McClelland Miscellanea

January 17, 2022 · 11:41 pm

Good shooting gets Georgetown past Triton 65-49

Griffin Dupuis and Matthew Torgerson (8 points)

(The pictures enlarge when you click on them.)

(Byfield MA) Georgetown can shoot and they’re not hesitant to give up a shot to get a better one for a teammate.

“It’s all about trusting your teammates,” said senior Matthew Torgerson afterwards. “They all can shoot.”

There were plenty of extra passes as Georgetown defeated Triton, 65-49, on Monday night.

The Vikings (3-6) hung with the Royals (7-2) for a quarter.

“In the beginning they were really hitting us on the glass,” said Georgetown coach Josh Keilty post-game. “In the second quarter our guys really committed to rebounding.”

The Royals limited the home team to just seven points in that decisive second quarter and gained permanent separation (35-21) at halftime.

Georgetown tortured Triton with three’s in the first half netting six. Junior Cory Walsh (15 points) drained three of them in the second quarter alone.

“Georgetown moves the ball really well,” said Triton coach Ted Schruender. “They made a lot of three’s, and that’s hard to stop.”

The Vikings were better in the second half, but the Royals never lost their double-digit lead.

Georgetown showed in the second half that they’re not all about long-range shots although they did have four more 3-pointers.

The Royals interior game was also strong because of their ability to pass into high percentage, around-the-basket, scoring opportunities.

Harrison Lien (15 points) and Grant Lyon (17 points) scored almost all their points from close to the basket.

Triton’s Dylan Wilkinson led all scorers with twenty-two points. On at least four of his baskets, Dylan secured a rebound and maneuvered his way through the entire Georgetown defense for a successful layup.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, Dylan was the only one in double figures. The Royals had three players in that zone.

“We’ve been grinding at every practice,” said Matthew, “and it showed tonight. “We’ve been playing together all summer and in fall leagues. We play like a family.”

“I thought we shot it pretty well tonight,” said Coach Keilty. “Cory Walsh played great with those five three’s.”

“Anytime you can make shots like we did it gets your defense going,” added Coach Keilty.

The Royals have now won three straight. Last year they were 5-0 before ending their season.

Both Georgetown and Triton have lost to Amesbury.

Coach Schruender is still optimistic. “I know where we’re at, but I like the way my team competed. We need to reach another level and I think we’re going to get there.”

Jack Lucido was limited to three points tonight. He had five 3’s in the Royals’ 2-point win over Newburyport. Fewer points by Jack didn’t matter tonight because they have multiple scoring options and will share the ball to locate the hot hands.

Both schools were well represented in the stands.

Georgetown 16 19 15 15 = 65

Triton 14 7 17 11 = 49

(The pictures will enlarge if you click on them.)

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Filed under Georgetown, Triton

Tagged as Cory Walsh, Dylan Wilkinson, Grant Lyon, Harrison Lien, Jack Lucido, Matthew Torgerson

January 15, 2022 · 1:00 am

Pentucket defeats Triton 60-59

Cole Vuylsteke hit two free throws to give Pentucket the lead

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Chase Dwight defends in the closing seconds

(Byfield MA) Clutch free throws by CJ Condon and Cole Vuylsteke in the final minute enabled Pentucket to get by Triton, 60-59, on Friday night.

“It was a crazy, crazy game,” said Pentucket coach Ed Hickey afterwards. “It was a tale of two halves.”

The Sachems (3-6) were cooking from long range in the first half draining eight three’s. One by Chase Dwight drew smiles from the surprised Pentucket fans and put the visitors ahead, 32-13. The halftime margin was 36-21.

In the second half, Triton came to life.

“We really tightened up defensively,” recalled Triton coach Ted Schruender.

The Pentucket lead was lessened to nine points by the end of the third quarter (52-43) and then things got very interesting in the final quarter.

The Sachems couldn’t score a point for first five minutes and Triton rallied offensively to even things at 52-52. Sophomore John Prendergast collected the tying basket off a deflected shot.

With 1:20 remaining, John was again in the right place at the right time. This time he turned an offensive rebound into a score and the home team led, 57-54.

CJ Condon (23 points) broke in to score a layup but Ethan Tate responded with two free throws. Triton still had a 3-point lead (59-56) with fifty seconds left.

