McClelland Miscellanea

December 23, 2015 · 11:30 pm

Nico Laveris (34 points) gets Stamford past Newtown 70-64 in overtime

Nico Laveris (34 points) hit five three-pointers including this one from the corner.

Nico Laveris collected twelve points after getting his 4th foul early in the final quarter

(Newtown CT) It made perfect sense to use a triangle-and-two defense to try and stop Stamford guards Jay Devito and Yan Carlos Marte.

Why? The twosome had combined for forty-three points in the Black Knights’ opener against New Milford.

But while Newtown quieted Jay and Yan Carlos to just sixteen points between them, their teammate Nico Laveris lit up the Hawks for 34 points and was truly the key to Stamford’s 70-64 overtime win on Wednesday night.

Nico picked up his 4^th foul early in the final quarter but strategic substituting by SHS coach Danny Melzer kept him out of the defensive end as much as possible. Good thing because this kept Nico available to score seven of Stamford’s last eight points in regulation, including a jump shot with forty seconds left to get the Black Knights into overtime.

The Hawks’ Nick Weiland had two glittering chances in the final forty seconds to cash the winner but not on this night. Nick’s second attempt was a half-court drive after a turnover in the final seconds that somehow Jay Devito and Nico Laveris avoided committing a foul on.

In the four-minute OT Nico set the tone on Stamford’s first possession draining a three and the Black Knight’s never trailed after that.

Dillon Palumbo (16 points) shoots from the corner.

Newtown (0-2) got within one (65-64) but Dillon Palumbo missed the tying free throw attempt with thirty-six seconds left. The visitors made five-of-six free throws the rest of the way while Newtown had turnovers on both of their possessions.

This was one of those games in which you figured if you waited long enough the team that was trailing would soon catch up. There were plenty of ties and lead changes.

This was the home opener for the Hawks. Newtown, 14-8 last season, has had to replace all five starters.

Jay Devito had eleven rebounds to go with his thirteen points.

Dillon Palumbo (16), Nevin Zink (15), and Sam Duffy (14) had double figures for the home team.

Tevin St. John (12) reached double figures for Stamford.

Junior Sam Grossano fouled out early in the 4^th quarter for Newtown.

Stamford (2-0) had a six-point lead (39-33) in the third quarter with 4 ½ minutes left but Newtown went on a 10-2 run over the next three minutes to pull ahead 43-41. Dillon Palumbo had six points in that segment including a 3-pointer.

Jay Devito (13 points) hit five of six free throw attempts in overtime.

Both teams were miserable at the charity stripe. Newtown: 14-for-25. Stamford: 21-for-37. Key to the win other than Nico? Stamford made 8 of 10 free throws in overtime.

Stamford, though undersized, played man-to-man throughout the game.

Next game for Newtown is hosting Kolbe Cathedral on December 28^th.

Stamford visits Joel Barlow on the same day.

Newtown box

Stamford box

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

Joe Duero

Nick Weiland tries to get around Yan Carlos Marte

Evan Eggleston attacks the rim

Nevin Zink (15 points) in for two

Tevin St. John and Sam Duffy – charge or block

Stamford pressures Tom Cotton

Yan Carlos Marte

Jay Devito had a double/double

game on

Nick Weiland’s last-second shot in regulation

Stamford coach Danny Melzer

Dillon Palumbo tries for a block on Steffan Harding

Plenty of Hawks on defense

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Filed under Newtown, Stamford

Tagged as Coach Danny Melzer, Dillon Palumbo, Jay Devito, Nevin Zink, Nico Laveris, Sam Duffy

December 21, 2015 · 11:15 pm

Cold shooting Georgetown falls to Amesbury 47-35

Abbie Sartori (16 points) had a big night on offense and defense for Amesbury

Rory Donoghue tries to get by Zoe Fitzgerald

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury started in a zone and stayed in a zone defeating Georgetown, 47-35, on Monday night in Cape Ann League play.

