Marco Foster (14 points) hit consecutive three’s to give UNH separation late in the game
Coach Bill Herrion
(Durham NH) “It was a grind of a game,” said UNH coach Bill Herrion at the post-game press conference.
The Wildcats (14-12) had enough in this close/tough game to defeat Binghamton, 66-62, on Saturday afternoon at Durham.
Both teams entered the game tied at 8-8 in the American East Conference.
Vermont stands alone at the top of the AEC with only one loss, but second place is hardly assured for anyone.
Christian Hinckson had a double/double for Binghamton
“I don’t spend a lot of time looking at the standings,” said Coach Herrion, “but I admit knowing that each game is big. We’re all trying to survive. The league has never been bunched the way it is this year.”
Evenly matched teams have trouble putting consecutive points together. And that was the case today.
There were six lead changes, and the score was tied nine times. Breathing room was non-existent!
Things went the Wildcats way after the last tie (50-50) with 4:19 remaining in the game.
Nick Guadarrama (16 points)
The sought-after string of consecutive offense happened as UNH scored seven straight points.
A Nick Guadarrama jump shot. A Nick Johnson jumper (his only basket of the game, assisted by Nick Guadarrama). And a three from Marco Foster. The Wildcats had separation (7 points) with 1:49 remaining.
The Bearcats (11-15) stopped the run with a three, but Marco was back with another three returning the margin to seven points with fifty-four seconds left.
“Marco made two enormous three’s,” said Coach Herrion. “He had five against NJIT and four today. He’s a big-time shooter.”
Blondeau Tchoukulegano (13 points) guarded by John McGriff (12 points)
That last-minute three was discussed at the press conference because there was plenty of shot-clock left in what was then a four-point game.
“When you have an elite 3-point shooter you have to let them go when there’s space,” said Coach Herrion.
I asked Marco about the two shots. “It felt great to make them,” he said. “You want to hit the big one. You stay positive.”
Regarding the shot he took with time left on the shot clock in the last minute, he smiled and said, “I was very happy that one went in.”
Free throws late in the game
The Wildcats hit six straight free throws after Marco’s three to secure the victory.
The final regular-season game is Tuesday night at the Tsongas Arena vs UMass Lowell.
“It all comes down to playing well in March,” said Coach Herrion. “We’re looking to get a home game in the tournament. We’re 10-3 at home. We’ve had a very good year here.”
Coach Herrion gave an explanation as to why, beyond Vermont, so many of the rest of the teams are so competitive. “Teams are recruiting out of the transfer portal,” he said. “Therefore, teams can reload quickly. That’s why very few freshmen play.”
Christian Hinckson had a big game for Binghamton finishing with a double/double (fifteen points and fourteen rebounds).
Nick Guadarrama passes
UNH’s Nick Guadarrama had an impressive stat line: 16 points, 7-for-12 shooting, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.
“Nick was terrific the whole game,” said Coach Herrion. “He was good around the basket where we didn’t have much of an inside presence.”
Marco Foster finished with fourteen points while teammate Blondeau Tchoukulegno added thirteen points.
Binghamton lost to UNH, 69-60, two weeks ago at Binghamton.
John McGriff
After that game, BU coach Levell Sanders cited the 13 offensive rebounds which led to 14 second-chance points as a key in the loss.
Things didn’t improve too much for the Bearcats this time around. UNH had 11 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points.
Vermont has now won the AEC six straight years.
Today was Senior Day at UNH. Tayler Mattos, Qon Murphy, Nick Guadarrama, and Jayden Martinez were honored.
Senior Day
Jayden had ten points today. He needs twelve more to reach 1000 points. Maybe at Lowell on Tuesday?
Thanks again to Mike Murphy for enabling my visit to this game.
Cam Keliher (23 points) and Ray Cuevas (38 points)
Ray Cuevas
(Amesbury MA) Ray Cuevas was impressive.
The Ipswich junior added thirty-eight points tonight to the thirty-two he had two days ago against Manchester-Essex.
“Our game plan was to try to take away #24 (Ray Cuevas),” said Amesbury coach Tom Comeau afterwards, “but it was tough to do that.”
The Indians (10-8) found ways to succeed defensively in the third quarter and that was where they gained the permanent separation that led to a, 78-69, victory on Saturday night.
Cam Keliher
Amesbury has now clinched a berth in the MIAA post-season tournament.
Matt Welch had sixteen points in the first half but went out early with a broken nose at the start of the second half.
Matt’s departure opened offensive opportunities for senior Cam Keliher who had some of his own health issues.
“Last night at practice I had some back spasms,” said Cam. “It was pretty rough this morning and I didn’t think I would be able to go tonight. But I got it treated. I didn’t want to miss a chance to qualify for the tournament.”
Matt Welch left with an injury
The Indians trailed, 37-34, at halftime. A Rocco Kokinacis layup tied things at 46-46 with 4 ½ minutes left in the third quarter.
The next four minutes, Amesbury shut down the Tigers completely while Cam went on a nine-point scoring run.