Pentucket won the game on their next two possessions. They did it with four straight free throws (CJ Condon and Cole Vuylsteke). The Vikings (3-5) had a rebounding foul and a turnover in their last two possessions.

“I missed free throws in the first half,” said CJ Condon post-game. “It felt good to knock them down in the second half.”

The tensest moment belonged to Cole who had not scored a point the entire game. Now, with eighteen seconds left he was at the line, shooting one-and-one, with his team trailing by a point. Cole nailed both shots.

“Cole stepped up and hit some huge free throws for us,” said Coach Hickey.

“We had a great comeback,” said Triton senior Quintin McHale (26 points). “We just couldn’t finish it out.”

“We were down by fifteen at one point and came back and got the lead,” recalled Dylan Wilkinson (20 points) afterwards. “You’ve got to finish it off.”

“I can’t say enough about Dylan Wilkinson and Quintin McHale,” said Pentucket coach Ed Hickey. “They were both amazing.”

A crucial defensive play was turned in by Pentucket’s Chase Dwight in the closing seconds. Quintin got in close to the basket looking to get off a shot or get fouled but Chase was able to force the ball out of bounds instead of fouling Quintin.

Nick Daly (15 points) drew special coverage in the first half. He had five three’s, but foul trouble kept him on the sidelines for many minutes.

“I had a bad game last week and I was ready to play tonight,” said Nick afterwards.

The Sachems ended a four-game losing streak. “This was a much-needed win for us,” said Coach Hickey. “I’m not sure we’ve had our full lineup this year. Tonight, we hung in there and I’m very proud of our guys.”

Last year the same two teams faced off at Byfield and Pentucket came away with a 47-46 win.

“Last year we were winning and let one get away,” recalled Coach Schruender. “This year we made a really nice comeback.”

Both squads had active support in the stands. “I love playing in this environment,” said CJ Condon.

Pentucket 21 15 16 8 = 60

Triton 11 10 22 16 = 59

(The pictures will enlarge.)

Ethan Tate made two free throws in the closing minute

Cole Vuylsteke tries to block Ethan Tate’s shot

Chase Dwight lifts Quintin McHale with an up fake.

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Tagged as Chase Dwight, CJ Condon, Cole Vuylsteke, John Prendergast

January 13, 2022 · 11:56 pm

Newburyport routs Lawrence 61-23

Emma Foley led the Clippers with twenty points

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(Newburyport MA) You never know for sure what to expect in a non-league game.

You read about your opponent and maybe even scout them, but actual conclusions are reserved for the game itself.

Newburyport put the clamps on Lawrence’s best player (Tyanna Medina) and the visitors from the Merrimack Valley Conference never had a chance.

The final was Newburyport 61, Lawrence 23.

Tyanna displayed all the skills of a next-level player but she was usually kept far from the basket.

“She was a really good player,” said Olivia McDonald who took a turn defending Tyanna. “Our coaches told me to force her left and there would be help. Everyone did a good job of helping.”

Sydney Turner, MaKenna Ward, and Anna Seidel also spent time corralling the Lancers’ sophomore and limited her to six points.

Meanwhile, on the offensive end, the Clippers were productive in the first-half, up-tempo approach as well as the second-half, deliberate approach.

The Lancers (1-5) used a zone defense that was slow to set up after missed shots. The fast-breaking Clippers turned rebounds into open looks and layups.

Newburyport scored all the points in the first four minutes and sped ahead, 14-0.

Emma Foley continues to be able to maneuver into open looks in close. Her ability to go either right or left, and use either hand successfully, makes her a scoring threat against any single coverage she faces.

Emma had twenty points tonight.

“Our team was really ready to play tonight,” said Newburyport coach Karen Grutchfield post-game. “We have to learn to do that against every team, not just against a team that is not that strong.”

The Clippers had a 24-4 first quarter lead and extended the margin to 44-10 at the half.

Deirdre McElhinney (12 points) and Sydney Turner (11 points) scored all their points in the first half.

In the second half, the Clippers resisted the fast breaks and were very patient on offense.

The most entertaining part of the second half was when Tyanna Medina and Olivia McDonald turned up the defensive pressure on each other.

Both are tenacious and confident. Tyanna is used to being hounded because of her scoring reputation. Olivia is quick and willing to cause a turnover any way she can.

