Rockers, Mystics And Monarchs Turn In Winning Efforts
Cougars and Jayhawks post Intermediate Division wins.
(Editor's Note: The following information was provided by coaches and administrators from the Tewksbury Girls Basketball League.)
JUNIOR DIVISION
ROCKERS 10 SPARKS 8
The Rockers were able to get their first win of the season this past Saturday against a very well matched Sparks team. The Rockers won their game with a long jump shot at the final buzzer by Jocelyn Stavros. The team was very excited about this big win. The game was more about the defense then the offense and was lead by Amanda Clarke who played outstanding by allowing no one to score in her zone. Jacquelyn Marchant, Hannah Maffeo and Bianca Araya all played very well on defense. Scoring was lead by Jocelyn Stavros (4), Sarah Constantino (4) and Sarah Bishop (2).
MYSTICS 16, LYNX 8
The Mighty Mystics came out against a very large and very skilled Lynx team that played a great game against us. After last weeks scoring drought early in that game, they wanted to come out with high energy and were able to go into halftime with a 10-4 advantage. In the 3rd quarter the Lynx played great defense and they were able to hold the Mystics scoreless for the quarter but still had the slim 10-8 lead. The 4th quarter the Mystics stepped up and scored 6 points in the quarter to seal the win.
The Lynx fell to a very talented and well coached team on Saturday. The 1st quarter was marred by several turnovers committed by the Lynx. After the 1st the Lynx righted the ship and fought hard the rest of the game to mount a comeback but in the end fell short. In the last 2 minutes of the game the Lynx started making some nice passes led by Jessica Caredeo which seemed to get the offense clicking. Hopefully this rhythm will continue into the next game. Scoring for the Lynx were Carolyn Versackas with 4 and Emily Woods, and Lily Wyatt with 2 each. Leading rebounder was Lily with 8. Kendall Donahoe led the team in steals with 3.
MONARCHS 10 STORM 4
The Monarchs have lost a couple very close games this season and they were expecting another tough challenge as they prepared to face the Storm. Sarah Ciampa, Sydney Quinn, Helen Johnson, and Amber Cullinan carried the ball over half court and sparked the offense with a patient passing game. Sarah also chipped in for 2 points while playing outstanding defense to keep the Storm shooters out of the scoring zones. Inside the paint the Monarchs made things tough for the Storm. Giovanna Frisella had several steals and fought for rebounds on both ends with the help of Justine Forti and Emma Crawson. Haley Mignon was played a great all around game with 2 points, multiple rebounds, and stealing the ball. The real story though was Erin Briley who had a breakout game with 6 points, plenty of rebounds, and just made herself a real force while she was one the floor. The Monarchs were thrilled to come away with the win in another close matchup.
Team Storm lost another close one, this time to the Monarchs, 10 to 4. It was a very exciting game that was dominated by two stifling defenses. Bailey Carter, Stephanie Graffeo, and Sammy Salvaggio were key components of the Storms defensive intensity constantly bothering the Monarchs talented guard combinations. Christine Santos and Devyn Veits continue to be key contributors on both sides of the court. Ashley Turri had the unenviable task of neutralizing the Monarchs key low post players on the boards. Stefanie Cunningham saw her first extensive time at center and had a great game. She clogged the middle on defense and presented as a quality opointion down low on offense. Stefanie Lemus tied the ball up for several key changes of possession. Jessica Cacciola was her usual self, constantly hawking the ball and adding another basket to her portfolio. The highlight of the game however was turned in by guard Brigh Cote. Brigh is the driving force behind the Storms ferocious defense and has attacked the basket on breakaways all season. She scored her first basket on a put back rebound to keep the Storm in the game.
COMETS 16 STARZZ 3
It was all hands on deck today as we faced the mighty Starzz in a hard fought defensive game! Rachel Conway, our defensive player of the game, had her best game this season as she came up with steals as we pressured the Starzz ball handlers. Lizzie Gallella(2) and Erin Gallella(4) both had effective ball handling getting their teammates involved and also intercepointed many passes that turned into fast breaks. Bridget Burgoyne came up with a critical loose ball and was able to get possession as a result of her efforts. Emily Langone(4) and Michaela Svendsen(4) both collected several rebounds for their team at both ends of the court. Caitlin Panessiti had many good shots on net and getting her own rebound, kepoint putting it back up, but it just wouldn't drop! Felicia Ragucci and Allison Couillard(2) kepoint tremendous pressure on the ball while on defense, keeping with the Starzz fast paced offense throughout the game. Leanne Durham's strength comes out more and more every week as today she had several good shots on net and collected key rebounds for the team!
