the 800

Erin Carroll wins the two mile

DJ DeGeorge tosses the discus

Becca Speak in the triple jump

Leave a comment

Filed under Lynnfield, Newburyport

Tagged as DJ DeGeorge, Lexi Buonfiglio, Max Vye, Nick Carleo, Steve Preston

April 3, 2013 · 9:28 pm

Casey Barlow and Victoria Allman lead Newburyport past North Andover 3-1 in softball opener

Victoria Allman – complete game six-hitter with ten strikeouts

Casey Barlow (#13) gets congratulated after her two-run blast

(Newburyport) The white caps were not on the players’ heads but on the Merrimack River in the background at Cashman Park Wednesday afternoon.

But I doubt the Newburyport Clippers softball team minded the cold, windy setting as they defeated North Andover, 3-1, in a non-league season opener for both squads.

Senior Casey Barlow (three hits and three RBI) was the hitting star for NHS. Last time I saw Casey in action it was in basketball and the lefty was shooting free throws right-handed because of an injury. She’s fully recovered!

Casey’s wind-effected, two-out blooper in front of North Andover third baseman Paige Alholm delivered a run for the Clippers in the first inning.

Later, in the fifth inning, Casey put a charge into a liner over right fielder Jess Bramanti’s head and circled the bases successfully despite slowing up rounding third. Kendra Dow scored on the play and Newburyport had the two runs that would make the difference in this game.

Dahlia DeCologero had two hits and scored the only NA run

The Knights got their lone run in the third. Kim Crucioli singled Dahlia DeCologero to third and the senior scored on catcher Lauren Bean’s passed ball.

Victoria Allman had a strong outing for Newburyport. The junior gave up six hits but struck out ten. Victoria had five K’s in the first two innings.

NA threatened in the fourth as Jess Bramanti and Paige Alholm both singled with no outs. But Victoria served up a fly ball out to Lea Tomasz and two infield grounders handled by second baseman Jackie Krusemark to end the scoring chance.

The Knights put together a more serious threat in the seventh inning down two runs. Danielle Wilson beat out an infield hit past the pitcher and later leadoff batter Dahlia DeCologero doubled over Ashley Hodge’s head in left. That put two runs in scoring position with two outs. But Victoria got Kim Crucioli to ground out to second to end the game.

Dahlia DeCologero had two of NA’s six hits.

Pitcher Kim Crucioli is congratulated after getting out of a jam in the second inning

Knights’ pitcher Kim Crucioli (6 hits/4 K’s) came up big in the bottom of the second. Meghan Stanton belted a triple over the head of leftfielder Sarah Lemerise with no outs but Kim struck out two and induced a popup to escape.

Shortstop Kendra Dow erased a Knights scoring attempt at the plate in the first inning. Dahlia DeCologero had reached third after singling, stealing second, and getting third on an errant throw by catcher Lauren Bean. Kendra was playing in and Courtney Green’s grounder reached her quickly and her strong throw to Lauren Bean was there in plenty of time.

Another key to the Newburyport win? Keeping Courtney Green under wraps. Courtney was the Player-of-Year in Division 2 of the Cape Ann League last season. Victoria Allman held her hitless in three plate appearances.

North Andover has moved to the Merrimack Valley Conference and they are certain to find the level of competition quite different than in the CAL with plenty of Division 1 teams on their schedule.

Meghan Stanton tripled to left in the second inning

I took in last year’s meeting between these two teams on May 11th. The Clippers won that one, 3-2, in eight innings.

North Andover was 10-11 last season. They have a new coach – Caitlin Flanagan.

Newburyport was 13-10 in 2012 under Coach Lori Solazzo.

Next for North Andover is a trip to Pentucket on Friday. Newburyport next plays on Monday at Saugus.

Carley Siemasko and Kendra Dow were CAL All-Stars last season.