“I told Olivia that I got goosebumps tonight watching her play such good defense on such a talented player,” said Coach Grutchfield.

Here is a four-picture sequence of the two of them getting after it:

Emerson McCormick had the game-winner in the JV game

Coach Grutchfield had two players on her bench that she couldn’t use. Why? Emerson McCormick and Maddie Hopwood had played the entire JV game in which Newburyport won late. Emerson scored the go-ahead basket while Maddie sealed the win with free throws.

Olivia McDonald: “I think that the reason we are doing so well this season is that our defense leads into our offense.”

Newburyport 24 20 6 11 = 61

Lawrence 4 6 5 8 = 23

(The pictures enlarge if you click on them.)

Maddie Hopwood sealed the JV game with free throws

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Filed under Lawrence, Newburyport

Tagged as Anna Seidel, Deirdre McElhinney, Emma Foley, Sydney Turner, Tyanna Medina

January 11, 2022 · 11:58 pm

Amesbury speeds by Lynnfield 74-57

Henry O’Neill gets to the basket against Lynnfield

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(Amesbury MA) “We did what we do best….run in transition,” said Amesbury senior Matt Welch afterwards.

And did they ever.

The Indians (5-2) took a 3-2 deficit and turned it into an 18-3 lead in four minutes of fast action.

The Pioneers (1-8) went cold, and Amesbury rebounded, found the outlet man, and moved quickly into open layups and looks.

The final was 74-57.

The Indians’ starters didn’t play in the second and fourth quarters.

“We wanted a fast-paced game,” said Amesbury coach Tom Comeau. “Max (LaPointe) and Nick (Marden) were huge inside early. When you can rebound like that, it allows you to run.”

Senior Cam Keliher (21 points) keyed the fast start with twelve points and several assists to breaking teammates.

The Indians’ attack was so fast that they were seldom fouled going to the basket.

“Amesbury is a heckuva team,” said LHS coach John Bakopolus post-game. “They are incredibly difficult to guard. They got out on us real early in the first half.”

None of the Amesbury starters played in the second quarter and the Pioneers used consecutive three’s by freshman Gavin Deluties (14 points) to lessen their deficit to 38-25 at halftime.

The AHS starters returned in the third quarter and the pace picked up and the shots started falling.

Cam had a 9-point quarter and teammate Matt added eight points in a 23-point AHS period. The Indians’ lead ballooned to 61-37 after three periods.

The final quarter belonged to the reserves from both squads.

“The kids on our bench came in and were ready to play,” said Coach Comeau. Ten players on the Amesbury team scored points.

Freshman Zach Pincus (12 points) connected three times from long range for Lynnfield in the final quarter.

Coach Bakopolus: “We’re not at the level to compete with them yet. Every mistake we made they capitalized on. There’s a reason why they’re one of the top teams in the area.”

Matt Welch: “We had good defense and rebounding. We have good chemistry with each other.”

Coach Comeau: “I’ve been on both sides of games like this. Lynnfield worked real hard. They have a group of good kids. I think they were missing five kids with Covid.”

Coach Bakopolus: “Our kids didn’t stop fighting. We’re dealing with some stuff, but I think every team is. You have to power through it.”

Lynnfield was 4-6 last season and defeated Amesbury, 75-67.

Lynnfield’s win this year was over Rockport on January 4^th.

Amesbury 25 13 23 13 = 74

Lynnfield 8 17 12 20 = 57

(The pictures enlarge when you click on them.)

Gavin Deluties goes behind his back to get to the basket

Mekhi Peters tries to get past Henry O’Neill

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Tagged as Cam Keliher, Gavin Deluties, Matt Welch, Zach Pincus

January 9, 2022 · 8:26 pm

Triton holds off Lynnfield 52-45

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Bella George (13 points) covers Kendall Liebert (22 points)

(Byfield MA) “It was a great game, back and forth,” said Lynnfield coach Sue Breen afterwards.

A tie after the first quarter was followed by both teams having a lead in the second quarter. Triton had a tenuous one-point lead going into the final quarter.

In the final quarter, however, the Vikings (5-3) early on combined an effective zone defense with some unanswered offense to take a seven-point lead. Triton never trailed thereafter and secured a, 52-45, win over (1-4) Lynnfield on Sunday afternoon.

