Kameron St. Pierre caught fire in the third, scoring 16 of her game-high 23 points in the quarter, helping Taunton pull away for a win over Milford. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
TAUNTON, Mass. – When Taunton’s leading scorer, Kameron St. Pierre, was forced to the bench after picking up her third foul just 34 seconds into the second quarter of Friday night’s game at the Rabouin Field House, it felt like an opportunity for Milford to take control.
Instead, it was Taunton that turned things around and grabbed a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. The Tigers held Milford scoreless for more than six minutes and went into the locker room up by five. St. Pierre returned in the third quarter and promptly took over, scoring 16 of her game-high 23 to break the game wide open.
Taunton held ff Milford’s attempt at a fourth quarter comeback and earned the 53-36 victory, its second win in a row.
“Our kids have really understood who Kam is but they understand the pressure on her and trying to take it off of her,” said Taunton coach Amy Siggens. “Defensively, they’re stepping up. A little bit of everyone scoring a few points here or there always helps, especially when she’s sitting on the bench.”
The Hawks got off to a good start in the first, thanks to 10 points from Maddalena Mannucci Pacini. The Italian exchange student went 5-for-5 from the line and buried a deep three that put the Hawks ahead 10-4. St. Pierre assisted on a bucket for Abby Souza (four points and 10 rebounds) and then hit a three of her own to cut the lead down to two.
Emily Croteau (six points) answered with a steal and layup to make it 13-9, but Kyanna Barros knocked down a jumper just before the horn to make it a two-point game heading to the second.
After St. Pierre was forced to sit, the Tigers focused on locking down defensively and crashing the glass. Cali Melo (six points, five assists, and 10 rebounds) and Souza put pressure on Milford’s primary ball handlers, Pacini and Brooke Ferreira (six points), and the Hawks struggled to get any clean looks. After scoring 10 in the first quarter, Pacini would be held to a pair of free throws for the rest of the night.
“You’ve got to have the little things,” said Siggens about the play of Melo and Souza. “They can sneak in there and get some rebounds, but those two aren’t afraid to get in there and box out against the bigs. If we switch and they have to take on the six-foot kid they’re ready for the challenge and you have to have that kind of mentality.”
Olivia Gannon (12 points and seven rebounds) put Taunton ahead for good off an assist by Braeley McDonald. Khatrina Leger finally got Milford on the board in the second with a pair of free throws with a 1:51 left in the quarter and Ferreira got to the rim for two to cut the lead to 20-17, but Melo answered with a drive of her own to push the lead to five at the break.
“Kameron got three fouls and we were trying to hold them offensively but they did a good job, tip your cap to them because they played well,” Milford coach TJ Dolliver said. “I even put in Maddie and Brooke with two fouls to try and go on a run and unfortunately we just didn’t get it done.”
In the third quarter, it was time for St. Pierre to take over. A nice backdoor cut and feed from Souza got her started. She then scored twice off offensive rebounds, the second coming with a foul as well. A deep three from the wing got the Taunton bench on its feet, as the Tigers extended the lead to 34-19.
Croteau got three back at the other end, but Milford was held to just five points in the quarter. St. Pierre was still firing on all cylinders, driving to the basket for a series of tough finishes at the rim. Her 16-point burst in the third helped the Tigers open up a 20-point lead with eight minutes to play.
“Unfortunately, that’s been a general trend,” Dolliver said about Milford’s struggles on offense. “It just comes down to us needing to be able to finish around the rim and make some shots. I think what killed us is we had some really good looks and we couldn’t put them in and at the end of the day those five bunnies, high percentage shots, 10 points could be a big difference in this game.”
Credit to the Hawks, they didn’t go away quietly in the fourth. Maeve Driscoll knocked down a pair of threes and Ferreira added a third, as Milford got the lead down to 45-32. Gannon helped Taunton keep the visitors at arm’s length. She scored seven of her 12 points in the fourth, consistently finding space in the post and drawing fouls.
St. Pierre had one last moment as well, slicing into the lane and hitting a tough floater with a hand in her face to get the lead back to 16.
“She’s a lot of fun to watch,” Siggens said of St. Pierre. “She’s exploring her game and finding it and they’re all finding out how to work together and it’s been really, really exciting watching this whole thing go. It’s nice to see what the team is doing to support her and when she comes back in everyone’s flowing together.”