If you want to get a team out of a zone, you hit from the outside. The visiting Royals (2-2) only connected from long-range three times and that was not nearly enough to discourage the packed-in Indians (2-1).

Amesbury never trailed and when they put a 16-4 run together an anybody’s game (6-5) got out of reach (22-9) one minute into the second half.

G’Town’s missed three-pointers created long rebounds and Amesbury led by Maddie Napoli were quick to race ahead for layups.

Abbie Sartori (16 points) led all scorers. The AHS junior was on the payoff end of several of the Indians breakaways.

It was a long night for the Royals. The Amesbury zone keyed the passing lanes and harassed Georgetown’s outside shooters. It also seemed that every G’Town possession in close drew at least two defenders.

Hailey Bonia defended by Julia LaMontagne

A telling stat was sixteen Georgetown turnovers in just the first half. Combine cold outside shooting with miscues trying to get inside looks and you can understand the Royals getting only nine points in the first half and behind by eleven.

The Indians had a much better time against the zone used by G’Town. They were able to get the ball into open looks in the corners. There were also some terrific feeds from the corners into Megan Reid (9 points) cutting down the lane.

The Royals closed to within nine points (30-21) after senior Cayla Durkee hit two free throws with three minutes left in the third quarter. But Amesbury answered with a run of seven straight to gain significant separation (37-21). Scorers for the Indians in this segment were Zoe Fitzgerald, Julia LaMontagne, and Abbie Sartori.

Next for Amesbury will be Ipswich at home (6:30PM) on Wednesday.

Next for Georgetown is Hamilton-Wenham at home (6:30PM) on the same night.

Georgetown wanted to full-court press but couldn’t put enough good offense together to get into it.

Maya Spence pursued by Abbie Sartori

Amesbury, 8-12 in 2014-15, looks ready to do better than that this season.

Hamilton-Wenham defeated Amesbury 57-53 three days ago by forcing twenty Amesbury turnovers and making eleven three’s. The Indians may have had twenty turnovers versus Georgetown but they weren’t stung from long range.

Good work by the Amesbury student section. Looked to me as if a number of the members of the boys basketball team were on hand. Nice to see that kind of support.

Amesbury boxscore

Georgetown boxscore

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

Abbie Sartori

Cayla Durkee

Amesbury student section in synch

Maeve McNeill, Megan Reid, and Hailey Bonia battle

Julie LaMontagne (#10) gets off a shot inside

game on!

Flanner O’Connor runs into some Rory Donoghue defense

Megan Reid defended by Cayla Durkee

Maddie Napoli swings down the lane

Freshman Flannery O’Connor gets to the rim

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Filed under Amesbury, Georgetown

Tagged as Abbie Sartori, Cayla Durkee, Julia LaMontagne, Maddie Napoli, Megan Reid

December 15, 2015 · 10:05 pm

Pentucket wins Cape Ann League opener in OT 55-52 over Newburyport

Dan Baribeault gets off the possible game-winner at the end of regulation

Nate McGrail (21 points) drives to the basket

(Newburyport) Trust me, Pentucket didn’t win this one at the free throw line!

The Sachems (1-0) missed twenty of twenty-nine free throws yet still managed to get by Newburyport, 55-52, in overtime on Tuesday night.

This game started the Cape Ann League schedule for both teams.

Newburyport (0-1) looked close to victory in the final quarter after senior Dan Baribeault put five points together in a row to push the Clippers ahead, 44-38, with just under four minutes left. But Pentucket, which had six 3’s in the game, clicked on three of them in the final 2:25 to force overtime.

Lucas Chory, Jimmy Cleary, and Ryan DePaolo connected from long distance in the exciting Sachems’ finish. Ryan’s three was with fifteen seconds left.

The Clippers had the final possession is regulation and Dan Baribeault had a good look at the game-winner from the top of the key. On this evening Dan’s shots weren’t falling, he was limited to eight points, and overtime became necessary.

The key to the win? Pentucket’s ability to get to the basket. Granted at times this approach got them to the foul line where they had serious trouble but other times they made layups.