Molly Kimball was one of four seniors honored today

The win was special for Triton. “It was Senior Day, and you always like to get a W on that day,” said Vikings coach Bryon Shields post-game.

Sophomore Kendall Liebert had another big game for the Vikings with twenty-two points. Seven of Kendall’s points were in the final quarter when this game was decided.

When Kendall wasn’t making layups, she was getting contact on the way in. Kendall was an excellent 10-for-12 from the line.

Junior Bella George paced the Pioneers with thirteen points.

“Bella George is awesome,” said Coach Breen. “Really steady.”

Bella helped the visitors get to a, 22-15, advantage four minutes into the second quarter.

Triton had answers. Three’s from seniors Molly Kimball and Maeve Heffernan, as well as a layup by Maeve set up by Isabelle Basile put the home team in front, 25-24.

The Vikings had a 30-26 lead at halftime and a one-point lead (35-34) at the end of three periods.

This one had “tight finish” written all over it.

But something changed. Triton switched to a zone defense.

“We went into it (zone defense) coming out of the third quarter,” recalled Coach Shields. “They had trouble making shots against it and so we stayed with it.”

For two minutes the Vikings shut out the Pioneers. “Our zone defense is one of our strongest defenses,” said Maeve Heffernan afterwards.

A three by Molly Kimball (six points) and a successful drive by Kendall Liebert put consecutive points together and Triton was ahead, 41-34, with six minutes to go.

There was plenty of time left for Lynnfield to get back into it and they started to score consistently as Bella George heated up again. But on this afternoon, Triton responded with their own points. One time it was a Brianna Welch rebound basket. Another time it was a Lia Hatheway three. Kendall added two assisted layups. The Vikings came away with a 52-45 win.

“We had trouble when they went zone,” said Coach Breen. “You have to put the ball in the basket. It’s an easy game when you can do that.”

Coach Shields: “It was a dog fight. The difference was our intensity on the defensive end late in the game and our rebounding.”

Maeve Heffernan: “It was a hard-fought game. We’re not a team that gives up. We kept working hard.”

Coach Breen: “We competed the whole game. I think that it was the best game we’ve played so far.”

The 12:30PM start made for some interesting lighting.

Coach Breen coached Lynnfield from 1994-99 before switching to North Andover from 2000-2013.

The Pioneers broke a three-game losing streak with a win over Collegiate Charter School (Lowell) on January 4^th.

The Vikings were 2-8 last season ending with eight straight losses. One of those losses was to Lynnfield, 54-20.

The two teams will meet again at Lynnfield on January 21^st.

(The pictures enlarge when you click on them.)

Kendall Liebert (22) up for a block attempt

Maggie Ozanian (8 points) in for a layup

Taylor Valiton shoots over Paige Leavitt

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Tagged as Bella George, Coach Sue Breen, Kendall Liebert, Maeve Heffernan, Molly Kimball

January 6, 2022 · 11:41 pm

Undefeated Newburyport (6-0) downs North Reading 45-29

Brianne Slattery chased by Olivia McDonald

(Newburyport MA) Things haven’t gone perfectly for the Newburyport girls’ basketball team.

Tonight was another one of those nights.

“The game was frustrating,” said NHS coach Karen Grutchfield afterwards. “We didn’t execute very well, and we missed a ton of shots early.”

But despite the imperfections the Clippers are perfect where it counts the most; wins and losses.

Newburyport (6-0) defeated North Reading, 45-29 in Cape Ann League action.

Good luck to the teams in the Cape Ann League when Newburyport plays really well!

“She (Coach Karen Grutchfield) has a great team here,” said NR coach Bob Romeo afterwards. “They play with a level of execution that it takes to win.”

It didn’t start out that way tonight as the Clippers trailed after three minutes, 4-2, and called a timeout.

Not sure what was said in the timeout but the next two minutes of playing time were a showcase for recently returned Deirdre McElhinney. Deirdre had missed several games with Covid.

The talented junior knocked down consecutive three’s and put in a fancy layup after a feed from MaKenna Ward.

Suddenly it’s the Clippers up, 10-4, and their lead would grow from there.

“It’s good to be back,” said Deirdre (12 points). “I’m feeling much better than I did last week.”

The Hornets (1-5) then sealed their fate by slipping into a nightmarish second quarter getting only three points.

“We struggle to score especially when we play really good teams that dig in and play defense,” said NR coach Bob Romeo.