Taunton (3-9) will try to make it three straight wins when it travels to New Bedford on Sunday (weather permitting) before heading back into the league play on Tuesday against Foxboro. Milford (2-10) will host Burncoat on Monday before a trip to Stoughton on Tuesday.
Oliver Ames and North Attleboro will battle again this year in what should be another competitive Hockomock League season. Check out our team-by-team preview. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
2020-2021 Record: 9-4 Coach: Brianna Bracken
Attleboro finished second in the Kelley-Rex division last year and, despite only returning one starter, have an experienced corps that will be looking to push the Bombardiers back to postseason contention this season. There was a big change a few weeks ago when Marty Crowley stepped down as coach (after taking the athletic director job at Cumberland High) and former player and freshman coach Brianna Bracken was promoted to take over.
The change in coach won’t change the emphasis on defense and trying to use the roster’s athleticism to get easy baskets in transition. Attleboro’s lone returning starter is senior forward Meghan Gordon, who has improved every season on varsity and averaged nearly 17 points per game last year. Gordon will get help from classmates Lindsey Perry and Lillian Froio, who have both improved offensively and will help the Bombardiers take some of the pressure off Gordon on that end of the floor.
Injuries and transfers will have an impact as well. Senior Hailey Perry suffered a knee injury that will keep her out and last year’s freshman point guard Narissa Smith transferred to Rivers. Junior Lily Routhier has transferred in this year from Wheeler School and will help out on the boards. Sophomores Kayla Goldrick and Rylie Camacho will add to the Attleboro attack after getting experience as freshmen and senior Avery Vieira and sophomore Sarah Maher will try to fill Perry’s role in the backcourt. Sophomore Merry Bosh and Molly Moore and freshman Vanessa Ellis have had impressive preseasons as well.
“We have a great mix of experience and youth,” said Bracken. “We are excited about what lies ahead. Practices have been intense and the kids have been working really hard.”
2020-2021 Record: 7-5 Coach: James Choquette
Canton could be poised for a big season with a mix of talented underclassmen and an experienced group of seniors who have played together on varsity for four years. The Bulldogs went 7-5 in the shortened 2020-21 season, but expectations are higher this winter, with hopes of challenging the top teams in the Davenport and putting together a playoff run.
Kiara Cerrutiis the team’s top returning scorer and the senior winger will be counted on to provide scoring punch with her mix of inside-outside skills. Fay Gallery is back to run the point for the Bulldogs, getting the team out in transition and finding ways to create good looks for teammates in the halfcourt. Sydney Gallery is also back to give Canton a strong post presence and scoring inside the arc. The three players combined to average 38 points per game last season and give the Bulldogs a strong foundation to build on and help spread the floor for a team that has the potential to be one of the top shooting teams in the league.
Marissa Staffiere and Carly Fitzgerald return to help run the point and give strong defensive effort in the backcourt and junior Samya DaSilva has stepped in to add another versatile weapon on the offensive end. If the Bulldogs can continue to improve defensively, they have the firepower to compete with anyone. Offensively, it will be about ball movement and making sure the ball doesn’t stick on the perimeter.
“Our program continues to grow and improve,” said Canton coach Jim Choquette. “With a strong senior class and a great group of underclassmen, we hope to improve each day we’re in the gym together and achieve the results we desire. Everyone knows how hard it is to win, but this group is willing to do whatever it takes and we’re so excited to see how this season unfolds.”
2020-2021 Record: 9-2 Coach: Lisa Downs
Foxboro had its four-year reign at the top of the Davenport division come to an end last season, as the Warriors came second to Oliver Ames. With a relatively young roster, Foxboro improved over the course of the shortened season and seemed to be peaking as it headed into what would have been the second half of a normal winter. The hope for this season is that those younger players will build on that experience to make another title challenge and playoff run.
With the graduation of the league’s leading scorer, Katelyn Mollica, the Warriors will have a lot of points to make up but have several players capable of taking on bigger roles this year. Senior forward Hannah Blake could help provide some of that scoring with her solid post-up game and mid-range jumper. Sophomore guards Erin Foley and Camryn Collins both had impressive rookie campaigns and showed versatile offensive games and both are aggressive and athletic defenders, who fit into Foxboro’s typical style.