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

Lauren Bean tagged out trying to steal by Dahlia DeCologero

cold conditions at Cashman Park

Third baseman Meghan Stanton fires to Carley Siemasko at first

Centerfielder Morgan Coakley chases a flyball in the strong wind at Cashman Park

Catcher Lauren Bean and pitcher Victoria Allman

Leave a comment

Filed under Newburyport, North Andover

Tagged as Casey Barlow, Courtney Green, Dahlia DeCologero, Kim Crucioli, Meghan Stanton, Victoria Allman

February 26, 2013 · 12:16 am

Late Ian Michael’s three gives Newburyport 43-42 tourney win over Hamilton-Wenham

Ian Michaels cuts left to get room for game-winning three

Clippers celebrate the one-point win

(Newburyport) Ian Michaels drained a three with two seconds left to carry Newburyport past Hamilton-Wenham, 43-42, in a thriller on Monday night in Division 3 North First Round action.

The Clippers (14-7) will now face the winner of the Amesbury/Whittier game.

Ian’s exciting game-winner came ten seconds after Henry Eagar’s runner in the lane had given the Generals (10-9) a two-point lead and revved up the HW fans.

After a timeout the Clippers put the ball in Ian’s hands in the backcourt. The 5-11 senior crossed half court and looked as if he was going to use a high screen to go right (he’s a righty). At the last second, he used a crossover dribble to cut left and get separation from defender Nikos Lara. He then drilled the season-on-the-line long one.

James Foye (25 points) takes the last shot

James Foye launched a last-second heave from the backcourt that fell well short and Newburyport had the win.

This was a game when both teams had their very good moments and their very bad moments. The points came consecutively and both teams looked at various times like sure winners and sure losers.

Newburyport had point runs of eight, six and twelve. The Generals ran nine straight points and later ten plus a 9-1 segment after 3:44 of the final quarter.

Newburyport started fast (8-2) but by the end of the first quarter trailed, 11-8.

The HW lead was two (15-13) before the visitors put ten unanswered points up in less than six minutes during the second quarter. Surprisingly, sophomore James Foye (25 points) was not part of the scoring.

James Foye puts up a layup with Dillon Guthro closing for a block attempt

The damage was done by: Henry Eagar (3 free throws), a layup off a steal by Shawn Kotch, a jump shot by Nikos Lara, and a three by Ben Kozlowski. The Clippers had seven turnovers during the six minute dry spell.

That point barrage gave HW a 25-13 spread. A Matt Canning three closed the NBPT deficit to, 25-16, at the half.

The Generals still looked to be in good shape with a 31-20 advantage with 3 ½ minutes left in the third quarter.

But just when you thought the Clippers were cooked they started putting points up while HW couldn’t buy a basket.

Over the next 7:15 stretching into the fourth quarter, Newburyport sliced and diced the Generals to an 18-2 tune. Three assisted baskets by a cutting Colton Fontaine started the surge. The 6-1 senior added three free throws before three’s by Ian Michals, Dillon Guthro (old-fashioned), and Dan Baribeault had the Clippers looking unbeatable with four minutes left (38-33).

But James Foye (25 points) was still in the game. He nailed a three with 3:44 left and, after Ian Michaels missed the front end of a one-and-one, put in a layup to tie the score, 38-38, with 3:24 left.

Colton Fontaine (15 points) sees an opening

James missed the free throw that went with the layup and HW turned the ball over the next two times they had it. In between the HW miscues Colton Fontaine (15 points) had yet another assisted layup (from Ian Michaels) and up went Newburyport (40-38) with two minutes left.

Now it was Newburyport’s turn to turn the ball over two straight possessions. James Foye hit a baseline jumper in between the turnovers with 49 seconds left to tie the score, 40-40.

The Generals would grab the lead after a steal by Henry Eagar. HW had a timeout and thirty-six seconds to use. I’m betting that everyone on hand figured that James Foye would get the shot out of the possession. But it didn’t work that way. Matt Canning kept James outside and as the clock ran down Dylan Guthro joined him. James spotted teammate Henry Eagar open in the lane. Henry got the pass and hit a runner with twelve seconds to go.

The HW crowd started celebrating just a bit early and left disappointed after Ian Michaels hit the 3-point, game-winner.

Dillon Guthro blocks the shot of James Foye

6-4 Dillon Guthro (9 points) challenged every HW layup attempt and blocked several shots including a couple taken by James Foye.

Ian Michaels and Henry Eagar both tallied eight points.

Newburyport finished with twenty-four turnovers by my count. HW had sixteen.