“Cam took over like he can,” said Coach Comeau.
First there was a three and then a free throw. Next was a steal that led to a layup followed by another three. When that dust settled Ipswich was behind, 55-46, and never fully recovered.
Toby Adams (14 points)
Ray Cuevas went back to finding ways to score after that (17 points) but Amesbury on this evening displayed assorted weapons on offense that kept Ipswich from getting within one possession the rest of the way.
Cam ended up with a nineteen-point second half and twenty-three points for the game.
“We just gave up too many points,” said Ipswich coach Alan Laroche post-game. “They had some guys who stepped up for them in the second half. There were big three’s at the end.”
Rocco Kokinacis (9 points) and Matt Heidt (7 points) each had three-pointers for Amesbury in the final four minutes of playing time.
Tight defense
What a difference a month makes. On January 14th, Amesbury defeated Ipswich, 80-59, in a game that the Indians led by twenty at halftime.
Ipswich’s most impressive win this season was two days ago when they defeated Manchester-Essex. The Hornets had won nine straight and were undefeated (9-0) in the Cape Ann League, but the Tigers changed that.
“Ipswich is a real good team,” said Coach Comeau.
Junior Toby Adams, who had nineteen against ME, had fourteen points tonight against Amesbury.
Defending against an inbounds pass
The Tigers (7-10) had an eight-point lead (13-5) in the first quarter. In the same quarter the score was tied six times including at the end (19-19).
“24 (Ray Cuevas) was killing us in the first half,” said Cam. “We pressed up on him and double-teamed him. He’s a good player.”
Coach Laroche informed me that Ray has received some interest from several post-graduate schools. “Without a doubt, he can play at the next level,” he added.
Max Lapointe guards Tyler White
“Ray is learning how to get by guys,” said Coach Laroche, “and how to attack the corners. He’s also finding open guys when he needs to.”
Coach Comeau: “When Matty went out the rest of the team stepped up, especially Cam. To me, Cam should be the player-of-the-year in the Cape Ann League.”
Naugatuck coach Chris Anderson with the NVL trophy
Coach Anderson gets a ride
(Ansonia CT) In eleven years you can build up a ton of frustration.
But when it ends, the elation is notable.
The Naugatuck faithful poured onto the Jarvis Stadium field after the Greyhounds stunned Ansonia, 14-7, on Thanksgiving Day.
“We don’t own the NVL (Naugatuck Valley League) anymore,” surmised Ansonia coach Tom Brockett afterwards. “We just got beat.”
Mikey Deitelbaum had the game winner
In the last 103 meetings against NVL opposition, the Chargers had “owned” the league. But no longer.
The last NVL win against Ansonia was exactly eleven years ago.
The behavior of the Naugatuck afterwards said a lot about the stifled pain they had in falling short year after year. Everyone was hugging someone. Greyhounds’ coach Chris Anderson was up on the players’ shoulders.
Comparable for me was the American League playoffs in 2004 against the Yankees. Down three games to one with a lengthy history of losses to New York, the four-win recovery was about as sweet (for me) as it will ever get. What happened after that is a faded memory, but that playoff win over the Yankees will never die.
Darell McKnight
And I’m sure that many will recall today’s game in a similar light even though it was only a regular-season event.
There are playoffs ahead this week for both teams. Class L Naugatuck (#2 seed) will host Masuk on Tuesday night. Class S Ansonia (#3 seed) gets Seymour on Tuesday night.
After today’s victory, the Greyhounds (9-1) will enter the playoffs as the NVL champions.
The NVL title was the prize for the winner of today’s game. Ansonia (9-1) was certainly the favorite. Both reporters from the Connecticut Post picked them. Despite Naugatuck’s impressive record, you knew their history against Ansonia.
Ansonia coach Tom Brockett
The last time the teams met on Thanksgiving (2019) it turned into a 52-8 Ansonia rout.
The Chargers also had a nine-game win streak going against Naugatuck. The game was at Ansonia. No reason to expect a Chargers’ surprise.
But it happened.
How?
“Our coaches had a great game plan for us,” explained Naugatuck senior Mikey Deitelbaum afterwards. “We left everything we had on the field.”
Turnovers plagued Ansonia
Mikey had a remarkable game for the Greyhounds. Some of his highlights: scored the game winner in the 4th quarter, recovered a fumble in the 4th quarter, snapped on punts.
“It’s crazy to think that it has been so long since they were beaten in the league,” added Mikey. “For us to be the one to beat them is pretty remarkable.”
To win this game, Naugatuck had to be almost perfect. And that they were.
Chris Kaminski chased by Arron Barnes (68)
Ansonia needed to be off their usual game for Naugatuck to have a chance. And they definitely were that.
“What we did today really surprised me,” said Coach Brockett. “What Naugy did, didn’t surprise me. They’re a good football team.”
No fumbles, interceptions, costly penalties for the visitors. For the home team? Multiples in each area.
When Ansonia had its act together, they marched seventy-five yards in the last five minutes of the first half to a touchdown.
