Category Archives: Triton

Hamilton-Wenham rallies to defeat Triton 51-44 in season opener

Max Zegarowski (14 points) defends Nick Venora (12 points)

Max Zegarowski (14 points) defends Nick Venora (12 points)

Nolan Wilson (15 points) gave Triton trouble inside

Nolan Wilson (15 points) gave Triton trouble inside

(Byfield MA) Hamilton-Wenham went down by eleven in the first quarter but rallied back to defeat Triton, 51-44, in the season opener for both squads in the Cape Ann League on Tuesday night.

The Vikings shot well early and played the Generals even in the second half but had a nightmare segment in between.  Triton went from a 15-4 lead in the first quarter to a 29-17 deficit in the third quarter during just under twelve minutes of playing time.  Nine Vikings’ turnovers played a big part in the lengthy drought.

Newcomer Nolan Wilson (transfer from Landmark) paced HW with fifteen points.  Nolan is 6-5 and at least 200 pounds and Triton (with 6-4 Ellsworth Rogers injured) had trouble matching up.  The Generals seemed to look to get the ball inside on each possession.

Max Zegarowski finished with fourteen points.  The 6-5 sophomore nailed four 3’s in the Generals’ 25-2 surge.

Senior Cam Armand (13 points) keyed Triton’s fast start with ten points in the first quarter.

Corey Parsons (15 points) eyes the hoop

Corey Parsons (15 points) eyes the hoop

Triton was down by twelve (29-17) early in the second half but Corey Parsons (15 points) and Nick Venora (12 points) carried the team to within four points in the final quarter.

Nikos Lara enabled the visitors to preserve their lead down the stretch with an old-fashioned 3-point play at the three-minute mark and minute later converting his own miss for a basket.

Marcus Zegarowski (11 points) was solid playing point guard for HW.  The sophomore made a couple of quick drives to the basket in the first half.

Jimmy Campbell in heavy traffic

Jimmy Campbell in heavy traffic

Jimmy Campbell finished with six points but had at least five assists.  In the end game he was matched up on Triton’s Corey Parsons.

The Vikings Kevin Clark didn’t score any points but he did a pretty good job covering the Zegarowski brothers.

Both teams resume play on Friday night.  HW hosts Pentucket while Triton travels to North Reading.

Jimmy Campbell was a Cape Ann League first team All-Star last year.  Ellsworth Rogers, Cam Armand and Marcus Zegarowski were on the second team.

HW       7   15   13  15   51
Triton  15   2   13   14   44

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

Marcus Zegarowski (11 points) launches a three

Marcus Zegarowski (11 points) launches a three

Nikos Lara shoots in the lane

Nikos Lara shoots in the lane

Kevin Clark defends Max Zegarowski

Kevin Clark defends Max Zegarowski

loose ball

loose ball

Corey Parsons double-teamed by Nikos Lara and Max Zegarowski

Corey Parsons double-teamed by Nikos Lara and Max Zegarowski

Cam Armand (13 points) keyed the Vikings fast start

Cam Armand (13 points) keyed the Vikings fast start

opening tip

opening tip

Ellsworth Rogers (blue sweater) watches

Ellsworth Rogers (blue sweater) watches

 

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Filed under Hamilton-Wenham, Triton

2014 Cape Ann League All-Star softball team (pictures)

Alexi Boswell

Alexi Boswell

Rachel Cyr

Rachel Cyr

Autumn Kligerman

Autumn Kligerman

Jen Nutter

Jen Nutter

Maddy Crateau

Maddy Crateau

Meredith Kercher

Meredith Kercher

Hannah Travers (#20)

Hannah Travers (#20)

Paige Zeval

Paige Zeval

Julianna Kostas

Julianna Kostas

Alex Mendelsohn

Alex Mendelsohn

Kylie Currier

Kylie Currier

Vicki Allman

Vicki Allman

Ashley Hodge

Ashley Hodge

Catcher Sophia Warner

Catcher Sophia Warner

Kassidy Kennefick

Kassidy Kennefick

Maddie Binding

Maddie Binding

Kayla Parisi

Kayla Parisi

Mara Spears

Mara Spears

(Annika Han, Melanie Carter, and Jackilyn Murphy also made the team.)

