Tag Archives: Whittier Tech

January 20, 2014 · 10:58 pm

Last-minute rally gets Whittier past Newburyport 57-51

Lilly Donovan guards Andrea Terranova (16 points)

Emily Pettigrew (21 points) shoots over 6-3 Samnell Vonleh

(Newburyport MA) The Whittier Tech girls had ten-point runs in both halves and defeated Newburyport, 57-51, on Monday afternoon in non-league action.

The second ten-point streak happened in the final minute and enabled WT to overcome a four-point deficit and pull out a victory.

The Wildcats (7-2) had only two three’s in the first three quarters but connected on two straight (Andrea Terranova & Michaela Martin) in the last minute to jump ahead, 53-51, with thirty-two seconds left.

Andrea (16 points) and Michaela (16 points) closed things out with four consecutive free throws.

At the same time everything was going right for the visitors from Haverhill, the home-team Clippers (9-3) will do best to forget what happened when they had the ball in the last minute.

After Whittier’s first three, the Clippers still had a one-point lead (51-50). However, Aly Leahy missed the front end of a one-and-one in the possession before WT’s second three gave them the lead with 32 seconds left.

Down by only two (53-51), again with plenty of time to score, the Clippers turned the ball over in the backcourt and fouled the stealer (Andrea Terranova). Andrea made both free throws.

Samnell Vonleh ready to block Abbie Bresnahan in the last minute

Now down four (55-51), Abbie Bresnahan had a shot blocked out-of-bounds by 6-3 Samnell Vonleh. Still time left, Emily Pettigrew traveled. The Clippers were forced to foul and Michaela Martin finished things with two free throws.

The loss diminished the glow of a terrific performance by Newburyport’s Emily Pettigrew. The 6-foot sophomore tallied twenty-one points and seemed unfazed by WT’s size and physical play.

The Clippers built up a ten-point lead (21-11) 1 1/2 minutes into the second quarter. Some of that success for Newburyport was the way Mary Pettigrew kept the Wildcats Michaela Martin in check.

Trailing by ten, Whittier put their first ten-point run together. Two free throws by Andrea Terranova helped but the real damage was done by junior Kayla Riley notching two layups, a free throw, and a three to tie the score at 21-21 three minutes before the half.

Newburyport had five turnovers and missed the front end of a one-and-one during this segment.

Aly Leahy (13 points) tries to steal from Dominque Ortiz as NHS coach Gregg Dollas watches

It was the Clippers’ turn to put points together in the third quarter after trailing, 31-27. A nine-point streak featured an old-fashioned three by Abbie Bresnahan (9 points) and a normal three by Aly Leahy (13 points). This collection of points put Newburyport ahead, 36-31, with a minute left in the third quarter.

The Clippers were able to hold onto the lead until the final minute of the game.

Both teams pressed and pressured wherever the ball was. Neither team was very successful, as a result, in getting clean looks. The usual result was a shot in traffic or a turnover.

rebound action

The two teams combined for an unspectacular FIFTY turnovers. Newburyport had 27 and Whittier 23, by my unofficial count.

Both teams missed seven free throws. WT, however, connected twenty-three times including seven-of-eight in the final minute. The Clippers hit nine free throws.

I was impressed by the speed and spark of sophomore Abbie Bresnahan.

Whittier has now won four straight. They were 22-2 last season, losing in the Division 4 North final. It is not hard to imagine the Wildcats doing well in the state tournament again this year.

The Clippers will have to wait another day to qualify for the state tournament. They need one more win to get there. They are scheduled to face Amesbury on Friday night (7PM) in their next game.

Whittier is scheduled to host non-league Gloucester on Wednesday (5:30PM).

Michaela Martin (16 points)

Michaela Martin was a Lawrence Eagle Tribune All-Star last season.

Juniors Kayla Riley, Andrea Terranova, and Samnell Vonleh were Commonwealth Athletic Conference All-Stars in 2012-13.

WT has no seniors on their roster.