Sophomore Nate McGrail (21 points) had two such layups in overtime and that was enough to get Pentucket the victory.

Nate’s second layup gave the visitors a 53-52 lead with forty-three seconds left. The Clippers had two more possessions to answer back but neither of Quinn Stott’s shots connected. The Sachems responded with two free throws.

Nick Rogers (12 points) connected four times from long range

Jimmy Cleary totaled thirteen points for the Sachems. He also had an important block on Dan Baribeault late in regulation.

Nick Rogers paced Newburyport with twelve points all on 3’s.

The Newburyport student section went straight for the jugular pre-game chanting, “Where is Pat Friermuth?” The remarkable junior transferred to Brooks after leading Pentucket to the D3 state semifinals last year.

Lots of black and orange on display as a reminder of the passing of long-time Ipswich coach Doug Woodworth.

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

Newburyport box

Pentucket box

Season under way

Quinn Stott pressures Conor O’Neil

Ronnie Mwai gets two

Ryan DePaolo (#21) sent the game into OT with a 3-point shot

Jimmy Cleary blocks Dan Baribeault’s shot

Conor O’Neil attempts a free throw in front of the Newburyport student section

Lucas Chory chased by Nick Rogers

Nate McGrail

Jimmy Cleary (13 points)

Danny Baribeault on defense

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Filed under Newburyport, Pentucket

Tagged as Dan Baribeault, Doug Woodworth, Jimmy Cleary, Nate McGrail, Nick Rogers

November 25, 2015 · 11:18 pm

Ben Mason runs wild as Newtown routs Masuk 40-8

Ben Mason found plenty of daylight and the end zone five times in a career game on offense.

(Monroe CT) Remember Ben Mason the 6-3/240 pound defensive standout? Eighty-seven tackles and four interceptions.

On Thanksgiving Eve the Newtown coaching staff decided to feature Ben Mason on the offensive side of things against Masuk. Did he ever make an impression! Ben was a key piece in Newtown’s 40-8 thrashing of the Panthers on chilly Wednesday night at Masuk.

Ben’s stats? Fourteen carries. 120 yards. Five touchdowns.

Ben Mason with blockers aplenty and paydirt ahead

Ben had played offense before (nine carries in 2015) but obviously in a limited fashion. Now the cat is out of the bag and down-the-road playoff opponents (selections announced Friday) will have another thing to consider defensively.

Ben Mason benefits from terrific interior blocking to score

On this night it appeared that Masuk expected the Nighthawks to run inside and committed heavily to that assumption. Unfortunately, for the Panthers, Newtown opted to attack the outside edges from new formations with a new back. Five touchdowns in the first half spoke clearly of the rousing success of the Newtown approach.

Ben was able to get to the outside three different times with blockers looking in vain for Panthers to block on touchdown runs. Only the sideline official ran with Ben the final twenty yards. It was that kind of night.

Key moment? After the first Ben Mason TD, a penalty forced a longer than usual extra point attempt that was missed by Ryan Kost. Trailing just 6-0, you could envision Masuk evening the score and getting ahead with a PAT. What happened? Ryan Kost’s kickoff hit the ground and for some reason wasn’t picked up (fallen on) by any of the Panthers including nearby Collin Briganti. Aggressive Mike Doyle fell on the free ball setting Newtown up at the Masuk 21. So instead of having the ball and a chance to tie or go ahead, the home team was back on defense. Before you knew it, QB Justin Dunn connected with Ben on the right and the talented senior crossed the field to the left corner for his second score.

battle in the air

This turn of events started Masuk’s downhill slide that put Newtown in total command (34-0) by halftime. Many in the crowd chose the exits over another half of one-sided football.

Masuk finishes their season at 6-4. A promising 6-of-7 start turned into a season-closing three-game losing streak.

Seniors from Masuk were honored before the game.

No sign of Newtown’s Hunter Cobb or Jared Pearson in this one. Ethan Carpenter left the game early with a leg injury.