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Georgetown, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Masconomet, Newburyport, Pentucket, Triton

2014 Cape Ann League All-League softball team (pictures)

Amanda Schell (Player-of-the-Year)

Amanda Schell (Player-of-the-Year)

Emily Dow (Player-of-the-Year)

Emily Dow (Player-of-the-Year)

Carolyn Lynch

Carolyn Lynch

Shortstop Rachel Gallagher

Shortstop Rachel Gallagher

Maddie Kelly

Maddie Kelly

Carley Siemasko

Carley Siemasko

Cassidy Gaeta

Cassidy Gaeta

Jen Castro and Tarah Reilly

Jen Castro and Tarah Reilly

Tyler Feeney

Tyler Feeney

Hannah Lorden

Hannah Lorden

Jess Collins

Jess Collins

Kylie Gilroy

Kylie Gilroy

(Jackie Whelan of Lynnfield also made the CAL 2014 All-League team.)

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Masconomet, Newburyport, North Reading, Pentucket, Rockport, Triton

Newburyport takes a tight one from Triton 2-1

Jeremy Grabowski (#11) points baserunner Caleb Stott to home

Jeremy Grabowski (#11) points baserunner Caleb Stott to home

Coach Steve Malenfant congratulates reliever Will Cataldo

Coach Steve Malenfant congratulates reliever Will Cataldo

(Byfield MA) It was not as if the Newburyport Clippers weren’t in familiar territory.

For the ninth time this season the Clippers found themselves in a one-run game and this time it went their way, 2-1, over Triton on a cloudy/sunny Tuesday afternoon of Cape Ann League baseball.

Newburyport (7-11) is now 5-4 in one-run games.

The loss pushes Triton (7-10) to the brink of elimination from post-season play.  The Vikings must win their final three games starting with North Reading on Thursday.

Caleb Stott and Scott Webster combined (twice) to give the Clippers the runs they needed.  Caleb  reached base in the first and third innings, stole second both times, and scored both times on singles by Scott.

Triton had the makings of big innings in place in the second and sixth innings when they loaded the bases in each inning with one out.  The Vikings only came away with one run.  NHS starter Cam Beaulieu struck out Michael Talbot and Brad Whitman to end the second.  In the sixth, reliever Will Cataldo K’d Jack Germinara and got a ground out from Michael Talbot to keep Triton from getting any runs in that inning.

Adam Chatterton

Adam Chatterton

Junior Adam Chatterton (4-3) certainly deserved a better fate for his complete-game effort.  The Triton righty allowed only four hits to go along with ten strikeouts.

Adam was the winning pitcher in Triton’s 4-1 victory over Newburyport in April.

Adam and Billy Mical paced the Vikings with two hits apiece.

Second baseman Matt Short was on the tagging end of Nick Desrocher’s steal attempt in the first inning and came up limping.

Other than Scott Webster’s throwing error in the second inning, the Clippers were flawless in the field.

Chance Carpenter looked like a dead duck when he tried to stretch a single into a double but somehow found a way to get around Brad Whitman’s tag at second.  Chance then stole third with one out but Adam Chatterton retired Scott Webster and Ryan Furlong to end the threat.

Billy Mical (#9) scores the Triton run in the second

Billy Mical (#9) scores the Triton run in the second

On Caleb Stott’s single in the fifth inning (that led to Newburyport’s second run) third baseman Billy Mical was in on the grass guarding against a bunt.  Billy never had a chance at Caleb’s liner down the line.

Shortstop Caleb Stott was part of Newburyport’s 6-3 double-play that ended the fifth inning.

Junior Will Cataldo set the last five Triton batters down in order to get the save.

Newburyport will host Pentucket on Saturday.