Whittier box

Newburyport box

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

Kayla Riley (13 points) sees an opening

Abbie Bresnahan drives on Andrea Terranova

Plenty of defenders around Emily Pettigrew

Aly Leahy lines up a free throw

Aly Leahy double teamed

Morgan Johnston eyes the hoop

Whittier rallies to defeat Ipswich, 20-18, in overtime football

Wildcat Jesus Sanchez (4) sweeps to the corner for the game-winning, two-point conversion

Henry Sacco scores a nine-yard touchdown for Ipswich in the second quarter.

(Haverhill) If you’re looking for a game with plusses and minuses for both teams, this was the one.

However, in the end it was Whittier coming away with the biggest plus defeating Ipswich in overtime, 20-18, on a lovely Saturday morning/afternoon in Haverhill.

Both teams had been trounced in their openers (Ipswich lost to Pingree 34-7.…Whittier was belted by Stoneham 34-6) and have never played each other before.

Ipswich (0-2) came in with experience (fifteen seniors) while Whittier (1-1) had a roster loaded with underclass athletes.

Ipswich was excellent in the first half getting a 12-0 halftime advantage. Whittier had those two touchdowns back midway through the final quarter and nearly won the game in the last second. A blocked field goal attempt on the final play of regulation sent this one to OT.

In overtime a team gets four downs from the 10 yard line. New this year is that if a team scores, they must go for a two-point conversion.

In their overtime series, Ipswich ran Derek Chamberlain off right tackle three straight times. He reached the two yard line on the first, scored on the second, and was stopped short by Jake McCartney on the two-point conversion try. This put Ipswich up 18-12.

Justin Reyes catches a TD pass from Connor Bradley in overtime

In OT, Whittier fumbled the first snap and fortunately (for them) senior Sam King made the recovery. Next play QB Connor Bradley lofted a “jump ball” pass to leaper Justin Reyes over two defenders to tie the score.

On the game-deciding extra point, sophomore Jesus Sanchez swept right into the corner to win the game for Whittier. (Whittier had tried that same play after their first score in the third quarter and it had been stopped cold.)

Ipswich tallied on two straight possessions in the second quarter. Wingback Henry Sacco finished a 71-yard drive with a score from fifteen yards out for the first touchdown. Derek Chamberlain (eighty-six yards in fourteen carries) ended a 55-yard drive from nine yards rushing over right tackle to give Ipswich a 12-0 advantage.

Watching the two Tiger extra-point attempts I recalled a quote from Ipswich Coach Ted Flaherty in the Ipswich Chronicle – “We do some unusual things on special teams.” No sign of a center anywhere in either attempt. On one try the ball went back to reserve QB Eddie Flaherty and the other to QB Kyle Blomster. Both wanted to pass but a block and a sack ruined the attempts at trickery.

In that first half Whittier spent most of the time on defense. On offense they had a couple of first downs and never seriously threatened to score. They did try a couple of “jump ball” passes to Justin Reyes and Jaylin Deveau but couldn’t connect.

Ipswich failed to capitalize on their first possession in the third quarter and in my opinion this was the turning point in the game.

During that possession the Tigers had a long run (40+ yards) by Derek Chamberlain called back on a hold (Chris McCormack). The Tigers recovered from that setback when Kyle Barber broke loose for 23 yards and Wildcat Brandon Lyons added fifteen yards for a hit out of bounds.

Ipswich was now first and ten from the Whittier 17. They would reach the ten before getting a delay of game penalty and seeing Kyle Blomster’s 4th down pass sail over the head of Nate Glaster.

Jaylin Deveau (behind 83) finishes an 85-yard TD run in the third quarter

Turning point? You bet as Whittier took over and on the first play Jaylin Deveau cut through the line on the right and headed down the sidelines for an electrifying 85-yard score with 2:59 left in the third quarter. The extra point rush attempt by Jesus Sanchez failed but the momentum had swung to the Wildcats.

Next possession, early in the final quarter, Ipswich had Whittier pinned back at midfield with a 4th-and-16. However, defensive back Nate Glaster got caught watching the quarterback (Connor Bradley) as Brandon Lyons raced ten yards behind him. Connor’s pass was on target and Brandon scored easily to tie the score with 6:28 left.