The Nighthawks (9-1) played without Hunter and Jared in the loss to Fairfield in their previous game. The setback ended a string of 40 straight wins for Newtown during the regular season in the South-West Conference.

Senior Mike Doyle had a memorable game……..158 yards, 10-yard TD, and fumble recovery.

The Nighthawks had two first-half interceptions including one on the goal-line.

For those of us easily confused, the program was a problem. There were two #5’s for Newtown as well as an unlisted #8. #8 turned out to be Nick Samuelson whose number was changed from 52 because he was getting some reps on offense.

Trying to keep Ben Mason out of the end zone

Masuk’s Nick Dellapiano added to his impressive total yards (1415) getting a 45-yard score from QB Matt Hersch in the third period.

Newtown’s last state title was in 1992. I would like to think that a title in 2015 could happen.

The last Masuk win in their series with Newtown was in 2011. On that evening at Newtown the Nighthawks had no answers for Casey Cochran and the Panthers. It was a mismatch similar to the 2015 version.

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

Joey Capodagli and other Masuk seniors honored before the game

Ryan Kost extra point

Masuk pass attempt

Newtown interception

Fake punt wrecked by Nick Samuelson

Mike Doyle (on the ground with the ball) reaches the end zone in the first half

Action on the line of scrimmage

Ben Mason with lots of room on the left sideline

Ben Mason congratulated in the end zone

Mike Doyle around left end

Justin Dunn and Mark Hall celebrate with Ben Mason

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Filed under Masuk, Newtown

Tagged as Ben Mason, Joe Capodagli, Justin Dunn, Mike Doyle, Nick Dellapiano, Nick Samuelson, South-West Conference

November 21, 2015 · 11:16 pm

Needham takes girls soccer state title 3-1 over Algonquin

2015 Division 1 girls soccer state champs (Needham)

Rachel Kingston (2 goals) carries the state title trophy

(Lynn MA) The Needham Rockets went up 3-0 in the Division 1 title game eight minutes into the second half and cruised to 3-1 win over the Algonquin Tomahawks for their first state title in thirty years on Saturday at Manning Field in Lynn.

Needham’s senior Rachel Kingston tallied two goals on juicy setups by junior teammate Crea Baker-Durante. Rachel will be playing for Boston University in 2016.

Senior Kathleen Rizzo put back a rebound to put the South champs up by two just two minutes into the second half.

Algonquin’s senior Caroline Leonard rammed home a rebound with fifteen minutes to go to narrow the Rockets’ lead to 3-1.

I was very impressed with Needham defender Dee Picou. She didn’t just blast balls out of the zone, instead she cleared to teammates and several times carried the ball into the T-Hawks end.

The Rockets (22-0-2) had the best chances to score. Credit their speed and passing ability.

That first goal was very impressive. My picture shows Crea Baker-Durante with an open look at Algonquin goalie Lauren Commarando. Some girls would rip a hard shot at the goal. Not Crea. She got the ball into a sweet spot in front of the net and teammate Rachel Kingston had plenty of open net to shoot at.

Crea Baker-Durante in on goal

Crea Baker-Durante passes right

Crea Baker-Durante’s pass finds open space in the middle.

Rachel Kingston’s shot gets past GK Lauren Cammarano

Needham celebrates first goal

That goal, fifteen minutes in, showed how dangerous that two-some could be. Sure enough, in the second half Crea and Rachel combined the same way (nice centering pass, plenty of open net from a shot down the middle) to put up a three-goal cushion.

Caroline Leonard shoots Algonquin’s only goal

At that 3-0 juncture with thirty-two minutes left, things were more than a little dire for the team from Northboro. The Rockets had only allowed six goals total in their previous twenty-one games. Credit the Tomahawks for getting a goal because there was no letting up by Needham.

Algonquin (21-2) had lost in the Central finals three straight years before getting to the state finals this year.

Needham had lost three straight years in the South semifinals before taking the state title today.