Senior Andrea Slattery and junior Lauren Miley are under-sized forwards but both bring a lot of energy and aggression to the defensive end and hitting the glass. Freshmen Kaley Sullivan and Ava Hill will jump right into the varsity lineup this season and both could be ready to make instant impacts. Juniors Michelle Brandt and Maddie Maher and sophomore Isabelle Chamberlin will give the Warriors plenty of depth to call on this season, especially with their effort on the defensive end.
“Although we are young and have new faces, I am excited to see the potential and look forward to seeing the improvement every time they step onto the court,” said Foxboro coach Lisa Downs.
2020-2021 Record: 10-0 Coach: John Leighton
Franklin returns eight players, including six seniors, from last year’s team, which extended the Panthers’ win streak to 35 games and clinched a third straight Kelley-Rex division title. The Panthers will be leaning on that experience as they seek to continue their reign at the top of the league and defend the Div. 1 state title that they won in 2019-20.
Senior forward Olivia Quinn will be the focal point of the Franklin offense this year after leading the team in scoring last winter and emerging as one of the top players in the Hock over the past two years. The reigning Kelley-Rex MVP will have plenty of help, particularly in the paint. While Franklin doesn’t have someone with Ali Brigham’s size, the Panthers have seven players on their roster that are listed at 5-foot-9 or taller. Senior Brigid Earley was the team’s leading rebounder last year and junior Katie Peterson is an athletic forward with a versatile game. Senior Emma Sousa is another experienced forward that gives depth in the post.
On the perimeter, Franklin has graduated a lot of its ball-handlers and shooters but senior Stefany Padula, a Springfield College-commit, is back and will help stretch the floor. Junior Bridget Leo is coming off a strong soccer season and could step in at point guard along with seniors Julia White and Jessica Pingeton, who saw some time last year. Sophomore guard Sasha Tracey is the lone underclassman on the roster this season.
“I am very excited to get back on the court with this team,” said Franklin coach John Leighton. “There is a lot of work ahead of us but there has also been many glimpses of what we could develop into. We have a very strong senior class who has set the bar high for the team. We hope to develop into a close-knit, supportive team that can win in different ways and also play defense that will limit our opponents’ options.”
2020-2021 Record: 5-6 Coach: Jeff Miszkiewicz
There is going to be a transition period for King Philip this season, as the Warriors will be moving from former head coach Dan Nagle’s unique, non-stop pressure, quick-shot system to a new system brought in by first-year coach Jeff Miszkiewicz (who comes from LaSalle Academy in Rhode Island). With seven returning players, including five seniors, the Warriors should have the experience to adjust to the new style and be in the mix in the Kelley-Rex division.
Junior Emily Sawyer will be a major weapon for the Warriors on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-3 center may be the biggest beneficiary of a change in system and is poised for a breakout year in the paint. Her classmate Jackie Bonner will move into a starting role this season, with her ability to create instant offense and be a pest on the defensive side of the game.
Seniors Liv Lafond, Julia Marsden, and Elizabeth Molla also project to be starters for the Warriors this season. All three are versatile wings that can space the floor and attack in transition. Lafond may be the best off-the-dribble player for KP this season and her ability to get into the paint and create will be key. Marsden is a smart player who always seems to be in the right spot and a solid scorer at the rim or out on the perimeter. Molla is a knockdown shooter from the outside and can punish teams that sink down into the paint to guard Sawyer or prevent driving lanes.
“The team plays really hard and is very coachable,” said Miszkiewicz. “I think that’s why we have seen so much improvement over the first week of practice. You’ll see us take full advantage of our athleticism on both offense and defense. We’re going to be a fun team to watch.”
2020-2021 Record: 9-4 Coach: Heather McPherson
Mansfield closed out the shortened 2020-21 season with five straight wins and will hope to keep that momentum rolling into this winter, although the Hornets will need a lot of players to step into bigger roles. Six seniors graduated from last year’s team, including the bulk of the team’s frontcourt and two of its three leading scorers. New players will need the early part of the season to adjust to the pace of the varsity level.
The Hornets will be hoping that junior guard Abby Wager’s growing offensive game will allow her to improve on the nine points per game she averaged as a sophomore. Senior Anna Darlington brings tenacity on defense and will make it tough for teams to get into their half court sets. Seniors Kayla Doherty and Sophia Allen will also need to add experience to a lineup that is growing into the season.