Ansonia QB Chris Kaminski under pressure
Key play in the drive was a catch-and-run by star tailback Darell McKnight.
Quarterback Chris Kaminski plowed in from a yard away after Dave Cassetti nearly scored the play before.
Ansonia’s halftime lead (7-0) was significant because, despite numerous miscues, they were leading. Also, Ansonia’s defense was able to stuff all three of Naugatuck’s first-half possessions on fourth downs.
Ansonia gang tackles
“We knew that this game would be won on the defensive end,” said Mikey Deitelbaum. “We allowed a first-half score off a lot of mistakes. In the second half, we fixed those mistakes. We shut down the run and made them a little uncomfortable and took the game from there.”
The combination of Naugatuck’s upgraded defense and a continuation of Ansonia mistakes keyed the final result.
“They made plays,” said Coach Brockett, “and we didn’t. We dropped balls all over the place. We roughed a punter. We couldn’t have been any sloppier. You play like that, and you deserve to lose.”
Carlos Pinto (66) sends Jett Hall (30) flying
In Naugatuck’s productive second half, they used big plays on their first two possessions to produce points.
Meanwhile, Ansonia had THREE fumbles on their first second-half possession, and a long run called back because of a penalty.
Sophomore Jett Hall was huge in the two Greyhounds’ scores.
On Naugatuck’s first touchdown, Jett turned the right corner and outran three Ansonia defenders fifty-two yards to the end zone.
Jett Hall turns the right end
Jett Hall pulls away from the Ansonia defenders
Jett Hall near the end zone
The extra-point kick evened things.
Jett Hall looks to pass
Next possession, Ansonia continued with its miscue tendencies. Two more fumbles, a dropped pass, and a snap over the quarterback’s head, ruined this possession for the Chargers.
The Greyhounds followed with the game winner.
Jett Hall, the runner, keyed the touchdown on the previous possession. On the game-winning possession, which stretched into the 4th quarter, we saw Jett the passer.
Naugatuck QB Jibree Bartell rolled left and handed off to Jett going the other direction. The trickery enabled Jett to set himself and get off a pass to 6-5 Aidan Robertson.
Just as the ball reached Aidan, the defender slipped eliminating a battle in the air. Aidan wasn’t tackled until the play covered forty-nine yards to set Naugatuck up at the Ansonia 12.
Ansonia defender slips as ball reaches Aidan Robertson (1)
Aidan Robertson (1) gained yards after the catch
On the first play after the productive flea flicker, Mikey Deitelbaum entered a big hole up the middle and reached the end zone.
Mikey Deitelbaum carries tackler (8) into end zone
The EP gave Naugatuck a, 14-7, lead with eight minutes remaining.
Plenty of time left for Ansonia but their luck continued to be very bad. Their final two possessions ended in turnovers (fumble and interception).
Dave Bien interception
The interception, by Dave Bien in the final minute, put the Greyhounds into kneel-down territory and the celebrations began for Naugatuck.
A frustrated Coach Brockett certainly had it right afterwards when he said, “We didn’t take advantage of opportunities.”
“Ansonia is a great team,” said Mikey Deitelbaum. “They’ll always be a great team. To beat them you have to leave it all out there, and we did.”
I was very impressed with Ansonia defenders Carlos Pinto and Alex Romanowski.
Carlos Pinto (66) and Darell McKnight (9) pregame
Mikey scored three touchdowns in their win over Woodland on November 12th.
Naugatuck coach Chris Anderson had two state champions while coaching Woodland. Chris was also an All-State player at Derby.
The Greyhounds have qualified for the playoffs four times since 2010. They haven’t, however, won a playoff game since 1993. Maybe this year?
Coach Tom Brockett has led Ansonia to the playoffs in all fifteen years of his being head coach there.
Jett Hall (30) sweeps right
In the Naugatuck/Ansonia Thanksgiving series, the Chargers have seventy-six wins, thirty-five losses, and ten ties.
The atmosphere at today’s game was special. There was a lot at stake, and you could feel it.
Weather was perfect with temperatures close to fifty degrees with plenty of sunshine.
Continue to wonder why team rosters are so hard to find. There was a program but only Ansonia had a roster in it. Trying to identify players shouldn’t have to be such an adventure IMO.
(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)
Chris Kaminski passes
Greyhound interception
Stopping the Chargers running game in the second half
Jett Hall touchdown celebrated
Chance Conklin (3) ready to make a tackle
Dave Cassetti swarmed
Alex Romanowski
Mikey Deitelbaum (38) finds hole up the middle for game winner
Sophomore Owen Tahnk allowed five hits and had six strikeouts in a complete game win.
Michael Habib scored the first Newburyport run
(Newburyport MA) The Clippers continue to win.
This afternoon it was, 2-0, over Lynnfield.
Coach Mark Rowe said afterwards that he was happy with the 5-0 start but wasn’t thrilled with the way his team played today.
“I think that we were a little flat,” he said. “Maybe it was because it was the first really warm day we’ve played in.”
There were popups and weak grounders by a team that has been making solid connections regularly.