Newburyport box

Triton box

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

Chance Carpenter avoids the tag at second

Chance Carpenter avoids the tag at second

close play

close play

Scott Webster steals second

Scott Webster steals second

Caleb Stott starts a double play

Caleb Stott starts a double play

Starter Cam Beaulieu

Starter Cam Beaulieu

Justin Cashman

Justin Cashman

Scott Webster (2 RBI)

Scott Webster (2 RBI)

Billy Mical tracks a popup

Billy Mical tracks a popup

Nick Desrocher slides into second baseman Matt Short

Nick Desrocher slides into second baseman Matt Short

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Filed under Cape Ann League, Newburyport, Triton

Shelby O’Brien’s 3-run homer leads Newburyport past Triton 5-2

Taylor Johnson tagged out at third base by Meg Stanton as Triton coach Michele Brewer watches

Taylor Johnson tagged out at third base by Meg Stanton as Triton coach Michele Brewer watches

Shelby OBrien hit a 3-run homer in the first inning

Shelby OBrien hit a 3-run homer in the first inning

(Newburyport MA) Shelby O’Brien’s three-run homer was the big hit for Newburyport in their, 5-2, win over Triton on Monday afternoon.

A huge win for the Clippers (9-8) as they try to qualify for the post-season.  They now need one win in their three remaining games to get it done.

The loss ended a three-game slide for the home team.  Their next game is at Pentucket on Wednesday.

Triton (5-13) had a five game win-streak in mid-season but have struggled in the games before and after that run of good softball.

The Vikings were missing four starters (Rylee Culverwell, Casey Ross, Christine Ciccone, Julia Hartman) for today’s game.  That put inexperienced players into unfamiliar places.

Newburyport scored three in the first inning and two in the third inning.  Triton got its runs in the first two innings.

Morgan Johnston and Vicki Allman after the 9th Newburyport win

Morgan Johnston and Vicki Allman after the 9th Newburyport win

Senior Vicki Allman pitched a 5-hitter for the Clippers with no walks.  After the first two innings, only one Viking (Emma McGonagle) was able to get to second base over the final five innings.

Vicki was hit hard in the first inning in more ways than one.  Mara Spears led off with a triple to left center.  Third batter (Kylie Gilroy) lined a shot off of Vicki’s left knee.  Vicki was able to recover and throw Kylie out but Mara scored and Vicki went down with a sore knee.  With backup pitcher Stephanie Gleason nowhere in sight, I’m not sure what NHS Lori Solazzo would have done for pitching if Vicki couldn’t continue.  But Vicki did continue and immediately had another liner hit at her which she caught ending the inning.

Newburyport put up three runs of their own in their half of the first.  Morgan Johnston beat out an infield hit and Carley Siemasko singled on the ground to right.  Shelby O’Brien followed with a high fly deep to the right-field corner.  Rightfielder Cailin Fraser had trouble finding the ball because it was over her head, hit high, and influenced by some gusty wind.  Shelby was into third before the ball was even picked up and reached home easily.

The Clippers would load the bases after the homer but Mara Spears struck out Shianne Sneider to limit the damage to three runs.

Olivia Lees

Olivia Lees

Triton got a run back in the second.  Sophomore Olivia Lees singled in the hole with two outs and was driven home by Taylor Johnson’s double.  The inning ended with Taylor being tagged out by Newburyport third baseman Meg Stanton.

The Clippers added two runs to their 3-2 lead in their half of the third inning.  Meg Stanton singled and Molly Kelley walked before junior Shianne Sneider hit an RBI single to right.  Ashley Hodge followed with an RBI double to left.

That 5-2 count would hold up the rest of the way.  There were few baserunners as the pitchers (Vicki Allman & Mara Spears and later Haley Johnson) threw strikes and had flawless defense behind them.

Weather?  We had the Big Three in this one: cloudy, rainy, and sunny.  I actually watched quite a few innings from my truck!  My only regret was that Shelby’s homer was hit during the rainy part of the game and my camera was staying dry in my truck.

Casey Barlow, Kendra Dow, and Maddy Stanton were on hand to support their former Newburyport teammates.

Triton plays its last game on Wednesday at Saugus.