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

Dee Picou

Needham coach Carl Tarabelli

Emma White

Ball coming toward T-Hawk’s goalie Lauren Cammarano

Olivia Greif (23) battles Sydney Carney (6)

Emma Spector shoots

Driving toward the Needham goal

Alicia Calcagni (17) defends Katherine Hostage (8)

Rachel Kingston (#5) celebrates Needham’s third goal

Mackenzie Smith (25) and Rachel Kingston (5)

loose ball in front of the Algonquin net

Algonquin celebrates goal

Crea Baker-Durante (two assists)

Kathleein Rizzo (scored second Needham goal)

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Filed under Algonquin, Needham

Tagged as Alicia Calcagni, Caroline Leonard, Crea Baker-Durante, Dee Picou, Emma Spector, Kathleen Rizzo, Rachel Kingston, Sydney Carney

November 15, 2015 · 11:29 pm

North Reading girls soccer wins D3 North 2-1 over Bishop Fenwick

2015 Division 3 North Champions (North Reading)

North Reading starts to celebrate

(Lynn MA) Sophomore Rachel Hill scored a goal in the first half and assisted on the game-winner in the second half as North Reading defeated #2 Bishop Fenwick, 2-1, to win the Division 3 North title on Sunday afternoon at Manning Field in Lynn.

The #5 Hornets (17-3-2) will face D3 South winner Medway (17-1-3) on Wednesday night (5PM) in the D3 state semi-finals at Manning Field. Medway was the #1 seed in the South.

The NR win avenges a 1-0 loss they suffered against the team from Peabody in late October.

Rachel Hill (#12 on the ground) sends a grounder past GK Merry Harrington into the net

Rachel Hill’s goal came very late in the first half. After getting a pass from Marissa Zarella, Rachel dribbled across the middle of the box from right to left. GK Merry Harrington moved over to cover and Rachel, as she was going down, hit a grounder past her. Rachel’s roller reached the far corner of the goal with less than two minutes to play in the half.

Bishop Fenwick mobs Colleen Corcoran after her game-tying goal

At 31:04 of the second half the Crusaders evened things. Seniors Colleen Corcoran and Danielle DelTorto combined nicely on the score. Danielle carried down the left side and sent Colleen a delicious cross into the box. Colleen got a straight-on blast off the sailed over GK Kat Hassapis’ head.

The Corcoran/DelTorto connection tallied the only goal in the Fenwick win over North Reading in the regular season.

Sixteen minutes later (15:36) North Reading put in the goal that keeps their season going. Rachel Hill sent junior Haley Nathan ahead along the left side. Haley had defender Emily Charette to her right. GK Merry Harrington moved over and out to protect the net. Haley was able to get off a shot that went by Merry and rolled into the goal.

Katie Welch and Colleen Corcoran

Both of the NR goals were on the ground with a lot less than lightning speed on the shots. It isn’t always the hardest hit shot that gets the job done, at least not in this game.

Colleen Corcoran hit a crossbar in the first half. Katie Welch had a near-miss for the Hornets from long range in the second half.

Beautiful day for mid-November in these parts……50’s and sunny.

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

GK Merry Harrington

Mary Gerdenich

header

Kristen Bradley dribbles

Danielle DelTorto goes over GK Kat Hassapis

Katie Welch and Abby Rocker

Marissa Zarella and Ellen Fantozzi

Rachel Hill and Emily Smith

battle for the ball

Goalkeeper Kat Hassapis

Giana Moscaritolo and Danielle DelTorto

Haley Nathan

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Filed under Bishop Fenwick, North Reading

Tagged as Colleen Corcoran, Danielle DelTorto, Division 3 North girls soccer, Haley Nathan, Kat Hassapis, Marissa Zarella, Merry Harrington, Rachel Hill

November 8, 2015 · 10:41 pm

Pinkerton Academy gets first D1 girls soccer title in PK’s (1-0) over Londonderry

2015 New Hampshire Division 1 girls soccer champions (Pinkerton Academy)

Nicole Alves & Sam Mitchell

(Exeter NH) The Pinkerton Academy girls soccer team won the 2015 Division 1 New Hampshire state title 1-0 over Londonderry on penalty kicks on Sunday afternoon at Exeter High School.