“The majority of our at bats were disappointing,” Coach Rowe added.
But steady pitching by sophomore Owen Tahnk kept Newburyport in the game despite only three hits.
Senior Trent Balian pitched very effectively for the Pioneers.
Trent Balian allowed just three hits
Good teams find ways to win.
“We took advantage of our opportunities,” said Coach Rowe.
THE opportunity was the fifth inning. A one-out single by senior Michael Habib was followed by two walks (Jack Fehlner & Tony Lucci).
Luke Stallard’s long fly to center delivered Michael while Jake Buontempo’s sharp single to center brought Jack home.
Those two runs held up.
Lynnfield (1-4) had chances.
Spencer Riley doubled off the fence in left
The Pioneers collected five hits and had runners in scoring position in the first four innings as well as the sixth inning.
“We couldn’t get him in,” said Lynnfield coach John O’Brien post-game, “that was the story of the game.”
“Newburyport took advantage of a couple of walks that hurt us,” said Coach O’Brien referencing Newburyport’s two-run fifth inning. “They got the timely hit.”
Evan Balian paced Lynnfield with two hits.
Spencer Riley hit a part of the leftfield fence in the fourth inning in a section of fencing that doesn’t exist in most of the rest of the field. Could have gone out if it wasn’t pulled so much. He had to settle for a double.
Jake Buontempo dives back to first
Newburyport pitcher Owen Tahnk remembered it: “That double off the fence was a scare.”
Owen limited Lynnfield to five hits and yielded only two walks.
“His limiting the walks was important,” said Coach Rowe.
Owen had six strikeouts getting two each in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings. In each of those innings the Pioneers had runners in scoring position.
“My slider and curve were working well today,” said Owen. “I got grounders and fly balls on off-speed pitches.”
Coach O’Brien: “We’re back to ground zero after getting a nice win the other day.”
Clippers celebrate the win
Ryan Archer: “Our goal every day is to go 1-0. We have two games coming up and that’s what we’re focusing on.”
I didn’t hear the news, but I saw the news. The players weren’t wearing masks! Is this where I say, “It’s about time!” and give away my politics?
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Tony Lucci makes a catch
Baserunner Michael Habib and SS Henry Caulfield
Aidan Burke out stealing as Tony Lucci takes throw
Nick White had one of the three Newburyport hits
2B Jack Bird tries for a force at second
Catcher Evan Balian looks for a sign
Tangle in the Lynnfield outfield
Ryan Archer about to be tagged out by SS Henry Caulfield
Ipswich (2-3) found that out today losing 15-0 on Monday afternoon via the mercy rule.
The Indians (3-0) have a brand-new field to play on and unlike their nearby former field, this one has a fence.
“This is the first time we’ve had an actual fence,” said junior Liv DeLong afterwards. “It was really exciting to see three home runs go over it.”
Liv had one of the long ones and Ella Delisle and Ella Bezanson had the other two.
AHS had fifteen hits and all of the Amesbury starters scored at least one run in the 4 ½ innings played.
Ella Bezanson had the first of 3 Amesbury homers
The Indians had a six-run second inning and a seven-run fourth inning.
And then there was the pitching of AHS starter Alana Delisle.
Amesbury coach Jacqui Waters told me afterwards that she had originally planned on using several of her pitchers in each game.
Today she couldn’t do it as Alana put on a show.
“She was on fire,” said Coach Waters, “I wasn’t taking her out.”
Alana struck out fourteen Tigers and allowed just one hit.
“She took control of the whole game with fourteen strikeouts,” said Coach Waters. “She was outstanding.”
“Alana was awesome today,” said her sister Ella, who was the catcher. “Everything she had worked.”
The combination of Alana’s pitching and an offense, that on this sunny afternoon had hits and loud outs, made it tough for Ipswich.
Cassidy Smith dropped in the only Ipswich hit
Leftfielder Alexa Eliopoulos and shortstop Lexi James made outstanding plays in the field, but the sheer volume of tough chances made it difficult for the visitors to stop the runs from coming.
SS Lexi James made a nice running catch
The Indians didn’t bunt, just hacked away. Ella Bezanson and Izzy Levasseur each had three hits for Amesbury. Ella Delisle had four RBI.
Alana struck out the first eight batters she faced before walking Piper Reily in the third inning.
In the Ipswich fourth, Cassidy Smith dropped a short popup over Alan’s head and just in front of charging shortstop Liv Levasseur. That was the Tigers first and only hit.
One thing I didn’t learn about today was the quality of the Amesbury defense. Not one ball got out of the infield. Alana got an assist on the final out of the game but there were no other infield chances other than Cassidy Smith’s hit.
Impressive, to say the least.
Liv DeLong celebrates a home run
The new field has bleachers beyond centerfield although most spectators chose the 3B/LF foul territory to view from.
Coach Waters: “We owe this field to the alumni. They raised some money. The infield cost $16,000. We needed a new field. The other one was a mess. Mayor Gove came through with funds for the backstop and all the fencing. We have a brand-new scoreboard which is not in yet. It was a gift from the Newburyport Institution for Savings.”