The Hornets, led by Brianne Slattery and Faith Newton, were able to get to the basket but had trouble finishing. When the Hornets were fouled, they struggled at the line.

“Our foul shooting (1-for-8 in the second quarter) was not good,” admitted Coach Romeo. “If you can’t make free throws and layups it’s going to be a long game.”

Newburyport led, 25-9, at the half and extended that lead to twenty points (35-15) in the third quarter.

Emma Foley (15 points) got hot from the right baseline collecting eight points in the third quarter.

North Reading played an active zone defense for the entire game. Newburyport featured man-to-man almost all the way.

“Anna Seidel did a good job on #15 (Faith Newton),” said Coach Grutchfield post-game. “I thought she made a difference.”

North Reading kept Newburyport out of the 50’s for the first time this season.

“They (North Reading) showed that we didn’t run our zone offense very effectively,” said Coach Grutchfield.

The Clippers usually passed into open looks but shot inconsistently from the openings.

“It was good to play against a zone,” said Deirdre. “We were able to work for shots outside and hit our posts when they came out after us.”

Coach Romeo liked the way his team attacked the basket. “We were getting to the rim against a very good defensive team. That’s a positive.”

Coach Grutchfield: “It’s fabulous to have Deirdre back. She’s fun to watch. She’s such a smart player. But I do want her to shoot more.”

The two teams will match up again on January 21^st at North Reading.

(The pictures enlarge when you click on them.)

Deirdre McElhinney passes to Brela Pavao (13)

Deirdre McElhinney tries to get to the basket

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Tagged as Anna Seidel, Brianne Slattery, Coach Bob Romeo, Coach Karen Grutchfield, Deirdre McElhinney, Emma Foley, Faith Newton

January 4, 2022 · 11:10 pm

Amesbury downs Triton 70-51

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Cam Keliher (20 points) chased by several Vikings

(Byfield MA) Amesbury got double/doubles from Cam Keliher and Nick Marden tonight.

That was more than enough to defeat Triton, 70-51, in Cape Ann League action.

This game was close for a half, with the Indians only slightly ahead (29-28) at the intermission.

The Indians (3-2) dominated the second half.

“The kids battled the entire game,” said Amesbury coach Tom Comeau afterwards.

“We wanted to spread them out and battle inside,” Coach Comeau added. “They’re a big physical team.”

Nick Marden (11 points/13 rebounds) was impressive for Amesbury. “He’s a beast inside,” said Coach Comeau.

Endicott commit Cam Keliher (20 points/10 rebounds) handled the ball well and registered eight points in the final quarter as the Indians built their lead.

In the third quarter it was Matt Welch (18 points) getting nine of those points as Amesbury put a lead together.

“Matt continues to go to the basket and cause havoc inside,” said Coach Comeau.

“I thought we started out good in the first half but the game got away from us in the second half,” explained Triton’s Dylan Wilkinson post-game. “We did our best. Cam (Keliher) is a tough one to guard.”

Cam said afterwards that the team came into the game confident. “We had beaten Georgetown before the break. We knew it would be tough here. We hadn’t beaten them here in something like ten years.”

The keys to the win according to Cam were “we pushed the ball and played good defense.”

The Amesbury rebounding impressed Triton coach Ted Schruender. “Amesbury killed us in rebounding,” he said. “We also lost our composure in the second half.”

“Our pressure helped wear them down in the second half,” said Coach Comeau.

I was impressed with the way Amesbury shared the ball. “These kids have played together for a long time,” said Coach Comeau. “They trust each other.”

Coach Schruender: “Cam is a great player. He’s also a classy, classy kid.”

Griff Dupuis and Quintin McHale led Triton with fourteen points each. Griff connected four times from long range.

Dylan Wilkinson made three 3’s and reached eleven points for the (2-3) Vikings.

Dylan told me that he plans to go to college and hopes to walk-on for a chance to play basketball.

Amesbury 18 11 22 21 = 70

Triton 10 18 15 8 = 51

The pictures will enlarge if you click on them.

Dylan Wilkinson guarded by Jake Hallinan

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Tagged as Cam Keliher, Dylan Wilkinson, Griff Dupuis, Matt Welch, Nick Marden, Quintin McHale

January 2, 2022 · 6:41 pm

St. Mary’s defeats St. John’s 52-42

(The pictures below will enlarge if you click on them.)