Good crowd on hand. Plenty of excitement for the partisans of both teams.
Newburyport boxscore

Hamilton-Wenham boxscore

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

loose ball

Colton Fontaine gets inside for two

Dan Baribeault made two long ones

Henry Eagar (#11) scores with twelve seconds left

James Foye defended by John Baribeault

Henry Eagar (8 points) shoots over Ian Michaels

Leave a comment

Filed under Hamilton-Wenham, Newburyport

Tagged as Dan Baribeault, Dillon Guthro, Henry Eagar, Ian Michaels, James Foye

February 12, 2013 · 11:20 pm

Pentucket wins 18th defeating Newburyport 60-29 in girls basketball

Kelsi McNamara (12 points) breaks clean to the basket

Coley Viselli (10 points) gets an open three

(Newburyport) Normally it’s the pressure defense that gets you when you face the Pentucket Sachems.

Not so tonight. It was an on-fire Pentucket offense.

Newburyport (10-7) had no defensive answers and were defeated, 60-29, by the defending Division 3 state champs on Tuesday night in Cape Ann League action.

The girls from West Newbury took great care of the ball (three turnovers in the first half) and made shots from everywhere.

Pentucket (18-1) had the long ball going early. Four minutes into the first quarter three different Sachems (Alex Moore, Kelsi McNamara, and Coley Viselli) clicked from downtown. That barrage of 3-point offense helped put the Clippers behind, 13-2, and there was no recovery.

The visitors closed the quarter with yet another three (Alex Moore) and two Tess Nogueira layups and the rout was on, 24-7, after one period.

Tess Nogueira (10 points) gets loose inside

It was one of those games where no matter what defense NHS coach Greg Dollas tried ran into trouble. He used a zone and Pentucket made three’s. He played man-to-man and the Sachems blew past one-on-one defenders for easy layups. It was a defensive nightmare for the Clippers, plain and simple.

In the second quarter the 3’s were key in another Pentucket run of points. With the score, 28-10, after three minutes, the Sachems put a 10-2 package in place over the next four minutes. Three-pointers by Alex and Coley as well as layups by Coley and McKenna Kilian provided the points. The Sachem advantage was extended to, 38-12, in the process, with a minute left.

The rest of the game was played mostly by reserves on both teams. Pentucket only had a 22-16 edge during the rest of the game but that was probably little consolation to anyone connected to the Newburyport program.

All of the Pentucket starters reached double figures in limited minutes: Kelsi McNamara (12), Alex Moore (11), Tess Nogueira (10), Coley Viselli (10), and McKenna Kilian (10).

Emily Pettigrew blocks the shot of Coley Viselli

Newburyport had ten girls score with the Pettigrew sisters (Mary and Emily) leading the way with four points each.

The Sachems connected on nine three-pointers. Reserve Kassidy Kennefick nailed two in the 4th quarter.

In the previous meeting between the two teams on January 4th at West Newbury, the Sachems rode Kelsi McNamara’s four 3’s to a, 61-33, win.

Newburyport, which has qualified for the state tournament, finishes its regular season on Thursday against Masconomet at Masconomet.

Pentucket will be hosting Hamilton-Wenham on the same night in what should be an emotional Seniors Day for the Sachems. Key pieces in the Pentucket success over the past few seasons (Alex Moore, Tess Nogueira, Coley Viselli, and Emily Dresser) will be honored.

Newburyport recognized its seniors tonight – Lea Tomasz, Rebecca Kell, and Casey Barlow.

Lea Tomasz

Casey Barlow

Rebecca Kell

Casey had her left hand wrapped but that didn’t stop the usual lefthander from making two free throws with her right hand.

Newburyport boxscore

Pentucket boxscore

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

Mine!

action under the basket

Aly Leahy heads for the hoop

Leave a comment

Filed under Newburyport, Pentucket

Tagged as Alex Moore, Casey Barlow, Coley Viselli, Kelsi McNamara, Lea Tomasz, Rebecca Kell, Tess Nogueira

February 7, 2013 · 11:33 pm

Hamilton-Wenham shocks Newburyport 49-44 with late-game run in boys basketball

Key block by Henry Eagar on Colton Fontaine late in the game

James Foye (23 points) gives the Generals the lead in the last minute

(Newburyport) The Hamilton-Wenham Generals pulled off a remarkable comeback in the final four minutes and defeated the Newburyport Clippers, 49-44, in Cape Ann League action on blizzard eve (Thursday).