Alana Delisle: “Today was really fun. Ella did a great job catching. Everyone hit. Ella calls the pitches. I just throw them.”
Ella Delisle: “I’ve been catching her my whole life. Her curve was moving really well.”
LF Alex Eliopoulos made several nice catches in the outfield
The Indians haven’t given up a run yet in three starts. Liv Delong had fifteen strikeouts in the season opener against Rockport.
Coach Waters informed me that there will be a state tournament following the regular season. How far can the Indians go?
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Alana Delisle
Lauren Celia
Caroline Spencer in for a grounder
Ella Delisle celebrates her 3-run homer in the fourth inning
Jack Fehlner pitched a 2-hit complete game for the Clippers
Kellen Heney held the Clippers hitless for five innings
(Newburyport MA) The weather was perfect.
Manchester-Essex pitcher Kellen Heney was perfect…..through five innings.
But when the game ended, Newburyport was perfect (4-0) after defeating the Hornets, 7-0, on Saturday morning at Pettingell Field.
ME struggled in the field all game collecting miscues in five of the six innings.
“Our pitchers have been pitching well,” said ME coach James Weed afterwards. “I’m just not used to the kind of defense we’re playing.”
The shaky defense gave the Clippers a run in the fourth, but this was a one-run game going into the Newburyport sixth.
Then the wheels fell off for the visitors. An infield error and five Newburyport hits put six runs on the board and sealed this one for the home team.
Jack Fehlner pitched a complete-game two-hitter for the Clippers. He wasn’t overpowering (one strikeout) but gave up just two walks.
2B Colin Coyne makes a play at second
“Jack was in total command,” said Newburyport coach Mark Rowe post-game. “It was as good as I’ve seen him pitch. It was his first complete game.”
Catcher Nick White: “Jack’s fastball was working today. Usually, it’s the off-speed pitch but today the fastball was the primary out pitch. He challenged them.”
The Clippers 1-0 lead looked anything but secure heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.
“The scoreboard doesn’t show how close this game really was,” added Jack Fehlner. “They’re a great team.”
Jake Buontempo had the first Newburyport hit in the 6th inning
Senior Jake Buontempo was in the middle of the Newburyport success in the sixth inning.
Jake ended Kellen Heney’s hitless streak with a double that drove in Luke Stallard who had reached on an infield error.
Rare play alert! Demetri Connor popped the ball behind the plate near the backstop. Catcher Michael Quill and pitcher Kellen Heney both went after it and Michael got it. Jake alertly took advantage and raced in from third.
Jake reached third on Nick White’s infield hit.
“I was watching to see where the pitcher was going,” recalled Jake. “He followed the catcher to the backstop, so I knew the plate was wide open and I took what I had.”
Tony Lucci and AJ Pallazola
Jake also made a nice running catch in rightfield in the fifth inning and ended the game with a routine catch.
The Hornets (1-4) are the defending Division 4 state champions. I was at LaLacheur Park (Lowell) on June 22, 2019 when they defeated Tahanto, 5-2.
Will Levendusky was part of that team but a football injury has kept him from playing so far.
“It hurts not to have Will but for us it’s “next man up,” said Coach Weed. “We have three freshmen playing. We’re just trying to find the right formula. We’ll get it going. We’ll make a run.”
Freshman Kellen Heney was the starter and winner in the state title game. He’s now a junior.
“Their pitcher was good,” explained Jake Buontempo. “He could locate really well. Toward the end we started to catch onto him.”
2B Luke Stallard settles under a popup
Coach Mark Rowe: “It was two top-notch pitchers out there. Unfortunately, his defense let him down a bit. We challenged by putting balls in play and forcing them to make plays. When they didn’t make plays, we took advantage.”
AJ Pallazola and Michael Quill had the hits for Manchester-Essex.
Jack Fehlner: “It was a beautiful day to be out here with the guys. Our guys made plays. I’ll put some ice on my arm and get back at it Tuesday against Lynnfield.”
Speaking of ice, I have a picture of Will Levendusky pouring the contents of an ice bucket over the head of Coach Weed in the celebrating after the D4 title win. On that hot day and under those circumstances, it probably felt pretty good.
Remarkable weather and plenty of fans from both schools out enjoying it.
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Newburyport box
Manchester-Essex box
Luke Stallard steals 2B as Michael Deoreo tries to tag him
Catcher Michael Quill
Connor Stick and Satchem Ramos
High hop
Hockey move?
Brady Ford scored a run
Ryan Archer catches a fly
Part of the crowd
Jack Fehlner dives back into 2nd as Satchem Ramos tries to tag him
AJ Pallazola dives back into first as Brady Ford takes throw
(Byfield MA) Triton coach Karen Christian said the game was “probably the highlight of the season,” and her team lost!
The Vikings (5-5) took Newburyport to five games on Wednesday night at Triton.
The Clippers (8-2) extend their win streak to seven. Their last loss was to Triton in March.