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

Vicki Allman caught in a rundown

Vicki Allman caught in a rundown

Shianne Sneider (one RBI) reaches 3B as Emma McGonagle awaits the throw

Shianne Sneider (one RBI) reaches 3B as Emma McGonagle awaits the throw

Meg Stanton sets to throw out baserunner Shannon Lyons

Meg Stanton sets to throw out baserunner Shannon Lyons

 

Infield grounder gets by second baseman Kylie Gilroy

Infield grounder gets by second baseman Kylie Gilroy

Mara Spears watches the pitcher

Mara Spears watches the pitcher

Second baseman Molly Kelley camps under a popup

Second baseman Molly Kelley camps under a popup

Haley Johnson

Haley Johnson

Triton pitcher Haley Johnson throws to 1B Lilly Anderson

Triton pitcher Haley Johnson throws to 1B Lilly Anderson

Carley Siemasko looks for a popup hit by Mara Spears

Carley Siemasko looks for a popup hit by Mara Spears

Shannon Lyons tracks down a base hit

Shannon Lyons tracks down a base hit

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Jenny Nelson k’s eleven leading Pentucket past Triton 5-0 in Cape Ann League softball

Pentucket sophomore Jenny Nelson dominated Triton

Pentucket sophomore Jenny Nelson dominated Triton

Pentucket shortstop Kassidy Kennefick chases down a foul popup

Pentucket shortstop Kassidy Kennefick chases down a foul popup

(Byfield MA)  Way too much Jenny Nelson for the Triton Vikings on this sunny Monday afternoon.

The Pentucket sophomore struck out eleven and scattered two hits (both by Mara Spears) as the Sachems defeated Triton, 5-0, in Cape Ann League softball.

The last three games for Triton (5-11) have been a big surprise to anyone connected to their program.  The Vikings had put five straight wins together but since then have not only lost three straight but haven’t scored a run in twenty-three straight innings.

Pentucket (7-7) has now won two straight.  They need to get to ten wins in the remaining six games to qualify for the post-season tournament.  You have to like their chances after the way they played today.

Mary Kate Corrado fields a grounder

Mary Kate Corrado fields a grounder

The Sachems collected an unearned run in the first inning.  Sophomore Maddie Binding and junior Kassidy Kennefick started the inning with singles.  Tyler Feeney’s sacrifice fly moved Maddie to third.  Mary Kate Corrado’s two-out grounder was booted by shortstop Rylie Culverwell scoring Maddie Binding.

Pentucket loaded the bases with singles in the third with one out.  Mary Kate Corrado’s grounder to short resulted in a baserunner interference call on Tyler Feeney but pinchrunner Sarah Stewart reached home with Pentucket’s second run.

confusion in the Triton outfield

confusion in the Triton outfield

Ahead 2-0, the visitors created two runs in the fifth inning off of Triton reliever Haley Johnson.  Kassidy Kennefick put down a perfect bunt to reach.  Then Tyler Feeney lofted a popup into right field that was misjudged by rightfielder Cailin Fraser allowing Kassidy to reach third.  Kassidy then scored on Sydney Snow’s RBI single with Tyler taking third.  Tyler surprised the Vikings by stealing home after a throwback from catcher Julia Hartman to pitcher Haley Johnson.

The final Pentucket run was set up in the sixth inning by a sacrifice bunt (Jenny Nelson) that alert baserunner Nicolette Kent used to get from first to third on.  That baserunning put Nicolette at third where she came home on senior Allison Knowles sacrifice fly.

Pitcher Jenny Nelson eyes an infield popup with second baseman Sydney Snow behind her

Pitcher Jenny Nelson eyes an infield popup with second baseman Sydney Snow behind her

And while Pentucket was finding ways to score runs, the Vikings struggled to get baserunners. They had only four in the entire game.  Triton had only one fly-ball out.  They did get runners to second and third in the sixth inning but pitcher Jenny Nelson handled Emma McGonagle’s popup to end the inning.

Shortstop Kassidy Kennefick made a nice running catch in foul territory in the fourth inning.