Nate Glaster (hands raised) block extra point attempt

Ralph Francesconi’s kick attempt was blocked by Nate Glaster to keep the score tied at 12.

On their next possession, Tiger Kyle Barber tried (unsuccessfully) to pass instead of punt on fourth down and Whittier was able to take over on their own 46 with four minutes left.

They would get down to the Tiger five before a big defensive play by Andy Connor pushed the Wildcats back to the ten. Ralph Francesconi’s game-winning field goal attempt from there was blocked as time ran out.

Ipswich hosts Triton on Friday night (7PM) while Whittier will travel to Georgetown on Saturday afternoon (1PM).

Connor Bradley (eight of fourteen passes -142 yards) and Brandon Lyons connected on a touchdown pass in the Stoneham loss in the Whittier opener.

The acoustics at Whittier were excellent and the booming voice of Wildcat coach Kevin Bradley was hard to miss. His best material was directed at the officials – “Every time we have you it’s flag city.” He did seem to talk the officials out of a pass interference call in the final quarter.

My GPS is good but when the bridge across from West Newbury to Haverhill is closed things got interesting. I ended up taking a side trip almost to Building 19 to get across the Merrimac River.

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

Kyle Blomster hands off to Kyle Barber as Ben ONeil (63) leads the blocking

Jake McCartney (3) stops Derek Chamberlain (40) in two-point overtime try

Nate Glaster nearly scores over Doug Angus

Doug Angus tackles Nate Glaster

Derek Chamberlain (14 carries – 86 yards) breaks loose

Brandon Lyons beats Nate Glaster for a Wildcat TD

Derek Chamberlain scores in overtime

Strong finish gets Georgetown girls past Whittier (70-65) in the D4 North First Round

Christina Medley (27 points) and Kristin Hogan (23 points) were the scoring stars for Whittier and Georgetown

Royal celebration afterwards

(Haverhill) Plenty of excitement in this one.

After nine lead changes it was Georgetown breaking away in the last 2 ½ minutes to defeat Whittier, 70-65, in the first round of the D4 North tournament on Tuesday night at Whittier.

Neither team was shy about firing the long ones – there were eighteen 3’s made during the game – but the Royals won this one late from inside the arc.

A jumper from Ali Newbury (her first shot) put G’Town ahead 65-63. After a Whittier turnover, Kristin Hogan hit a driving layup from the left. Christina Medley answered with two free throws with 33 seconds left to cut the Royal lead to 67-65.

Kristin Hogan seals the win with free throws

Ten seconds later Marisa Agganis hit one of two free throws to extend Georgetown’s lead to 68-65 with twenty-three seconds to go. Whittier was still within one-possession range but Christina Medley missed a long three. After a Wildcat rebound and timeout Kendra Brasil was called for a double dribble. Kristin Hogan then put the game out of reach with two free throws.

Christina Medley (27 points) and Kristin Hogan (23 points) took every open shot that came their way and made plenty of them. Christina has scored over 1000 points for Whittier. In this one she hit five long ones and put up eighteen points in the back-and-forth second half. Kristin connected on four 3’s and tallied fourteen in the second half. In one sequence in the 4th quarter Kristin made a jump shot and almost immediately stole the inbounds pass and put in a layup. It was about the fastest four points you’ll ever see.

After an even first quarter (15-15) the Wildcats built up a ten-point lead (30-20) with Christina contributing a layup, a converted rebound and two free throws. Whittier was ahead, 32-24, at the half.

Whittier was still in good shape (38-31) after two minutes of the third quarter before Marisa Agganis and the Royal defense kicked in. Marisa hit a three and then three straight Wildcat turnovers led to Royal scores, two by Marisa and one by Kylie Troy. Suddenly, G’town had the lead (40-38) halfway through the third period.

Christina Medley heavily guarded as GHS coach Dave Tucker watches

Christina Medley had answers. She hit a jump shot, nailed a three (from Kendra Brasil) and set Kendra up for a long one. That was an eight-point run to now give Whittier the advantage, 46-40.