Newburyport won the first two games tonight, 25-19 and 25-15.
In those first two, Sydney Yim (Purdue commit) gave Triton trouble serving, setting, and finishing. Many of her finishes weren’t hard hits but, instead, dropped into open spaces.
Sydney Yim
I started thinking sweep and early evening.
The Vikings had other ideas.
“We flipped the switch in Games 3 & 4 and started making the plays we weren’t making before,” said Mia Berardino afterwards.
Suddenly the Vikings began to look like the team that had defeated the Clippers, 3-1, in March.
Triton took the next two games, 25-13 and 25-17.
The Vikings got off to good starts in both games and rode Newburyport errors to the two wins.
“We weren’t ourselves today,” said Newburyport coach Lori Solazzo post-match. “but player for player we’ve improve so much. My frustration is that I didn’t see the team I usually see most of the time.”
The level of play was remarkable at times. Hard hits were not definite winners.
Both teams had terrific setters (Molly Kimball and Sydney Yim) so there was a steady diet of hard hits provided.
Kate Sarra gets low
There was a play in Game Four in which both Sydney Yim and Abigail Gillingham launched hard hits, only to have Triton find a way to play on and eventually get the point.
In three of the games, the team with the early lead went on to victory.
That held true in crucial Game Five. “We were overthinking it a bit early and we fell behind,” said Coach Christian.
The Vikings went down 6-1 and later 14-9. in the fifteen-point, deciding set, before turning on the “not-done-yet” button.
The Clippers struggled with four straight Evelyn Pearson serves and suddenly we had ourselves a 14-13 nail-biter!
Evelyn Pearson
A hard, deep hit by the Clippers was called in, and then it was called out, and then they decided to play it over again.
Fortunate for Triton because an “in” call ends the game. Fortunate for Newburyport because an “out” call ties the game at 14-14.
“Thank goodness that out-of-bounds play didn’t end it,” said Coach Solazzo afterwards.
Given a second chance to win the game, the Clippers got it done.
Newburyport seniors keyed the set/match winner. Kate Sarra received the serve and sent it to Sydney Yim. Sydney set the ball near the net for Abigail Gillingham. Abigail hit the ball through the Triton defense.
Clippers celebrate winning the match
“Abigail had an amazing game,” said Sydney Yim. “She has been a huge part of our team this year.”
Abigail Gillingham at the net
“The team buckled down at the end, showed some grit, and pulled this one out,” said Coach Solazzo.
“It certainly had the feel of a championship game to me,” said Coach Christian. “I would love to see them next week with the same energy.”
There will be a Cape Ann League tournament next week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
“Triton is a great team,” said Coach Solazzo. “They’re scrappy. They played their hearts out.”
Evelyn Pearson: “I’m proud of my team. We pulled our energy together. Newburyport was a lot more competitive than the first time we saw them.”
Mia Berardino: “It wasn’t the outcome we wanted but I’m proud of the way we played. I think if we play like this we can go far in the playoffs.”
The Clippers ended up undefeated (5-0) on the road.
All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.
Amesbury’s blocking gave running backs openings all afternoon
Kyle Donovan scored twice for Amesbury
(Amesbury MA) Amesbury got an early break.
A likely punt turned into a third-down retry.
Their opening drive, as a result, was kept alive, and a touchdown followed.
After that the Indians (3-1) were overpowering on both sides of the ball, registering a 20-0 shutout against North Reading on Saturday afternoon.
Amesbury struggled on their first possession. A Zach Sampson sack and a Kyle Donovan fumble (recovered by Amesbury) had the Indians in trouble. Their third-down play went nowhere BUT the whistle of a sidelines official had gone off enabling the home team to try that third down play again. A first down resulted and Amesbury was literally off and running.
JT Tilton brought down by Robbie Tammaro
“If that inadvertent whistle doesn’t happen on their first drive, it’s fourth-and-four and they’d have to punt,” said North Reading coach Eddie Blum afterwards.
But the replay was rightly allowed, and Amesbury took full advantage cashing from the NR 37 with three minutes left in the first quarter.
Senior Kyle Donovan scored twice in the first half.
The first one went thirty-seven yards up the middle. “I just shot the gap and was free,” said Kyle. “One kid was there and I high-stepped by him.”
That TD was the longest AHS run of the day but certainly not their last run.
“We try to attack multiple gaps on either side of the football from a balanced look,” explained AHS coach Colin McQueen post-game.
Owen Delano and Ryan Perkins
“Their interior linemen took our traps away,” said Coach McQueen. “When one thing is taken away, generally something else is there. Today we moved the ball pretty well off tackle.”
The ball-handling of quarterback Drew MacDonald was impressive for Amesbury. I will admit to following the wrong ball carrier on a number of occasions. I am quite certain that I wasn’t the only one.
“Each guy on defense has read keys and responsibilities,” said Coach Blum. “Amesbury is a senior-laden team that has been running that offense for a while. Give credit to their offensive line and their blockers.”
The Amesbury defense, led by Nick Marden, made is tough for the Hornets (2-2) to put any drives together.