Triton’s second baseman Kylie Gilroy put on quite a show in the Pentucket seventh.  The senior captain handled three tough chances flawlessly: (1) running catch on a popup, (2) speared a line drive to her right, and (3) came up with a hard-hit grounder to throw out Sydney Snow.  Good stuff!

The top four hitters in the Pentucket lineup (Maddie Binding, Kassidy Kennefick, Tyler Feeney, and Sydney Snow) each had two hits.  The rest of the batting order…………..not so much!

Triton’s next game will be at Masconomet on Wednesday.  Pentucket hosts Manchester-Essex tomorrow (Tuesday).

Weather?  When you get a breeze at Triton that feels good, you know it’s warm out and it was.

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

Mara Spears

Mara Spears

Lilly Anderson

Lilly Anderson

Triton second baseman Kylie Gilroy had 3 defensive gems in the 7th inning

Triton second baseman Kylie Gilroy had 3 defensive gems in the 7th inning

Triton shortstop Rylie Culverwell throws to first

Triton shortstop Rylie Culverwell throws to first

Freshman Haley Johnson

Freshman Haley Johnson

Kassidy Kennefick heads home with the 4th Pentucket run

Kassidy Kennefick heads home with the 4th Pentucket run

Kylie Gilroy

Kylie Gilroy

Nikki ORourke

Nikki ORourke

Jenny Nelson

Jenny Nelson

Sydney Snow

Sydney Snow

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Filed under Cape Ann League, Pentucket, Triton

Rockport ends Triton’s five-game win streak with 8-0 shutout

Jess Collins: 4 innings/1 hit/3 strikeouts

Jess Collins: 4 innings/1 hit/3 strikeouts

Hannah Lorden: 3 innings/2 hits/2 strikeouts

Hannah Lorden: 3 innings/2 hits/2 strikeouts

Emily Faulds tracks a popup

Emily Faulds tracks a popup

(Byfield MA)  Triton ran into some excellent Rockport pitching and defense and lost, 8-0, on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon of Cape Ann League softball.

Senior Hannah Lorden and junior Jess Collins scattered three hits and never allowed a Triton baserunner to get past second base.  The defense behind them made every play without an error.

The home team certainly didn’t help their chances of scoring some runs by running into two outs on the base paths.

Rockport took charge of this game in the fifth inning.  Eleven batters came to the plate and six of them scored.  Two Triton errors extended the inning for the visitors.

Rockport (7-4) picked up an unearned run in the first inning.  Second baseman Kylie Gilroy dropped a popup by leadoff batter Hannah Lorden.  Later in the inning, junior Kayla Parisi’s long double to center brought Hannah across.

Second baseman Kylie Gilroy makes a nice catch

Second baseman Kylie Gilroy makes a nice catch

Triton (5-10) kept Rockport off the scoreboard in the third and fourth thanks to some terrific defense. Rightfielder Cara Orlandi ended the Rockport third with a nice running catch.  In the fourth, pitcher Mara Spears ended that one with a stab of a grounder that would have scored runs had it gone through.

Things unraveled for Triton in the fifth inning.  Errors by centerfielder Casey Ross and shortstop Rylie Culverwell gave Rockport extra at bats.  The visitors had six hits including doubles by Rachel Haselgard and Jess Collins which each delivered two runs.  CF Casey Ross was injured running in on a fly ball during the inning and had to leave the game.

Rockport loaded the bases in the seventh inning.  Hannah Lorden drove Meghan Tupper home with the 8th Rockport run.

Meghan Tupper had three hits, scored two runs, and had an RBI.  Teammates Hannah Lorden, Emily Faulds, and Rachel Davis all had two hits for Rockport.

Senior Mollie Watson will be attending Division 2 Southern New Hampshire next year.  Mara Spears will be going to Grand Valley State University in Michigan.

Emma McGonagle had two of Triton’s three hits.

Weather?  Blue sky and no wind.  Beautiful afternoon.

Lily Anderson nearly picked off first base

Lily Anderson nearly picked off first base

Emma McGonagle and Lily Anderson made outs on the bases for Triton.