Junior guard Olivia Salisbury and sophomore forward Kara Santos are going to be stepping up from utility roles into core pieces of the Mansfield offense this season. Salisbury has good vision and can create chances for teammates, while Santos will be a threat in the paint, making up for some of the size that graduated from last year’s team.
“After a shortened season under my belt I feel confident in the adjustments that the girls have made into a slightly different system than previous years,” said second-year Mansfield coach Heather McPherson. “We are emphasizing good fundamental defense and hoping that we can use it to create transition offense.”
2020-2021 Record: 3-8 Coach: TJ Dolliver
Milford ended last season with three wins in its final five games, building a little momentum that the Hawks are going to hope can get them off to a good start this winter. There will be a lot of changes from last year’s squad, as Milford graduated seven players, including a few four-year members of the team, so there may be some growing pains as new faces adjust to a new level.
Four seniors return to add experience and leadership to this year’s team. Guards Jess Douglas, Olivia Morelli, and Aubrey Korpi, and forward Jill Araujo are all back and will give Milford a foundation to build around. With so many new faces in the team this year, head coach TJ Dolliver will be leaning on his upperclassmen to help the younger players adjust, as the coaches work through the best way to utilize everyone’s skills on the court.
Junior forward Emily Croteau and guard Brooke Ferreira will be key players as well. The team’s top two returning scorers, Croteau and Ferreira will have to take on bigger roles this year and may be asked to carry a lot of the scoring punch. A three-year starter at point guard, Ferreira is the team’s top ball-handler and will be expected to get the Hawks into their sets while also looking for her own shot. An undersized forward, Croteau gives the team energy and rebounding, keeping possessions alive and getting chances thanks to her work rate.
“We are making a lot of changes this season,” Dolliver said. “It will be very important how we approach practice in regards to how successful we are this season. We have a lot of potential and I am excited to see where it goes.”
2020-2021 Record: 4-9 Coach: Nikki Correia
North Attleboro had a tough finish to the 2020-21 season, losing five straight to close it out, but all five were against teams with winning records, including two against division champ Oliver Ames. With a full season ahead, North has two of its top scorers back and has added more size in the frontcourt to try and make a postseason push.
The two key returning players will be senior Summer Doherty and junior Ava McKeon. The two aggressive guards give North extra energy on both ends of the floor and push the Rocketeers into the transition game that head coach Nikki Correia prefers. Their defensive effort will be critical for North this season. Senior forward Taylor McMath has improved each year and adds scoring in the paint and is an aggressive rebounder on both ends.
Size hasn’t been a strength for North the past few seasons but freshman Maryellen Charette will be an important addition in the paint. Despite being just a rookie, Charette has shown good footwork with back to the basket and is a strong rebounder. Sam Sweeney is the other freshman on the roster, while North has seven seniors on the roster to provide necessary experience for the younger players.
“I am looking forward to this season with a full schedule and many returning players, so lots of familiarity with each other and playing more under control and trusting each other more,” said Correia. “They are already showing more confidence and being in the right spots, running the offense, and letting the game come to them instead of forcing it.”
2020-2021 Record: 10-0 Coach: Laney Clement-Holbrook
Oliver Ames finished unbeaten and won the Davenport division title last season, but the Tigers will be disappointed to have missed out on a potentially deep tournament run. Coming into this year, expectations remain high with a good mix of experienced players and youth that will be getting their first taste of a full Hockomock League campaign.
Senior guard Caroline Peper is a four-year starter for the Tigers and has always been one of the league’s top long-range shooters, but continues adding to her game and her scoring will be critical. Senior Hailey Bourne is another four-year regular and one of the top defensive players in the league, capable of guarding multiple positions. Their leadership will be a key to OA’s success this winter. Senior forward Anna Murphy has improved each year and has a solid all-around game, making an impact on both ends of the floor, and junior guard Maddie Homer is a quick, tenacious defender and her improved offensive game will be important.
In addition to the more experienced players, OA is excited about the potential of the trio of sophomores who made cameos last year. Forwards Jasmyn Cooper, Kaydance Derba, and Sarah Hilliard all had good rookie seasons that gave a taste of their capabilities. Cooper and Hilliard provide size and scoring in the paint and both are excellent rebounders. Derba also has good size to be a tough matchup on the defensive end and is a dangerous three-point shooter who can stretch the floor.