(Danvers MA) St. John’s Prep didn’t have the firepower to stay with St. Mary’s for an entire game.

When the (6-1) Spartans put baskets together in the second half the Eagles didn’t have answers and fell, 52-42, on Sunday afternoon.

The Eagles led at halftime (18-17).

In the second half, St. Mary’s finished well inside while defending the home team into a low percentage outside game.

Senior Kyle Webster was St. John’s top scorer with nine points.

The Spartans’ David Brown was very effective on both ends of the court. David had eleven points with five assists plus seven rebounds and five steals.

David also had a crowd-pleasing dunk in the first half and a block in the final quarter.

The Prep’s Jack Perry looked to be in free for a layup but hustling David caught up and got the exciting block.

David Brown (right) about to block Jack Perry’s shot

Derick Coulanges led St. Mary’s with thirteen points, all in the first three quarters.

Omri Merryman added ten points with seven boards.

Senior Henri Miraka finished with nine points including a dagger three in the final minute to seal the deal for St. Mary’s.

The Eagles’ defense was solid, but they didn’t have the points. The Eagles graduated forty-two points per game in scoring and lost their best passer as well. They’ll need to find some answers, but there is time.

Ali Barry was St. Mary’s top scorer last year averaging fourteen points per game. Today he was limited to one point and few shots.

St. Mary’s is D3 and in the Catholic Central League.

St. John’s is D1 and in the Catholic Conference.

St. Mary’s 6 11 18 17 = 52

St. John’s 11 7 10 14 = 42

(The pictures will enlarge if you click on them.)

Henri Miraka (nine points and six rebounds)

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Tagged as Coach John Dullea, David Brown, Derick Coulanges, Henry Miraka, Kyle Webster

December 29, 2021 · 10:25 pm

Long-range Reading downs Amesbury 59-33

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Jackie Malley (29 points including seven 3’s)

(Wilmington MA) “You can live by the three and you can die by the three.”

You usually hear that line when a team starts hot from long range but doesn’t know when to stop shooting from out there.

Fast forward to this afternoon’s girls’ basketball game between Amesbury and Reading.

There was no second part to the Rockets’ long-range game today.

They not only lived by the three, but they thrived on it!

Reading connected from downtown thirteen times and overwhelmed Amesbury, 59-33.

This was a first-rounder in the Wilmington Holiday Tournament. Both teams play again tomorrow.

Senior Jackie Malley (29 points) was amazing for Reading from the get-go.

Jackie had a sixteen-point first quarter that separated the Rockets from the Indians in a hurry.

“They couldn’t miss,” said Amesbury coach Gregg Dollas afterwards. “I didn’t think that our defense was that bad.”

But on this afternoon, Reading (3-2) clicked consistently from beyond the arc.

Jackie Malley had seven of those three’s and her sister Jess had two others.

“We have a lot of good shooters,” said Jackie afterwards, “and we found them really well today. I just took shots as they came and felt confident.”

Jackie is committed to D3 basketball next year at St. Lawrence University in New York. The Saints are located, as the name suggests, along the St. Lawrence River in northern New York.

“Jackie (Malley) had a great game today,” said Reading coach Kara Melillo post-game. “She’s led us all year. She definitely set the tone for us offensively and defensively.”

The Rockets started the first two minutes of the second quarter with a three from freshman Molly Trahan (16 points) followed by a three and a layup from Jackie Malley. That burst of offense gave Reading a 29-9 advantage.

This one had long-afternoon written all over it for Amesbury.

The Indians (3-1) had limited their opponents to the 30’s but by halftime today the Rockets had a 32-19 lead.

An Amesbury optimist would have expected in the second half that the team from the Middlesex League would cool off while the team from the Cape Ann League would put some points together and make it a closer game.

Not today.

In the third quarter, the Rockets made three more three’s, while holding Amesbury to only three points.

“We didn’t play together enough on offense,” said Coach Dollas. “We need to fix that.”

The Indians settled too often for drives through traffic and the first open look that showed up.

Avery Hallinan (18 points) was the most successful of the Indians in getting to the basket. She drew contact and ended up taking fourteen free throws.

The Rockets put a 19-1 run together in the second half to expand their lead to, 54-22, 2 ½ minutes into the final quarter.