Rockport has won three straight.  They will be at Lynnfield on Monday.

Triton will be hosting Amesbury on Friday.

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

Vikings looking for a handle

Vikings looking for a handle

Casey Ross battles the sun to catch a fly ball in center.

Casey Ross battles the sun to catch a fly ball in center.

Christine Ciccone fields a grounder

Christine Ciccone fields a grounder

Lily Anderson doubled off second

Lily Anderson doubled off second

Meaghan Wonson

Meaghan Wonson

Kayla Parisi beats Shannon Lyons to first for the final out of the game

Kayla Parisi beats Shannon Lyons to first for the final out of the game

Catcher Mollie Watson catches a foul popup

Catcher Mollie Watson catches a foul popup

Second baseman Emily Faulds makes a backhand stab

Second baseman Emily Faulds makes a backhand stab

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Filed under Cape Ann League, Rockport, Triton

Triton softball takes 2nd straight with 13-1 win over Ipswich

Triton pitcher Mara Spears sets to throw to first.

Triton pitcher Mara Spears sets to throw to first.

The Triton defense was flawless.  Here 3B Christine Ciccone catches a foul popup

The Triton defense was flawless. Here 3B Christine Ciccone catches a foul popup

(Byfield MA)  That’s two straight for the Triton softball team.

The Vikings (2-8) defeated winless Ipswich, 13-1, on a windy, cold Monday afternoon of Cape Ann League softball.

The game ended in the fifth inning when Taylor Johnson slid across after a wild pitch to kick in the 12-run mercy rule.

Mara Spears, coming off a 3-hitter in the Vikings, 2-0, win at Saugus on Friday, tossed another 3-hitter against the visiting Tigers.  Mara walked only one Tiger and the Triton defense was flawless behind her.

Carolyn Lynch scores the Ipswich run

Carolyn Lynch scores the Ipswich run

Ipswich put the three hits together in the second inning and got their only run as Amy Neenan drove in teammate Carolyn Lynch with a single.

The Vikings took full advantage of Ipswich walks, wild pitches, and errors through the first three innings to take a commanding, 9-1, lead.

In the final inning plus, Triton rapped six hits to collect four more runs.

The Vikings sent nine batters to the plate in three of the 4+ innings they batted.

Christine Ciccone paced Triton with two RBI both on walks.  Lily Anderson, Rylee Culverwell, Casey Ross, and Mara Spears had one RBI each.

The top three in the Vikings’ batting order (Rylee Culverwell, Casey Ross, Mara Spears) each scored three runs.  Mara had as many hits (three) as she gave Ipswich.

Second baseman Gabby DAgostino stops a grounder

Second baseman Gabby DAgostino stops a grounder

IHS starter sophomore Abby Sadoway issued nine walks in three innings of work. Five of the nine runners that scored did so on wild pitches.

Freshman Katie Lynch started the fourth and yielded four runs on six hits.

Ipswich (0-5) has allowed 83 runs through five games with the large number of free passes hurting the Tigers.  IHS coach Jim Hounam (coached Triton for 20+ years) will look to turn things around tomorrow when Ipswich hosts Georgetown.

Triton has turned its season around after starting with eight straight losses under first-year coach Michele Brewer.  In the string of losses, the Vikings were on the wrong end of three one-run games.

shortstop Rylee Culverwell

shortstop Rylee Culverwell

In the 2-0 win over Saugus, Rylee Culverwell had a home run.

Triton will be at Lynnfield tomorrow (Tuesday).

Carolyn Lynch (Ipswich) and Mara Spears (Triton) were Cape Ann League All-League selections in 2013.  Jill Lombard (Ipswich) was a CAL All-Star.

Sophomore Rylee Culverwell looks like a natural at shortstop.  She played 3B last year.

Triton catcher Julia Hartman walked all four times she batted.

Weather?  Any time you come to Triton there will be wind.  If you ever come there when it is cloudy you can expect it to be colder than you planned.