“The Hockomock League, as always brings its share of tough competition, which will help us better prepare for the new standards established for the power rankings needed for the state tournament,” said OA coach Laney Clement-Holbrook. “The thing that I am most proud of is the fact that my players have worked tirelessly to improve themselves as players and we are ready to give it our best fight.”
2020-2021 Record: 1-10 Coach: Sandy Lombardi
It is hard to predict what type of season this will be for Sharon because the Eagles will be incorporating so many new faces and many of the players will be experiencing their first full season on varsity. After one win in 2020-21, the Eagles return only one senior on this year’s roster, so there is the potential to spring a few surprises on teams this season.
Trinity Payne is the lone senior for the Eagles. The four-year varsity player is a strong defensive presence and can control the glass, especially on the defensive end. Sharon coach Sandy Lombardi is looking for more offensive punch from Payne this season. Junior point guard Tess Lentendre returns after missing a few games last winter. A leader in the backcourt, Letendre is a three-year varsity player and will help control things on the offensive end.
The rest of the starting five for Sharon will be sophomores. Rachel Hager and Eva Poulton both saw time on varsity last season and play out on the wings. Jasmine Davis didn’t play last year but will start at center and should give Sharon extra size in the middle and should be a force on both ends of the court. Junior forward Emily Freeman is back from last year, but the rest of the Sharon roster are newcomers to the varsity team, although Lombardi is expecting good contributions from the bench.
“The girls have been working hard,” Lombardi said. “We are excited for the season and hopefully we can make some noise in the Hock this year.”
2020-2021 Record: 1-9 Coach: Charmaine Steele Jordan
Last year was a little bit of a transition season for Stoughton, as the Black Knights graduated a lot from a team that was a win away from tournament qualification. An inexperienced Stoughton roster had some growing pains in 2020-21, but with five seniors this year head coach Charmaine Steele Jordan is hoping that last year will set a foundation for this year’s team to build on.
Senior Jess Maddalena is an important returning player for Stoughton. After missing her junior season to an injury, Maddalena will give the Black Knights additional scoring and depth on the wing. Senior guard Kate Bulger will be back to run the offense and provide strong perimeter defense. Senior Vanessa Philemond adds athleticism, energy, and rebounding and her length can be a weapon on both ends of the floor.
In addition to their three captains, the Black Knights will also be hoping for big seasons and lots of leadership from senior guards Makaiyah Singleton Rivera and Evie Lam. Stoughton also has three sophomores, Katrina Varnum, Alyssa Edwards, and Maiya Merritt, and freshman Raina Tat, who will be handling their first full season of varsity basketball this season.
“It’s so good to be back on the hardwood to compete this season,” said Steele Jordan. “We will continue to play hard on both ends of the court this season. I am looking forward to the five seniors taking charge and setting the pace for us. We will play tough, be gritty, and battle until the final buzzer sounds each night in the Hock.”
2020-2021 Record: 0-10 Coach: Amy Siggens
Taunton coach Amy Siggens is in her third year in charge of the program (and second season on the sidelines after not coaching last winter) and she will have a very different looking roster to the one that she first inherited. The Tigers graduated six seniors from last year’s team and there will be a lot of untested players getting their first taste of varsity action this season.
There is excitement about the return of junior guard Kameron St. Pierre. After a breakout rookie season in which she averaged more than 14 points per game, St. Pierre sat out last winter and will be back to carry a heavy load for the Taunton offense. The lefty point guard will get the Tigers into their sets and her long-range shooting should open the floor for teammates.
In addition to St. Pierre, the Tigers will have a host of guards to rotate through. Seniors Braeley McDonald, Kyanna Barros, and Abby Souza will give the Tigers plenty of energy on both ends of the floor and could benefit from the attention paid to St. Pierre to get decent looks from the perimeter. Sophomores Cali Melo and Lexi Haywood also have experience at the varsity level. Inside, Taunton will have several new faces but senior forward Olivia Gannon and junior Sayla DePina bring some size in the paint.