Hamilton-Wenham (9-7 overall and 9-5 in the CAL) edges ahead of Newburyport (10-6 overall and 8-6 in the CAL) with this victory in the battle for second place in the Cape Ann League Division One standings.

However, the Generals next game (Tuesday night) is at North Reading against the undefeated Hornets. The Clippers travel to last-place Pentucket on the same night.

For 3 ½ quarters in this game the best run of points the Generals could put together was four. Somehow, some way in the last four minutes of regulation, the visitors put a string of twelve unanswered points together. In the process, HW turned a seven-point deficit (44-37) into a shocking, 49-44, victory.

James Foye in shot blocker territory

Newburyport took the lead early and attained a seven-point lead in the second quarter (24-17) and boosted that spread to ten (36-26) in the third period. Even with four minutes left the Clippers advantage was seven (44-37). They clearly looked as if they had this one under their control.

But they didn’t. An old-fashioned three-point play by Henry Eager (11 points), a converted rebound (James Foye), and a layup by Henry and this one was tied, 44-44, with 1:42 left.

A steal by Nikos Lara gave HW the ball back and James Foye sank one of two free throws (45-44).

Next Clipper possession, Colton Fontaine’s shot from in close was blocked by Henry Eagar. James Foye then made both free throws with twenty-two seconds left (47-44).

Colby Morris (14 points) shoots for a tie

Still within range to tie, the best Newburyport could get was a forced three from Colby Morris that missed. Shawn Kotch was fouled after getting the rebound and the sophomore canned both free throws with three seconds left (49-44).

The Generals made five straight free throws in the final fifty-one seconds.

6-2 sophomore James Foye (23 points) was impressive. He was the primary ball-handler for HW and rarely forced his offense. He faced tight coverage (mainly Adam Traxler) all night long yet had few turnovers. James had a steal-and-score late in the third quarter and a key rebound-and-score during HW’s remarkable 12-point finish.

Newburyport had the long ball working – six. Colby Morris (14 points) had four of them.

Adam Traxler defends James Foye

Ian Michaels had a terrific second quarter collecting twelve points in a variety of ways. The surprise was that these were the only points Ian had in the game.

HW made fifteen-for-eighteen at the charity stripe.

Newburyport won the first meeting with the Generals, 54-50, in December at Hamilton.

Hamilton-Wenham started the season inexperienced and 1-5.

Moving the game up a day to avoid the potential bad weather was a smart idea. However, I’m sure the coaches would have been more comfortable with that extra day to prepare.

Hamilton-Wenham box score

Newburyport box score

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

Dillon Guthro set to block

Henry Eagar

James Foye

Adam Traxler

Colby Morris

Leave a comment

Filed under Hamilton-Wenham, Newburyport

Tagged as Colby Morris, Dillon Guthro, Henry Eagar, Ian Michaels, James Foye

January 30, 2013 · 1:44 pm

Newburyport holds off Lynnfield in overtime 66-62 in boys basketball

Colton Fontaine (twenty points and twelve rebounds) breaks away in overtime

Pat Kearney (31 points) drives past Adam Traxler

(Newburyport) I overheard Clipper coach Tom L’Italien say to his team before overtime started, “I told you that this was going to be a struggle.”

And it sure was but Newburyport (9-4) held off a good Lynnfield (8-6) team, 66-62, in overtime on Tuesday night in Cape Ann League action.

The shorthanded Clippers were missing starters Ian Michaels (illness) and Matt Canning (injury) and labored to be consistent on offense and defense with replacements.

The Pioneers weren’t much better through three quarters missing a ton of shots. But in the final quarter (down 38-26 at the start) Pat Kearney (31 points) and Eddie Moore (10 points) caught fire and led the visitors through a 26-point quarter all the way back to overtime.

Conor Sullivan (#10) ties the score in regulation with ten seconds left

Pat had three long ones and Eddie had two in the remarkable comeback. An inbounds play with Corey Sullivan on the scoring end, with ten seconds left, finished the Pioneer run back to a tie (52-52).