Georgetown capitalized on another Whittier turnover (they had twenty-two) very late in the 3rd quarter that gave Marisa a layup with two seconds left. Whittier led, 50-46, at the end of the quarter.

Kristin’s quick four points put Georgetown in front, 56-55, with 5 ½ to play. A Morgan Gott triple boosted the advantage to 62-58 with four to play. But back came Whittier on a three by Christina and two free throws from Catherine Roache to tie the game 63-63 with 2 ½ minutes left. The Royals made the big plays thereafter and came away with the tournament win.

Marisa Agganis (left) steal

Marisa Agganis was a Cape Ann League All-Star this season. She showed why in the second half of this game with fifteen points and numerous steals. She also took a pretty hard foul late in the game.

Kristin Hogan injured fingers on her shooting hand early in the third quarter. She was out of the game for a while. The rest may have helped her as she scored Georgetown’s first ten points in the final quarter in the first 2 ½ minutes.

Christina Medley made plenty of 3’s in pregame and continued the accuracy in the game itself.

Whittier staged a pregame light show. I thought I was at the TD North Garden…..well, not quite.

Georgetown plays #3 seed Fenway on Friday night at Burke High School in the D3 North quarter-finals.

Georgetown boxscore

Whittier boxscore

(The pictures above and below enlarge significantly if you click on them.)

pregame show

Morgan Gott (15 points)

Taylor Nelson

Andrea Terranova

Samnell Vonleh

Christina Medley

Kendra Brasil (15 points)

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Filed under Georgetown, Whittier

Tagged as Ali Newbury, Christina Medley, Georgetown High School, Kendra Brasil, Kristin Hogan, Marisa Agganis, Morgan Gott, Whittier Tech

January 8, 2012 · 10:00 pm

Whittier Tech (7-0) still undefeated after 62-57 win over Pentucket in boys basketball

Justin Reyes (26 points)

Will Angelini (26 points)

(Haverhill) Undefeated Whittier Tech (7-0) broke away from Pentucket (3-3) in the final three minutes and defeated the Sachems, 62-57, in a nonleague game at Whittier.

Pentucket lost despite having a nine-point lead in the first half and getting big numbers from Will Angelini (26 points) and Corey McNamara (21 points).

The remarkable thing about Will’s points is that he didn’t score any during the last 1 ½ quarters thanks to a concentrated Wildcat defense. With Will under control, Whittier’s scoring duo of Justin Reyes (26 points) and Ryan Grant (15 points) took over. Between them, the two juniors tallied seventeen of Whittier’s points in their final game-winning run (23-10) over the last twelve minutes.

I saw Ryan Grant last year when Pentucket won, 63-52. He’s a clever dribbler always looking for his shot or a chance to penetrate. He put seven points together and took the Wildcats from a 49-46 deficit late in the 3rd period to 53-53 tie 2 ½ minutes into the final quarter. His two free throws, three minutes later, gave Whittier the lead for good, 57-55.

Justin Reyes (6-3), kept the ball away from the dangerous Will Angelini over the final 1 ½ quarters, converted two rebounds, and took a steal in for a 3-point play down the stretch. The slender lefty put back three other rebounds successfully earlier in the game.

Corey McNamara (21 points) drives while the two coaches (Tom Sipsey & Leo Parent) watch

The Sachems became one-dimensional (Corey McNamara) late in the game. And it seemed that every time Corey had the ball he had multiple defenders flying at him. He put up nine points late but it just wasn’t enough to hold off the Wildcats.

Trailing, 61-57, with a minute left, the Sachems had at least three shot attempts to get closer before Justin Reyes got a rebound, was fouled, and scored the final point of the game.

Good crowd on hand to watch the unusual girl/boy double-header. The Pentucket girls won a close one in the first game.

The Whittier staff recovered nicely after having no rosters available at game time to provide them at halftime.

To say that Will Angelini (6-6) had it going in the first half is an understatement. The Wildcats were unable to defend his fall-away jumper in the lane area. The senior collected twenty points in a remarkable half of basketball.

Whittier Tech box score

Pentucket box score (Corey McNamara should total 21 points)

(The pictures above and below all enlarge if clicked on.)