Drew MacDonald tacked a two-point conversion onto Kyle Donovan’s first touchdown and Amesbury led, 8-0, after a quarter.
Nick Marden ended NR’s first possession with a fourth-down fumble recovery.
Nick Marden (32) keyed the Amesbury defense
Nick came off the edge to give the Hornets trouble all afternoon.
Drew MacDonald had a TD and a 2-point conversion
“Nick is a physical specimen,” said Coach McQueen. “Having him on the edge can be dangerous for the other team.”
Coach McQueen referenced former coach Geno Burnham who died this week. “I coached with Geno and in our staff meetings he always wanted to ‘fire off the edge.’ We decided today that we were going to send a couple ‘off the edge’ today in Geno’s honor.”
Nick turned the ‘off the edge’ approach into run stops and sacks for the Indians this afternoon.
After Nick’s fumble recovery the Indians started at their own 46. The rest of the drive was all runs with four first downs along the way.
Kyle Donovan hit the middle from four yards out and backed into the end zone for a second score. The rush for two failed but AHS now led, 14-0.
Near miss for North Reading
The Hornets followed with a 40-yard kickoff (Robbie Tammaro) return to set them up at the Amesbury 35. NR nearly got a score as Will Taylor ran a down-and-out into some serious open space, but Brian Heffernan’s pass sailed over his head.
Twice Amesbury ran their way deep into North Reading territory in the second half with nothing to show for it. In both tries, fourth-down passes fell incomplete.
The Hornets had a 4th down converted but a fumble (recovered by Chip Kelley) gave the ball back to Amesbury with 4:43 left in the game.
Amesbury completed a pass to Tyler Mazzaglia for a first down and two more chain movers set the home team up on the NR four.
Jarrid Schwindt congratulates Drew MacDonald after his TD
QB Drew MacDonald faked a handoff up the middle and rolled left to score with a minute left in the game.
“We had two TDs at the end of sustained drives,” said Coach McQueen. “Our goal is to wear people down. We want pads on pads and for our backs to run hard.”
Coach Blum: “Our defense battled all day. You just have to turn the page after you learn what you can learn. We’re on to Triton.”
Coach McQueen: “Kyle is a tough runner. Any time we put the ball in his hands he has a chance to go. It comes down to him getting the second and third level and making some guy miss.”
Kyle Donovan: “It was a great all-around team effort. Our offense was at its finest and our defense held up.”
Tyler Mazzaglia caught an Amesbury pass
The weather was sunny and remarkable for early April. Temps were in the upper 40s and I was over-dressed for sure.
The Amesbury ground game was so good that their passing game stood out as needing to improve considerably. Of course, if the Indians can get early leads, they won’t be forced into any passing catch-up attempts.
The Landry Stadium scoreboard has a habit of not consistently working. More of that today.
Is there a turf football field in Amesbury’s future?
All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.
Deceptive Amesbury ball-handling
Ball on the ground. Chip Kelley (54) will recover.
Two Hornets bring down Kyle Donovan
Ryan McCullough
Brian Heffernan passes
Jarrid Schwindt waits for Will O’Leary
Tim Gilleo
Connor MacDonald
Jarrid Schwindt
Nice hole for JT Tilton
Kyle Donovan carries tackler
Kyle Donovan (11) away for first touchdown
Tyler Mazzaglia (9) ready to pounce on a NR fumble
Triton celebrates its record-tying fifth win of the season
Jess Manganello and Molly Kimball
(Byfield MA) Triton had never won a match against Hamilton-Wenham.
They had won a game, back in 2016, but that was it.
When you’ve lost every match (twelve straight) to an opponent, you can’t call it a rivalry.
But that all ended today, as Triton (5-2) swept the Generals (3-4), 3-0, on Monday at Triton.
Labeling it as a sweep, betrays how competitive two of the three games were.
“It’s always nice to compete against Hamilton-Wenham,” said Triton coach Karen Christian afterwards, “they traditionally have been very strong.”
Charlene Fibbe at the net
The Generals were strong in the first and third sets suffering tough, 25-23 and 25-21 losses.
The middle set was all-Triton as junior Mia Berardino served the Vikings to eleven straight points on their way to a 25-7 rout.
“Triton, like Newburyport (D1 commit Sydney Yim), has a player who is a strong leader,” said HW coach Jen Flynn referring to Mia Berardino.
Mia ended up with nine kills and seven aces.
The first and third sets were close and entertaining. There were multiple, extended volley’s that brought ooh’s and aah’s from those on both sides.
“There were some amazing plays,” said Coach Flynn. “Some balls you just didn’t think would get over, but they did.”
The close games got Triton senior Jess Manganello tired. “All of us were hustling and talking,” she said. “I am not used to running so much in a game.”
Hamilton-Wenham volley
The Generals looked ready, in the first game, to continue their dominance over the Vikings. They jumped in front, 11-7, before Triton tied things at 13-13 and 19-19. Hard hits were handled by both teams.