Triton used to only have a fence in right field.  It is now extended around the entire outfield.  There was no way a ball could ever be hit over that fence the way the wind was blowing in from left field this afternoon.

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

Shannon Lyons about to catch a fly ball

Shannon Lyons about to catch a fly ball

Jill Lombard

Jill Lombard

Carolyn Lynch set to throw to first

Carolyn Lynch set to throw to first

Katie Lynch

Katie Lynch

Casey Ross get 3B as Carly Coughlin reaches for the ball

Casey Ross gets 3B as Carly Coughlin reaches for the ball

Mara Spears

Mara Spears

Kylie Gilroy fields a grounder

Kylie Gilroy fields a grounder

Abby Sadoway

Abby Sadoway

Julia Hartman (4 walks)

Julia Hartman (4 walks)

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Filed under Cape Ann League, Ipswich, Triton

Speedy Pentucket runs away from Triton 59-39

Jeff Porter (13 points) gets one of many Pentucket breakaways

Jeff Porter (13 points) gets one of many Pentucket breakaways

Will Sullivan (9 points) gets inside Jake Gilbert for two

Will Sullivan (9 points) gets inside Jake Gilbert for two

(West Newbury MA)  No catching the Sachems on this night!

Pentucket (7-9) was way too fast as they defeated Triton, 59-39, on Thursday night in Cape Ann League action ending a three-game losing streak.

Triton (4-12) did not shoot very well most of the evening and it seemed as if every time the Vikings missed, Pentucket would break away for layups down the other end.

The Sachems jumped out 7-0 and never trailed.

In the second quarter the Pentucket advantage would reach sixteen (22-6) before Corey Parsons (14 points) hit two three’s in the last 1 1/2 minutes to cut the Sachems margin to eight (28-20).

I anticipated a competitive game in the second half and suspected that Triton would get closer.  If the Vikings could start making shots and stop getting caught in the frontcourt on misses, things could turn around.  Unfortunately for the visitors, the second half was way too similar to the first half.

Ryan Kuchar tries to drive on Jack Germinara

Ryan Kuchar tries to drive on Jack Germinara

Pentucket started the second half with eleven straight points.  Jeff Porter (13 points) had three layups in the run including one on an inbounds play.

Meanwhile, during this same stretch, Coach Dave Clay of Triton burned his fourth timeout and pulled his starters.  However, on this night, there was nothing that the Triton coaching staff could do to turn this one around.

Corey Parson’s three put the Triton deficit at twenty-two (44-25) with 2 1/2 minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The next five minutes of playing time were all Pentucket (again).  The Sachems put nine unanswered points together and led, 53-25, with 5+ minutes left in the game.

Corey Parsons (14 points) lines up a three

Corey Parsons (14 points) lines up a three

The Vikings bunched eleven points into the last three minutes to lessen the Pentucket spread to 59-39 when this one was over.

The lights dimmed in the first quarter because of a power outage in another part of West Newbury.  Three nights ago in the same gymnasium, the lights went out because someone pulled the wrong switch in the Masconomet girls’ locker room.

Eleven players scored for Pentucket.  Jake Bortdeiano and Will Sullivan had nine apiece.

There will be a rematch between the two teams next Monday at Triton.

Triton hosts Newburyport tomorrow.  A number of Clippers were on hand checking out the Vikings against Pentucket.

Pentucket hosts North Reading tomorrow.

Pentucket box

Triton box

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

Khalil Brito gets into Pentucket traffic

Khalil Brito gets into Pentucket traffic

Jeff Porter floats over Brad Whitman

Jeff Porter floats over Brad Whitman

The lights dimmed at Pentucket for the second time this week

The lights dimmed at Pentucket for the second time this week

tussle for a loose ball

tussle for a loose ball

Kevin Clark

Kevin Clark

Jake Bordeiano blocks Brad Whitman

Jake Bordeiano blocks Brad Whitman

Nick Venora finds and opening

Nick Venora finds and opening

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Filed under Pentucket, Triton

Triton wins tight one 53-52 over Amesbury

amtr A3 OB 1amtr A4 OB 2amtr A5 OB3amtr A6 OB4amtr A7 OB 5

Cam Armand (16 points) had four long ones

Cam Armand (16 points) had four long ones

(Byfield MA) No one person loses a team game but you’d probably have trouble convincing Amesbury’s Pat Scanlon.