The title is the first for the #1 seed Astros (18-1).

The #3 Lancers (16-4) had won eight straight before losing to their neighbors from Derry.

There were golden chances for both teams. Not many but enough to make you think that it might take only two halves to settle things. But PA goalie Sam Mitchell and LHS goalie Jackie Luckhardt had other ideas.

The talented seniors were key to getting this title match to penalty kicks.

In PK’s, the hero of the game became PA goalie Sam Mitchell. When the Lancers Gretchen McGrath hit the crossbar in Round 3, the Astros had the advantage. Finally, in Round 5, Sam guessed right and dove left to smother Mackenzie Donovan’s attempt and Pinkerton had their first title.

Sam Mitchell blocks Mackenzie Donovan’s PK to clinch the title

The Lancers’ loss lowlighted a forgettable weekend for Londonderry. The night before the LHS boys soccer team lost in the finals to Concord.

However, earlier this year in March both the girls and boys basketball teams from Londonderry won titles on the same weekend.

Courtney Velho had a penalty kick in the first half that went wide.

Nicole Alves drew tight coverage from Halle Hamilton most of the game.

Laurel Goding and June Cranmer got in clean on GK Sam Mitchell but couldn’t get a shot off.

Laurel Goding & Erin Barnes in close on GK Sam Mitchell

Laurel Goding & June Cranmer in close on GK Sam Mitchell

Courtney Velho, Catherine Goodwin, Reanna Romano, and Mel Roberge of PA put shots past GK Jackie Luckhardt in the PK section of the game.

Halle Hamilton, Samantha LeClair, and Erin Barnes of Londonderry scored on GK Sam Mitchell in the same segment.

Billy Ball Stadium was a nice setting for the title game. Nice turf and plenty of seating. My camera wasn’t so sure about those lights that came on as the game went through two OT’s and then PK’s.

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

Sam Mitchell rushed by teammates after game-winning save

Nicole Alves tries to get past Gretchen McGrath

Katrina Rivard chases Britney Johnson

Reanna Romano on the move

Julia Bousquet between Andrea Nelson and Isabella Bourque

Another Jackie Luckhardt save

Courtney Velho takes a first-half penalty kick

GK Jackie Luckhardt robs Nicole Alves

another loose ball

loose ball

Jackie Luckhardt makes a save for Londonderry

Eleven players follow a soccer ball

Courtney Velho lines up a corner kick in front of a canine spectator

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Filed under Londonderry, Pinkerton

Tagged as Courtney Velho, Jackie Luckhardt, Londonderry High School, NH D1 girls soccer, Pinkerton Academy, Sam Mitchell

October 31, 2015 · 9:03 pm

Manchester-Essex (girls) and Masco (boys) win Cape Ann League XC championships

Masconomet captains with 2015 championship plaque

Manchester-Essex: 2015 Cape Ann League cross country champions

Maddie Quigley (Triton) finishes first

(Topsfield MA) The Manchester-Essex girls and the Masconomet boys came out winners at the Cape Ann League cross country championships held Saturday at Bradley Palmer State Park.

Maddie Quigley (Triton) and Joe Molvar (Newburyport) were the top finishers in each division.

The ME girls edged arch-rival Hamilton-Wenham in several head-to-head races within the race to get the title, 40-50. During the regular season HW got by ME by a one slim point to keep their dual-meet streak (129 straight) alive.

The Masco boys had too much depth for the rest of the CAL field. Newburyport took the top two spots (Joe Molvar and Jack Carleo) but the Chieftains still won, 60-73. Masco’s Daniel Cosgrove finished third.

Senior Maddie Quigley was behind fast-starting Emily DeMarco (Ipswich) for part of the race but had a good lead over Eve Feuerbach (ME) at the finish. Maddie finished 7^th in 2014.