“When you’re hitting 3’s, two or three feet outside the line with consistency it’s pretty hard to defend,” said Coach Dollas.

“Every game I’ve watched them play they didn’t hit like this,” he added. “It was something I’ve never seen.”

“We worked really hard in practice this week,” said Jackie Malley. “We tried hard to move the ball around and everyone contributed. We trusted each other.”

It was one of those games in which even when the Rockets missed a long shot, they were often able to find the rebound.

Coach Melillo: “We had one of our better practices yesterday. The kids played with a lot of energy today. The shots were falling today and that certainly helped us.”

Coach Dollas: “I doubt that we’ll see anyone as hot as this team in the Cape Ann League.”

I was impressed with the Wilmington facility. It had plenty of seating as well as open space around the outside of the court. The lighting was also very good.

Reading 21 11 15 12 = 59

Amesbury 9 10 3 11 = 33

(All of the pictures will enlarge if you click on them.)

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Tagged as Avery Hallinan, Coach Kara Melillo, Jackie Malley, Molly Trahan

December 29, 2021 · 12:59 am

Strong second half separates Newburyport from Triton 54-31

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Emma Foley (19 points) had a strong second half for Newburyport

Olivia McDonald (4) and Reese Renda (45)

(Newburyport MA) Key player Deirdre McElhinney was missing (Covid).

Inside presence Abigail Gillingham had graduated.

But neither of those things kept Newburyport from defeating Triton, 54-31, on Tuesday night.

The win advances the undefeated Clippers (4-0) to the title game of the Institution for Savings Girls Holiday Basketball Tournament tomorrow night against Hamilton-Wenham.

Sophomore Olivia McDonald filled in nicely for Deirdre while Emma Foley feasted on the inside of the Triton zone defense.

However, don’t be fooled by the final score. The Vikings (3-2) were very much in this one (25-23) with only three minutes left in the third quarter.

However, the two-point deficit at that time was a distant memory by the time the game ended.

“We just ran out of steam,” surmised Triton coach Bryan Shields afterwards. “Newburyport is a great team.”

The Clippers man-to-man pressure and foul trouble for high scoring Kendall Liebert (16 points) combined to limit Triton points severely.

The Vikings suddenly couldn’t match baskets with the Clippers.

Newburyport ran six straight points before Caitlin Frary (8 points) put in a layup.

The Clippers followed with ten unanswered points before a free throw from Lia Hatheway.

Then came eight straight Newburyport points and this game was out-of-hand, 49-26, with five minutes left.

Key performer for the Clippers during their productive second-half possessions was junior Emma Foley. Emma had ten points during the breakaway segments and finished with nineteen points.

“We lost a lot of forwards from last year,” explained Emma post-game. “I realized that I had to step up. I’m working hard to do that this season. It’s really fun to play inside.”

Emma went out with an injury in the second quarter but returned to have a sixteen-point second half.

Emma Foley was injured in the second quarter on this play

“I have been playing on a sprained ankle for a couple of weeks now,” she said. “A girl landed on it tonight.”

The Vikings used a zone defense for most of the night.

“We wanted to slow them down and keep them out of the paint,” said Coach Shields. “We were keying on “10” (Makenna Ward). She’s a great player for sure. We wanted to focus on her and make the rest of the team beat us.”

Makenna was limited to six points, but the rest of the team caught fire in the second half led by Emma Foley to get the victory.

The Newburyport defense created twenty-four Triton turnovers. Most of the Vikings’ miscues were in the halfcourt and didn’t lead to many breakaway layups.

Triton put its best basketball on display in the second quarter. Trailing 17-9, the Vikings doubled their score while shutting out the Clippers during a three-minute segment. Kendall Liebert had a fullcourt layup and two assists to spark the visitors to an 18-17 lead.

One thing that both teams had in common was poor foul shooting. The Clippers missed ten while the Vikings missed eight. Several were the front ends of one-and-one’s.

Triton’s Molly Kimball was the only player to make a 3-point shot.

Free throw shooting was a problem for both teams

The Clippers came up with five rebound baskets. “We pride ourselves in our rebounding, but we didn’t do quite enough of that tonight,” said Coach Shields.

Asked about the Institution for Savings tournament, Emma said, “We love this tournament. It’s fun. They have T-shirts and trophies.”

(The pictures will enlarge if you click on them.)