The Clippers took charge in the five-minute overtime despite losing shot-blocking, rebounding, seventeen-point producing Dillon Guthro on fouls after little over a minute had gone by.

Senior John Baribeault tallied the go-ahead-for-good basket with 1 ½ left (60-57) in OT and Lynnfield ran out of the long-range success they needed to come back.

Senior Pat Kearney had eight points in the overtime to reach thirty-one points. It was hard for me to believe that this was the same player I saw held to four points by undefeated North Reading four days ago in the Hornets’ 62-36 win. When you’re hot you’re hot, when you’re not…….

Clipper John Baribeault (six points in OT) sees a possible turnover

This was a tough loss for Lynnfield. They have now lost four straight with a home game ahead with a strong Manchester-Essex team on Friday night at home.

The good news for Lynnfield, however, is that they are on top in the CAL Division 2 standings. That position alone, at the end of the regular season, would gain them a spot in the post-season state tournament. They could be formidable in Division Four.

Newburyport (9-4) moves a win short of making the tournament in Division Three. This was a win pulled off without several starters while losing formidable big man Dillon Guthro in overtime, and squandering a twelve-point lead. The Clippers continued to add “excitement” in overtime by missing six of fourteen free throws.

The Clippers visit undefeated North Reading on Friday night. I came away from NR’s 62-36 win over Lynnfield four days ago believing I had seen the best player in the Cape Ann League. That player is 6-4 John Mastascusa. The transfer from Malden Catholic had twenty points, including four dunks, without forcing his offense against Lynnfield. John plays on the perimeter so I suspect that Colton Fontaine will draw the very tough defensive assignment.

Colton Fontaine scores despite a block attempt by Pat Kearney

6-1 Colton led the Newburyport scorers against Lynnfield with twenty points and also took in twelve rebounds.

John Baribeault (11 points) and Colby Morris (10 points) also reached double figures for the winners.

Impressive ball-handling performance at halftime by a large delegation of Bresnahan students.

Newburyport boxscore

Lynnfield boxscore

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

Colby Morris (10 points) shoots over Traverse Briana

halftime performers

Drew Bourdeau rebounds

John Baribeault puts Newburyport ahead for good in OT

Eddie Moore (eight points in 4th quarter comeback) defends

Dillon Guthro beats Adam Buchanan to the hoop

Pat Kearney blocks the shot of Mike Shay

Leave a comment

Filed under Lynnfield, Newburyport

Tagged as Colton Fontaine, Dillon Guthro, John Baribeault, Pat Kearney

January 21, 2013 · 8:28 pm

Newburyport holds off Ipswich 50-39 for eighth win in boys basketball

Sophomore Mike Shay had two layups off Ipswich turnovers

Colby Morris (15 points) had four 3-pointers

(Newburyport) The Newburyport withstood a late Ipswich rally and defeated the Tigers, 50-39, on Monday afternoon in a nonleague game.

The Clippers lead, which had been as high as fifteen points (37-22), was only six (41-35) with four minutes left in the fourth quarter.

At that point, the home team answered with a game-deciding seven straight points on layups by Colton Fontaine (14 points) and a 3-pointer by Colby Morris (15 points). A tenuous six-point lead quickly became a much more comfortable thirteen-point lead with two minutes left.

Newburyport (8-3) needs two more wins in their six remaining games to qualify for the MIAA tournament. The Clippers will be at Georgetown on Friday night.

Newburyport stung Ipswich (2-10) with six 3-pointers. Colby Morris had four of them including three in the first 5 ½ minutes of the game.

Adam Traxler and Matt Jaeger

While Colby had nine first-period points, Ipswich’s Matt Jaeger also had a three as well as two jumpers. The Tigers trailed only 15-13 after a quarter.

If Ipswich coach Alan Laroche could erase one of the four quarters in this game it would surely be the second quarter. Why? The Tigers tallied just five points, had seven turnovers, watched Newburyport score eleven straight, and trailed by ten (28-18) when that quarter was over.