Team Starzz went up against the Comets for the first time and gave the crowd their money's worth. Defense was the focus and we kepoint them to a season low on points. If we could just get some of those shots to fall we would have made it closer. Defensive player of the game, Sophia Alfano. Congrats to Rachel Figucia, Devyn MacEachern and Sophia Alfano, who got voted in by the parents, players and coaches to the All Star Game. As I told the whole team, all of the girls are All Stars in my book.
INTERMEDIATE DIVISON
COUGARS 16, TERRIERS 10
The Cougars came out against a tough Terriers team and played a nail bitter of a game. the Terriors led most of the game but the Cougars defense was able to keep the score close until the offense started to kick in. The Cougars came back in the 4th quarter to score 10 points and put the game away. Now we look ahead to our next opponent, the Falcons. Both teams are coming off big wins and this should be a great game. We will continue to work hard this week to improve and we will be ready for them.
Scoring for the Terriers were Alexis Brinklow with 4 points, and Michelle Tenaglia, Meagan Timmins, Felicia St. Cyr, all with 2 points each.
JAYHAWKS 14 WAVES 11
The Jayhawks entered a defensive struggle with a talented Waves team in week 7, and squeaked out a win. The Jayhawks started out very slow, having trouble getting to the basket. The teams went back and forth all game trading baskets. In the second half, the Jayhawks fell behind even with some great plays and great hustle. The Waves defense was taking us out of our game. But the girls rallied back in the fourth quarter for the win, showing great heart and determination. It was a great game by both teams. Sam Powers, Haley Marchant, and Ari Nicosia pulled down some important rebounds for us – too many to count. Emily Saunders, Andrea Doran, and Emily Burns took some great shots that sometimes helped others score – Good job girls – keep putting them up, they will fall!! High scorers were Meg Brackiska with 6 points, Kacie Ellegood with 4 points, Haley Pozzuto with 2 points, and Nicole Petherbridge with 2 points. Defensive player of the game was Chelsey Pellegrino.
The Waves played their best game of the year, but in the end it was not enough to overcome the undefeated Jayhawks. The team defense played by the Waves was incredible, holding the Jayhawks to their lowest point total of the season. The Waves actually had a chance to take the lead with less than a minute left in the game, but multiple shots would not fall. Scoring for the Waves was Kirsten Dick with 4 points, 2 points each for Elizabeth Markwarth, Colleen MacNeil, and Alicia Moore, and one point for Melissa Markwarth. Colleen MacNeil’s basket was a half court swish to end the first half in a tie. Defensive player of the game was Amanda Ford. Also playing terrific games for the Waves was Erika Whynot, Amy Glover, Lauren Riccardi, Christina Noyes, and Tayla LeGrand.
WILDCATS 30 EAGLES 16
Great game against the Eagles! Audrey Casey started us off with the first hoop but we fell behind the Eagles the first half. Ally Kelly brought some new energy to the game for the second half and the Wildcats took off. Danielle Carrigg played a great defensive game and Rebacca Politis and Teagan Trant (scoring 4 points) really played the court well. Superman Katie Dunlevy was the leading with steals and 6points. On her tail were Heather Doyle, Teagan, and Julia Kelly with 4, Audrey, Erin Davis, Ally Kelly, Shauna Danehy, and Janina Kennedy adding another 2 each. Great D all around!
Scoring for the Eagles were Marissa Doherty and Adrianna Favreau, with 6 points each, and Katie Adelsberger and Megan Donahue with 2 points each.