Joe Molvar near the finish

Senior Joe Molvar trailed teammate Jack Carleo for part of the boys’ race but also ended up with a commanding lead over his Clippers’ teammate at the end.

An important last-second rally by ME’s Holly Fossa got her past HW’s Olivia Horgan and into sixth place.

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

Boys top finishers

Jack Carleo and Joe Molvar

HW coach Steve Sawyer gets “special” award

Maddie Quigley comes forward to get award afterwards

Grace Sousa (Georgetown) 10th

Girls top finishers

Jack Carleo (Newburyport) 2nd

Daniel Cosgrove (Masco) 3rd

Eve Feuerbach (ME) 2nd

Grace Moroney (HW) 4th

Evelyn Lantz (ME) 5th, Olivia Horgan (HW) 7th, Holly Fossa (ME) 6th

Hailee Gibadlo (Amesbury) 9th

Chris Chabot (Amesbury) won the boys JV title

Emily DeMarco (Ipswich) 10th

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Filed under 2015 Cape Ann League XC Championships, Amesbury, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Manchester-Essex, Masconomet, Newburyport, North Reading, Pentucket, Triton

Tagged as Eve Feuerbach, Jack Carleo, Joe Molvar, Maddie Quigley, Manchester-Essex, Masconomet

October 26, 2015 · 9:09 pm

Triton takes first CAL girls’ cross country title in 29 years

2015 CAL Kinney division champions

Maddie Quigley first

(Newbury MA) The fall foliage is always special at Old Town Hill in Newbury.

Today, however, something else was also special. What was it? A championship banner with the Triton girls’ cross country team behind it.

After twenty-nine years of trying, the Vikings have now won a Cape Ann League Kinney division title.

Led by Maddie Quigley (20:46), Triton went 1-2-3-6-7 to defeat Pentucket (5-5) on a sunny, cool Monday afternoon.

The Pentucket boys’ team got the best of Triton (3-7) as senior Sam Coppola took first to lead the way for the Sachems. The visitors from West Newbury captured 1-2-3-7-8 to finish the regular season 6-4.

Maddie leaves the pack early

The big story was Maddie. The talented senior ran alone almost from the get-go and seemed to enjoy her last trip through scenic Old Town Hill.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the girls’ division of the Cape Ann League cross country championships at Bradley Palmer Part on Saturday. Triton (8-2) will have a change to avenge both of their losses. When you lose only by one point to both Hamilton-Wenham (10-0) and Manchester-Essex (9-1) you have to think you have a good chance to do something very special on Saturday. Maddie should be the favorite in the race. Triton’s chances will hinge on where their next four runners come in on Saturday.

Sam Coppala and Nick Murphy finish 1 & 2

Senior Sam Coppola was credited with winning the boys’ race but he and teammate sophomore Nick Murphy crossed the finish line together. Sam was closest to the young man handing out the position sticks and so he got the first one. You won’t see anything like that happening on Saturday at Bradley Palmer.

Nice of several members of the 1986 Triton cross country team to take in the race and pose with the team later. Henry Sheldon was the coach then.

Although the Triton girls were only 4-6 in 2014, they entered 2015 with their top ten runners returning. That sizable nucleus has turned 2015 into a very special season.

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

Ethan Bridgewater (3rd) & Colin Brennan (4th)

Bryon Popp 5th

Maddie gets five from Coach Joe Colbert

Marissa Farago (2nd)

Sarah Maggiacomo (3rd), Siobhan O’Keefe (4th), and Vivian Burke (5th)

Chalee Welch 6th

Hannah Jean (7th) and Mary Ganzenmuller (8th)

Beatrice Donoghue 9th

Senior girls received flowers

Ryan Sheedy 6th

Josh Wildes 7th

The battle for 8th

Brett Repke gets 8th in a close one

Boys start

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Filed under Pentucket, Triton

Tagged as Cape Ann League cross country, Ethan Bridgewater, Maddie Quigley, Marissa Farago, Nick Murphy, Sam Coppola, Sarah Maggiacomo

September 19, 2015 · 12:10 pm

Newtown gets easy 45-7 win over Notre Dame-Fairfield in home opener

Plenty of end zone celebrating for Newtown as they crossed the goal line six times against Notre Dame – Fairfield

Jared Pearson (2 touchdowns) single one for teammate Declan Sullivan

Jared Pearson (2 touchdowns) signals one for teammate Declan Sullivan

(Newtown CT) No one expected otherwise in this one.