Sophomore Mike Shay came off the bench to be the finisher twice in that quarter after Ipswich miscues. In the eleven-straight segment Ian Michaels (8 points) nailed a three and Colton Fontaine added a layup and a free throw.

The Clippers had another run of unanswered offense (eight straight) in the third period. A second Ian Michaels three combined with a layup, a converted rebound, and a free throw, all by Colton Fontaine, did the damage for Newburyport. This surge gave the Clippers a commanding 37-22 advantage with three minutes left in the third quarter.

Colton Fontaine (14 points) looks for an opening against Ipswich shot-blocker Erik Fyrer (11 points)

Ipswich was down but not entirely out as Erik Fyrer (11 points) led the Tigers back into a challenging position during the next six minutes of playing time. The 6-4 junior, despite heavy coverage by Colton Fontaine, posted eight points during the Ipswich rally and helped cut the Newburyport margin down to 41-35.

However, Newburyport was able to regain control and come away with their eighth victory of the season.

The Clippers have won four of their last five. The Tigers have lost seven of their last eight.

Ipswich will host Hamilton-Wenham on Friday.

Both Doug Hoak (Hamilton-Wenham) and Dave Clay (Triton) were interested spectators.

Colby Morris drives past Kyle Blomster

A team with multiple 3-point shooters will always be difficult to defend. With Colby Morris back, after missing five games, the Clippers can hurt opponents long range with Colby and Ian Michaels.

Colby Morris didn’t play in the regular season game with Ipswich that the Clippers won, 38-26. That was the game in which the halftime score was an uninspiring, 13-7.

Erik Fyrer ended up with eight rebounds and four blocks according to my statistician.

Dillon Guthro slid painfully into the stands.

Newburyport boxscore

Ipswich boxscore

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

Matt Canning defended by Aleks Kuljic (12) and Kyle Blomster (15)

Erik Fyrer goes for the block against Ian Michaels

Erik Fyrer puts a block on Drew Bourdeau

Dillon Guthro and Quinn OConnor

young Tiger fan

Leave a comment

Filed under Ipswich, Newburyport

Tagged as Colby Morris, Colton Fontaine, Erik Fyrer, Ian Michaels

January 11, 2013 · 11:39 pm

Newburyport rally falls short as Manchester-Essex wins 54-38 in boys basketball

Liam Aldrich (10 points) looks for someone to pass to

Ian Michaels (17 points) gets airborne

(Newburyport) Newburyport had Manchester-Essex on the ropes early in the final quarter but went verrrrry cold over the last six minutes and lost to the Hornets, 54-38, on Friday night in Cape Ann League action.

The Clippers (5-3) trailed by thirteen (37-24) in the closing minutes of the third quarter but, led by Ian Michaels (17 points), cut the lead to six (42-36) with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

But over the last six minutes Newburyport had only one basket (Dillon Guthro layup from Ian Michaels) and that enabled the visitors to pad their lead to a comfortable sixteen by game’s end.

Max Nesbit (19 points) sent the Hornets (5-4) into the comfort zone with an old-fashioned three and an assist on Sean Gutierrez’s layup. Liam Aldrich (10 points) capped the eight point run with an old-fashioned three. This consecutive point surge gave ME a commanding 50-36 advantage with three minutes left. They coasted in from there.

Petey Morton (8 points)

Newburyport, which had won five of their last six, was ahead for most of the first quarter, until a three by Petey Morton (8 points) gave ME their first lead, 16-14, in the last thirty seconds of that quarter. The Hornets stayed in front the rest of the game.

Manchester-Essex, which has now won five of their last six games, boosted their advantage to seven in the second quarter and thirteen in the third quarter before the Clippers made their run to within six points in the final quarter.

Senior Max Nesbit nailed four 3’s in the game and saw a lot more open looks than a player with his shooting reputation should have had.

The Clippers continue to play without ball handler/shooter Co-Captain Colby Morris. Poor shooting was certainly an issue for Newburyport versus ME but just as significant was shaky ball management. By my unofficial count, Newburyport had eighteen turnovers including nine in the second quarter.

Dillon Guthro (eight points) waits for a pass

Clipper Dillon Guthro (8 points) was injured in the first quarter and returned in the second quarter with a noticeable limp.