“As we look toward the beginning of this basketball season, caution and patience are the words that ring true for us,” said Siggens. “Baptism under fire is an appropriate description for our girls this season but with enthusiasm, hard work, and a commitment to improving, we have a chance to be competitive in a typically demanding Hockomock League.”
Boys Basketball
Stoughton, 47 @ Mansfield, 70 – Final – Mansfield closed the third quarter on a 10-2 and never looked back in a win over Stoughton in a non-league crossover clash. The Black Knights, who had a a 12-9 lead at the end of the first quarter, made it a four-point game when senior Jake Queeney (11 points) scored five straight points to cut the deficit to 40-36 with under four minutes to go in the third. Jack Colby, who recorded a career-high 19 points to go along with eight rebounds, started the run with a hustle play on the offensive glass and capped it with a bucket through contact with under a minute to go as the Hornets staked a 50-38 lead going into the fourth. Mansfield’s offense had its way in the final frame with 23 points. Matt Boen added 16 assists, seven steals, five assists, and four rebounds for the Hornets, senior Brendan Foley chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds, and junior Chris Hill finished with nine points. Four players scored in double figures for the Knights, with Brett Pendenza (12 points, five rebounds), KC Ugwuakazi (10 points, 10 rebounds), and Connor Andrews (10 points, five rebounds) joining Queeney.
Girls Basketball
Taunton, 38 @ Attleboro, 64 – Final – Nine Attleboro players got on the scoresheet as the Bombardiers clinched second place in the Kelley-Rex division. Meghan Gordon scored a game-high 16 points and Narissa Smith added 11. Emma Reilly chipped in with eight points and Kayla Goldrick provided and impact on both ends of the floor. Jaelyn Fernandez topped Taunton with 13 points and Sonya Fernandez scored 10. Kyanna Barros added four for the Tigers. It was a five-point game after one quarter (14-9) but Attleboro hit another gear in the second, outscoring Taunton 25-6 to break the game wide open.
Foxboro, 58 @ Canton, 46 – Final – Foxboro opened the second half with an 8-0 run, doubling its lead in the process, and never looked back in a win on the road over Canton. Foxboro’s slim (13-10) lead after eight minutes grew to 25-17 by the halftime break, and its strong start to the third quarter pushed the advantage to 16 and the Warriors never surrendered their advantage, carrying a 42-26 lead into the fourth. Junior Dylan Gordon scored 15 of his 17 points in the middle quarters while sophomore Alex Penders recorded 13 of his 17 points in the second half. Sam Golub had a strong night from downtown, hitting four three-pointers for 12 points for the Warriors. Eric Mischler led Canton with 13 points while classmate Ryan Connerney added 12 points.
Milford, 32 @ Attleboro, 59 – Final – Attleboro’s defense limited the visiting Scarlet Hawks to single digits in the scoring column in each of the four quarters to earn a big win. The Bombardiers held a 10-7 lead after one quarter of action but had a successful second quarter on both ends of the court to seize a 28-16 halftime lead. Junior Evan Houle set a new career-high with 20 points, including 14 points in the first half. Houle added two more threes in the third as the Bombardiers saw their lead balloon to 41-23. Sophomore Trevor White added 12 points in the win.
Girls Basketball
Attleboro, 71 @ Taunton, 49 – Final – It was just a four-point game after one, but Attleboro used a 22-8 second quarter to break it open and pick up the road win. Meghan Gordon had a monster game for the Bombardiers with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Emma Reilly chipped in with 15 and freshman point guard Narissa Smith added seven points and eight assists. Sonya Fernandez had a big game for the Tigers, scoring 21 points in the loss. Kristy Gorman and Kyanna Barros both scored six points for Taunton.
North Attleboro, 37 @ Oliver Ames, 65 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. With the win, OA clinched at least a share of the Davenport division title. The Tigers can now win it outright with a victory in either of its final two games. Caroline Peper paced OA with 15 points and five steals and Kelsey Yelle added 10 points. The Tigers also got great performances from their trio of freshmen – Kaydance Derba (10 points and five rebounds), Sarah Hilliard (nine points and five rebounds), and Jasmyn Cooper (six points, eight rebounds, and five assists). OA used a 14-2 to grab a nine-point lead after one and then scored 20 in the second quarter to lead by 20 at halftime. North got no closer than 17 points in the second half. The Rocketeers were shorthanded with leading scorer Amanda Kaiser among the players out on Wednesday, but Ava McKeon picked up the scoring slack with a team-high 14, including seven in the first. Cailyn Maxcy added 10 points and Taylor McMath had six.