Newtown (2-0) finished off visiting ND-Fairfield (0-2) in the first half and played reserves thereafter in a 45-7 win over the Lancers on Friday night.

No crystal ball was required in assuming that ND would be overmatched against Newtown. Why? The Lancers from Division S have not won more than one game in each of the last four seasons. Last time ND came to Blue-and-Gold Stadium they were down by 36 points after one period! You get the idea.

The Hawks slowed themselves down early in their home opener with penalties. Still they came away with two scores in the first quarter.

At 7:43 Ben Mason took a short pass from QB Justin Dunn into the end zone. Ben’s TD started an evening in which Hawks’ runners got into the Lancers’ secondary in the first half with regularity. Tackling Newtown’s big/fast/elusive ball-carriers was a first-half nightmare for ND.

Ben Mason takes a Justin Dunn pass for first Hawks score

Before the next TD, defender Jared Pearson leveled Notre Dame pass receiver Ryan Celini. Ryan was looking back toward passing QB Micah Brantley as the ball reached him. When he started to turn and look upfield, Jared put a full-speed hit on him. Credit Ryan for holding on although when he got up he walked as if he wasn’t sure whether he was on foot or horseback.

Ryan Celine takes a big hit from Jared Pearson

Just before the first period ended (:07) Jared Pearson carried tacklers into the end zone. Ryan Kost added the extra point.

Jared Pearson carries tacklers to the end zone

Trailing 14-0, ND needed to put together a drive and avoid mistakes. Neither got done and the Hawks rolled up four more touchdowns in the second period.

The Newtown defense was clearly tuned into the presence of senior Hakim Fleming. Hakim tallied twelve touchdowns in 2014 including 1251 yards gained. The Hawks starting defense kept the 5’11” (255 pounds) back from even getting into their secondary. Therefore, sustaining a drive wasn’t going to happen for ND.

Miscues kill teams. In the fatal second quarter the Lancers were intercepted and lost a fumble. They also chose to fake a punt from their side of midfield and failed at it.

Ethan Carpenter (10:49) swept right and followed blockers into the end zone.

Blockers in place for Ethan Carpenter score

Jared Pearson (8:41) carried defenders straight ahead for a score from the ND 5.

Jared Pearson dives into the end zone

QB Justin Dunn tossed a pass that Declan Sullivan (4:27) caught at the ND 5 and carried in. Justin’s pass may have been underthrown because Jared Pearson was about ten yards deeper in the end zone.

Declan Sullivan gets the corner

Elusive Hunter Cobb (1:52) used a good collection of blockers to get around right end and in for six after ND’s fumble gave good field position.

Hunter Cobb sweeps right

The halftime show at Blue-and-Gold is always a pleasure to watch. This is being said by someone who almost always takes his eyes off of the field during halftime. Not at Newtown!

rifles in the air

flags flying

I was hoping for running time in the second half. Newtown did their part by benching starters and having the reserves use running plays almost exclusively.

The only time the Hawks’ starters showed up was when kicker Ryan Kost successfully attempted a 33-yard field goal. Isn’t that 33-yard distance the same as the NFL extra-point distance?

Ryan Kost 33-yard field goal

The Lancers broke the 45-0 shutout in the fourth quarter. They also had a punt block in that frame by Klyde Auba. Hakim Fleming (3:56) tallied the TD after getting into a north/south running route in the Newtown secondary. Several reserve Hawks bounced off the defending Class S heavyweight wrestling champ on his way to the end zone.