HUSKIES 28 CARDINALS 25
The Huskies played a great game against a very strong Cardinals team. Victoria Mirabito, Nicole Lucia, Andrea DeFina and Karalyn Gallella all scored key baskets for the Huskies. Kiley Barrett, Sara Latourneau and Lisa Devito played solid defense underneath the basket. Steffanie Deluca-Gifford played a great game in the middle with great defense and rebounding. Kayla Marshall and Stephanie McHatton pressed the Cardinal guards all game and forced some turnovers. Defensive player of the game was Kayla Marshall
The Cardinals and the Huskies met in a battle for 3rd place. It was a hard fought game from start to finish. The action was back and forth with the Cardinals leading by 3 after 1, and leading by 5 points at the end of the 3rd. However the Huskie attack in the end was enough to battle back and net the victory. Defensive players of the game for the Cardinals were Sam Mercurio and Julia Noone. Sam notched several steals on the day and played great defense against the Huskie center on the fast break and Julia battled hard for rebounds and loose balls the entire game. Scoring for the Cardinals was Emily Velozo with 14 (6 for 14 from the floor!), Sam with 4, Caitlin Carroll with 3, and Caroline Ferrari and Olivia Powers with 2 each. Shannon Vasas led the team with 5 rebounds. The Cardinals hope to bounce back next week after two consecutive losses.
FALCONS 19, WOLVERINES 12
The Falcons got off to a slow start scoring only 4 points in the first half. The second half was much different as pressure defense and great shooting helped the Falcons score 15 points in the second half led by Brittany Fletcher with 7 points, Francesca Cocca with 6, and Amanda Aylward with 4. Defense was led by Casia Burns, Casey Wise, and Sydney Burlamachi.
Scoring for the Wolverines were Katie Garcia with 4 points, and Sarah Murray, Rebecca Lewis, Nora Butler, and Rachel Langone, all with 2 points each.
SENIOR DIVISION
MAGIC 31 SONICS 22
The Magic were able to hold off the feisty Sonics team and pick up their 6th win of the season and sole possession of 1st place in the senior division. Offensively the Magic got big contributions from Nichole Hamel (10points) who was virtually unstoppable in the paint and Kelly Quigley (8points) whose outside shooting was particularly good. Overall the Magic played well at both ends of the floor particularly Meaghan Blaisdell (4points) at point guard and Olivia Gallella (3points) at defense. Eva Barinelli (4points) and Michelle Creedon (2points) contributed with key baskets and are on the verge of a breakout game offensively. Rachel Eatherton continued to set great screens and box out every Sonic player in the post. Samantha Teague and Alexsay Zemetres continue to play great defense and control the boards rounding out a good performance from all of the Magic players.
The Sonics put up a good fight against a fast Magic team. Toni Joy was top scorer with 9 points and Shannon Smith followed her with 8 points. Alexis Chaet and Jenn Cobuccio chipped in with 2 points each. Kenzie Wyatt picked up a point at the foul line. The Sonics moved and passed the ball well getting off lots of nice shots but most of the time the ball would not drop in. The Sonics D played well over all making the Magic really work for all 32 points.. Kathleen Silk did a great job of keeping the Magic out of the paint and Marissa Conlin was key in causing many turnovers earning them both defensive players of the game. Monica Aronson did a great job of keeping the ball out of the key. Nice try Sonics!!!
PACERS 20 JAZZ 11
The Pacers played well enough to win this battle of undermanned teams coming out on top 20 to 11.
Haley Acconcia & Mackenzie Pierce led the scoring with 8 points apiece while Colleen Kelly, 2points. and Erin Walsh 2points. rounded out the scoring. Rachel Kelleher, Jenn Maddaleni and Danielle Newhall also played well for the Pacers coming away with several steals and key rebounds to help seal the victory. Rachel Kelleher was named Defensive Player of the Game.
Scoring for the Jazz was Shannon Semenza with 11 points.
SPURS 40 BLAZERS 22
Ashley Colbert and Haley Golini led the team in scoring with 20 points between the two. Leanne Lozowski and Kelsie Bradley had a huge games both on offense and defense. Danielle Moulton and Devlin Frost were tough on defense all game. June Garcia and Shannon McLaughlin had a great day on the boards each had multiple rebounds.
High scorers for the Spurs were Ashley Colbert (12) Haley Golini( 8), Leanne Lozowski (6 )and Kelsie Bradley (6). Defensive player of the game was Leanne Lozowski.
Scoring for the Blazers were Ally Braciska (8) Brooke Patterson (6), Ariana Calouro (4) and Ashley Kelly (4).