Pat had a great chance at a game winner in the last second of the Indians’ 53-52 loss to Triton on Monday night in Cape Ann League action.  His shot rimmed out and the Vikings survived to put to rest a six-game losing streak.

For Amesbury (2-9) the string of losses reaches eight.

This figured to be a tight game with both teams looking for their first victory in 2014 and seeing this matchup as one they could win. It turned out to be a tense contest to say the least especially in the last minute.

Ryan Foley set up Pat Scanlon for a basket in the lane with a remarkable behind-the-back pass to pull Amesbury to within one (53-52) with thirty-nine seconds left.

Brad Whitman hit two free throws with a minute left

Brad Whitman hit two free throws with a minute left

Triton (4-8) then turned the ball over (Ryan Foley steal) with twenty-five seconds to go.  Plenty of time for Amesbury.  The Indians, in fact had the ball the rest of the way.  Shots in heavy traffic by Jack Fortin and Ryan Foley failed to connect.  Then the inbounds play from Fred Halloran to Pat Scanlon failed to get the points needed as the game ended.  Close, so very close!

The Vikings relied heavily on the 3-pointer and connected eleven times.  Cam Armand and Corey Parsons both cashed in four times from long range.  Nick Venora had two and Brad Whitman one.

Amesbury chose to get to the basket as often as possible.  Pat Halloran (14 points) and Ryan Foley (10 points) made several successful drives with defenders all over them.

Pat Halloran (14 points) floats in the lane

Pat Halloran (14 points) floats in the lane

The Indians ran eleven unanswered points in the first quarter to take an 11-3 lead with 3+ minutes left.  The Vikings, playing in front of a vocal support group, recovered in the second quarter putting eight straight together to pull in front, 24-22, four minutes before halftime.

There were six lead changes in the exciting second half and neither team led by more than four points.

Amesbury missed three field goal attempts in the last twenty-five seconds but probably even bigger misses were the three front end’s of one-and-one’s by Fred Halloran, Pat Halloran, and Pat Scanlon earlier in that final quarter.  Meanwhile, Brad Whitman made both of his free throws with a minute left.  Brad’s second made free throw turned out to be the game winner.

Triton would have cringed at their final forty seconds if this game had been lost.  Up by a point, they just did not take good care of the ball.  If they had they probably would have been fouled and could have added to their lead.  Their turnover gave Amesbury a golden chance.

Corey Parson (14 points including four long ones)

Corey Parson (14 points including four long ones)

Another Vikings lapse was in Amesbury’s last possession as their defensive breakdown on the inbounds play almost gave away the game-winner to the Indians.

But it was all these near-misses and up-and-down action that made this a terrific game to watch.

And while I think of it, when a team loses by a point you have to go back to what happened to the Indians at the start of the second half.  Amesbury was very late getting back after halftime.  They never warmed up and came onto the floor not even knowing which end they were defending.  As the Indians settled into the wrong end defensively, Triton’s Kevin Clark was left alone to dribble in for an uncontested layup to start the half.  Those two points turned out to be huge.

Cam Armand (16 points) and Corey Parsons (14 points) led the Triton scorers.

Jack Fortin had two three’s for Amesbury.

Triton’s next game is Wednesday (6:30PM) hosting Rockport.

Amesbury will travel to North Reading for a 7PM game.

Amesbury box

Triton box

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

rebound battle

rebound battle

Triton cheerleaders exceed legal limit in fun

Triton cheerleaders exceed legal limit in fun

 

Ryan Foley (10 points) drives on Kevin Clark

Ryan Foley (10 points) drives on Kevin Clark

Coaches Dave Clay and Tom Comeau

Coaches Dave Clay and Tom Comeau

Pat Halloran and Jake Gilbert

Pat Halloran and Jake Gilbert

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