Milford, 39 @ Sharon, 33 – Final
Boys Hockey
Attleboro @ Taunton, 6:00
Canton, 5 @ Foxboro, 1 – Final
Oliver Ames, 0 @ North Attleboro, 7 – Final
Girls Hockey
King Philip, 4 @ Canton, 2 – Final – King Philip goalie Mallory Johnston made 24 saves as the Warriors snapped Canton’s 19-game unbeaten streak, dating back to January 2020. KP took a 1-0 lead in the first period and added two more in the second period to build a 3-1 lead. Avari Maxwell had two goals for KP while Kelly Holmes and Sydney O’Shea each had a goal and two assists in the win.
Swimming
Oliver Ames @ North Attleboro
Gymnastics
King Philip @ Taunton, 8:30
Oliver Ames vs. Attleboro, 7:30 (Virtual)
Attleboro vs. Mansfield, 7:30 (Virtual)
Oliver Ames vs. Mansfield, 7:30 (Virtual)
Milford senior Emma Lawrence drives to the basket for two of her game-high 16 points in the Hawks’ win at Taunton. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
TAUNTON, Mass. – It may have been a cold, snowy drive down 495, but when Milford stepped onto the court for Tuesday night’s game at the Rabouin Field House its offense clicked right into top gear.
Three Hawks scored in double digits and Milford rolled to a 58-39 victory. It was not only the first win of the season for Milford, but also the team’s first league win since the final game of the 2017-18 regular season. It was also nearly 20 points better than the previous top scoring night for the Hawks this season.
“Obviously I’m very excited and I’m happy that the girls are able to experience this because we haven’t had a Hockomock win in a while,” said Milford coach TJ Dolliver. “I’m just happy for the girls, we didn’t even know if we would be here. I have a lot of seniors and I’m happy that we’re here and I’m happy that we’re doing this.”
Although the game wouldn’t end the way that Taunton wanted, the Tigers did have a special moment at the opening tip. Senior guard Kelsey White, who injured her knee last winter and is a non-playing member of this year’s team, was able to celebrate senior night by registering her first minute and her first two points of the season.
“It was awesome,” said Taunton assistant Jenna Olem. “She’s such a great kid to have around the program and the fact that she still wants to be a part of this is really, really special.
Milford came right back with an 8-0 run to take a lead it would never relinquish. Taunton answered with a 6-0 run to tie the game, including a three by Kyanna Barros, but Emma Lawrence (16 points and six rebounds) nailed a three on the other end to restore the lead and Emily Croteau turned a steal into a layup for a 13-8 advantage after one.
The Hawks were just getting started offensively, scoring the next seven points and putting up 20 points total in the second to extend the lead to double digits by halftime.
Lawrence had back-to-back steals where she was able to race past the Taunton players for layups and Brooke Ferreira buried a three to make it 20-8. The Tigers tried to hang around behind senior forward Sonya Fernandez (15 points). She scored 11 of her team’s 13 points in the second (the other two coming on free throws by her sister Jaelyn Fernandez) and knocked down three from beyond the arc.
“She was a big difference tonight,” said Olem, who is filling in on the bench for head coach Amy Siggens this season. “She kind of kept us in the game to begin with, we just couldn’t get a stop for the life of us.”
Milford’s balanced attack proved too much for Taunton to handle. Croteau continued to make plays. She took a Katie Maietta feed and was able to score plus the foul. She missed the free throw, but chased down the rebound and went back up for what was essentially a four-point play. Croteau finished with eight points and eight rebounds.
“Emily rebounds the ball like crazy,” said Dolliver. “She’s our leading rebounder on the year. She does such a good job. My assistant coach made this comment the last couple games, when Emily is on the court you just know because she makes a difference one way or the other.”
Carly Ferreira (nine points and seven rebounds) also hit a big three in the quarter to push the lead up to 15 and Milford went into the break ahead 33-21.
Taunton came out for the second half and tried to get back into the game, cutting the lead to as little as nine points, but the Hawks continued to answer the bell every time they needed a big basket. Jaelyn Fernandez hit Maddie Michenzi for a layup to make it 35-26, but a 12-2 run put Milford in control.