The visitors moved to 23-19 before the home team rode the hard-to-handle serves of Evelyn Pearson on a six-point run and a 25-23 win.
The game ended on a terrific Molly Kimball setup that Mia Berardino finished.
“Molly had a great game,” said Coach Christian. “She was very smart with her sets and she was hustling, getting to everything.”
Molly ended up with twenty-five assists.
In the third game, HW led early (8-7) before the Vikings rolled on Evelyn Pearson’s serving to a commanding 18-11 advantage. HW’s Charlene Fibbe and Hannah-Marie Akoury kept the Generals in the game.
Mia Berardino had nine kills for Triton
HW was able to cut their deficit to, 23-21, as they just refused to make mistakes.
Fittingly however, Triton’s two big hitters (Mia Berardino & Evelyn Pearson) were set up on the next two plays for hits that would have been challenging for D1 college players to return and the Vikings had a 25-21 win……and the match.
“This was one of the more exciting matches of the season,” said Coach Christian. “The kids came with lots of energy.”
Evelyn Pearson (eleven kills): “I thought we played pretty good. Our communication was excellent.”
Senior Jess Manganello: “We’re all proud of how we played tonight.” (Next year): “I am going to take a gap year, work, and take some courses at community college.”
Both teams have three games left.
Battle at the net
Triton’s win tonight gives them five and ties them with the most wins in a season the Vikings VB program has ever had. They were 5-15 last year and 5-11 in 2015.
This has certainly been a special season for the Vikings……with more games to go. I believe that there also will be some post-season playoffs.
The best team in the Cape Ann League is certainly undefeated Lynnfield. After the Pioneers, however, the remaining teams are on the “any-given-night” level.
All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.
Block at the net
Jess Manganello
Mia Berardino gets low for a return
Emma Campbell and Molly Kimball
Molly Kimball and Evelyn Pearson
Trinity Cole
Maggie Firicano
Emma Day
Grace Roebuck
Evelyn Pearson spikes (eleven kills)
Mia Berardino serves (seven aces)
Action at the net
Emma Campbell at the net
Mia Berardino and Em Hoggard at the net for Triton
(Newburyport MA) “It was the best Newburyport match that I’ve watched since we started,” were the happy words NHS coach Lori Solazzo had for her team’s performance afterwards.
Newburyport girls celebrate their third win of the season
“They were communicating,” said the 4th year coach. “They were in it together. One girl went for a ball and there was another one was behind her. They were really focused in on this match.”
Sophia Messina and Isabella Toledo
The Clippers (3-2) never gave Hamilton-Wenham a chance in the first two sets (25-7 & 25-13).
Then there was the third set.
The Generals ended up losing that one, 27-25, but HW coach Jen Flynn was pleased with how they played.
“I think that they did a great job coming back the way they did after the first two game,” said Coach Flynn. “It showed grit and a desire to win.”
Coach Solazzo had high praise for senior Sydney Yim (Purdue commit) post-match. “Her setting (15 assists) was amazing tonight. We can’t have the hits we get without her. She’s awesome. She was nearly flawless in tonight’s game.”
Junior Ava Hartley was one of those benefitting for Sydney’s setups. “She always gives me nice setups in the perfect spot every time. We did a 5-1 tonight so she was setting all of us up.”
The Generals (3-2) were far from perfect in the first two sets. Balls fell in and there were few successful spikes.
Sydney Yim
Everything changed in Game 3. “Hamilton-Wenham is usually a pretty good matchup,” explained senior Kate Sarras. And right she was in the third game.
HW cut down the miscues and led by setter Emma Day and hard-hitter Mia Flynn gave the Clippers a run for their money.
HW had a 23-20 lead before Newburyport called a timeout. Back came the Clippers to tie the score. HW twice after that had game point (24-23 & 25-24) but the Clippers put three straight points together to end a very exciting game.
“A lot of people stepped up for us tonight,” said sophomore Viive Godtfredsen (ten kills). “We struggled against Triton the other night, but we proved ourselves to be better than that tonight.”
Newburyport’s serving was very good. “We talked about service runs and how important they are,” said Coach Solazzo. “It changes the match when you decrease your unforced errors.”
“We’ve been working on our serving and our service receiving a lot in practice,” explained Ava Hartley, “and it showed tonight.”
Charlene Fibbe hustles after a ball
Coach Flynn: “The Newburyport program has gotten better each year that I’ve watched them with Lori (Solazzo) coaching. The core of their whole team has been raised over the last couple of years.”
Coach Solazzo: “We had a lot to come back from after the Triton loss. Since then, we’ve had a lot of conversation on what we needed to do to get better.”
Coach Flynn: “I have a different mindset this year. Every second we can be playing is a bonus. We’re trying to have fun being together. We try to pull positives from every experience we can.”
Senior Kate Sarra: “We played well and our energy was up. In the fall, I’ll be attending Eastern Connecticut State. I expect to study Sociology and minor in Psychology. I am hoping to play volleyball there. I’m currently talking to their coach.”
(All of the pictures will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)
McClelland Miscellanea 