A good matchup was between point guards Adam Traxler and Liam Aldrich. Liam showed a fancy move down the lane in the third quarter that raised some ooh’s and ah’s from the crowd.

ME’s tallest player (Sean Gutierrez) went out with four fouls early in the third quarter.

Both ME and Newburyport have lost to undefeated North Reading.

The Hornets were 19-3 last season and 52-14 over the last three seasons. Coach Bryan Shields is a first-year coach. This year’s Hornets started with three straight losses but have done very well since.

Freshman Dan Baribeault chases a loose ball

Newburyport was 15-7 last season.

I was told that in their last game at Ipswich the Clippers had an 11-7 lead at halftime.

The Hornets will host Triton on Monday in their next game.

The Clippers travel to Rockport on Tuesday for their next action.

Manchester-Essex boxscore

Newburyport boxscore

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

halftime shooter

in bounds play

Max Nesbit had nineteen points

Taylor Ketchum splits the Clippers defense

Hornet Sean Gutierrez leans into John Baribeault

loose ball

Dan Baribeault finds an opening

Taylor Ketchum runs into defenders Matt Canning and Dillon Guthro

Leave a comment

Filed under Manchester-Essex, Newburyport

Tagged as Dillon Guthro, Ian Michaels, Liam Aldrich, Max Nesbit

January 7, 2013 · 11:32 pm

Masconomet runs away from Newburyport 62-32 in girls basketball

Nicole Femino (14 points) breaks in alone

Hannah Kiernan (12 points) takes and makes a difficult shot.

(Newburyport) After losing badly to the cream of Division 3 (Pentucket) on Friday, Newburyport hoped for a better outing against Masconomet.

Didn’t happen.

Masco (6-2) ran away from the Clippers, 62-32, on Monday night at Newburyport.

“Ran away” is a good description because the Chieftains put fastbreak after fastbreak on the cold shooting home team. The Clippers (3-4) got caught numerous times chasing offensive rebounds instead of getting back on defense.

When Masco wasn’t getting layups (they had fourteen) they were getting foul shots (they had twenty-eight).

The Chieftains made eighteen free throws.

Aly Leahy tries to split two Chieftain defenders

Aly Leahy of Newburyport opened the scoring with a free throw. Nicole Femino (14 points) matched that and then sent Hannah Kiernan (12 points) off on a breakaway layup. Hannah’s basket gave Masco the lead (3-1) for good.

Masco led, 14-6, after one quarter and doubled it to, 28-12, at halftime.

The Chieftains started the second half with a 12-4 run over 3 ½ minutes to increase their lead to, 40-16. Sophomore Meghan Collins (8 points) scored the first two baskets, one on a nice spin move.

During the last 12 ½ minutes of the game Newburyport was only outscored, 22-16, but this was not a night in which a late rally materialized.

Janelle Shea blocks the shot of Mary Pettigrew

There was no point in the game where the Clippers were able to put more than four points together in a row. Cold shooting was part of it but the Chieftains were defending well inside – Newburyport scored four layups in the game.

On the other hand, because of the frequency of layups, Masco ran points together. On seven different occasions they scored at least six points in a row.

Lilly Donovan (9 points) paced Newburyport. She hit a three in the first quarter that went off the backboard.

Casey Barlow (8 points) was credited with a basket when her attempt at a pass under the basket was deflected in off a Masconomet player.

Coach Bob Romeo of Masco was deep into his bench late in the first half. He ended up having eleven different players score.

Amy Sullivan defends

You have to feel sorry for Newburyport. What a killer schedule! They have just finished playing Ipswich, Pentucket, and now Masconomet. Next game (Thursday) they host Ipswich in a league game. Ipswich and Pentucket are undefeated. Masco is a Division One team that gave both of those teams a run for their money before losing to them.

Molly Rowe (Bentley) and Joe Clancy (Merrimack) were in the house.

Masco’s next game will be hosting Amesbury on Wednesday night.

Finding information on Cape Ann League teams is a serious challenge. One helpful site is www.calscores.com. There you’ll find schedules, scores, and standings.

Details about teams can be very illusive. However, that is no longer true regarding the Lady Chieftains. Click on this link and see what I mean.

Masco box score

Newburyport box score

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