Brooke Ferreira followed her own shot and hit a short jumper to start things. Jillian Michelson (10 points) took an outlet pass from Ashanty Barreto and got a layup and then knocked down a triple off a Lawrence skip pass. Ferreira nailed a corner three, one of six threes for the Hawks on the night, and it was 47-28 heading to the fourth.
The Tigers kept coming. Kristy Gorman had a three-point play after an offensive rebound and Izabella Russell hit a pair of runners high off the glass, but Taunton was never able to get the lead any lower than 14.
“It was tough to get stops tonight,” said Olem, who acknowledged the team is still building after the late start to the winter. “They were pretty much shooting the lights out. Every time we could get back in the game, we could never cut that deficit close enough to really make it a game.”
Croteau drove baseline and had a nice feed to Carly Ferreira for a short jumper and then Ferreira knocked down a stepback jumper to keep the Tigers at arm’s length. Lawrence went end-to-end for a layup and Croteau capped things with another offensive rebound and put-back.
“We don’t exactly play from ahead very often so I told them at the beginning of the fourth quarter, by no means is this game over but you can take your time a little bit,” Dolliver explained. “It would inch closer, but then we would come down and get a big bucket and those were from some of our experienced players.”
Milford (1-6) and Taunton (0-3) will meet again on Thursday night in Milford.
Taunton sophomore Sonya Fernandez scored 18 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to help the Tigers beat New Bedford and end the regular season with a second straight win. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
TAUNTON, Mass. – Taunton went into halftime of Wednesday night’s season finale trailing New Bedford by two but the Tigers stormed out of the locker rooms for the second straight game and took control. They opened the second half with a 23-3 run and pushed the lead as high as 18 in the third quarter.
The Whalers did not lie down and came right back with a 16-5 run and twice got the Taunton lead down to four points in the final quarter, but the Tigers held onto their lead and pulled out a 62-54 victory, giving Taunton back-to-back wins to end the season.
“We’re so young tonight because we’re missing so many of our starters,” said Taunton coach Walter Harrigan. “We panicked a little bit when we got up by 18, thought we were going to have an easy fourth quarter but give New Bedford credit they had a good effort to get back in it. I thought our young kids were pretty resilient at the end.”
Although neither team will be heading to the playoffs this year, and despite Taunton missing three starters, the game got off to a fast pace. Both offenses clicked into gear and both teams were using high pressure on the ball to try and create transition opportunities.
Senior Alexa White scored the game’s first five points, but New Bedford stayed close behind nine points from Andrea Segura (14 points). Jaelyn Fernandez (nine points) also got off to a strong start for the Tigers, scoring seven points in the first, including a basket off an Abby Souza (11 points) assist that tied the game 17-17 after one.
The second quarter slowed down considerably. Sonya Fernandez grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to make it 21-19 after more than four minutes were gone in the second. After New Bedford tied it, Taunton went on a 5-0 run, including a steal and layup by White and a jumper by Thalia Nogueira.
New Bedford came right back with a 7-0 run of its own and hit a jumper with the clock winding down to go into halftime ahead 28-26.
Everything worked for the Tigers in the third quarter. The defense was forcing turnovers left and right and the offense was making shots. Taunton turned the game on its head and pulled away for what seemed like an insurmountable lead.
Harrigan said, “It was a pretty nice quarter and we had the same thing last night at Durfee. We were down 12 at the half and we just started to move the ball much better. With some of the young kids, we can’t put in as much of the offense right now, so we’re running a lot of basic things but they did a lot of things right tonight.”
White got it started with a transition basket off of a Souza pass and then Souza got a steal and layup of her own. White drilled a three after Kyanna Barros kept the possession alive with an offensive rebound and then Barros grabbed another board and finished to put Taunton up seven.
After a New Bedford basket, Sonya Fernandez took the ball to the basket and then Souza drained a three. White turned a steal into an easy basket, Fernandez got a layup off a Barros pass, and then Nogueira set up Souza for a basket with a rebound and scoop pass in traffic.
Taunton had the chance to put the game away but the Whalers got some hope from Monica Eires (17 points), who hit the third of her five three-pointers. In the fourth quarter, New Bedford rallied behind four points from Segura and a pair of threes from Eires.
White (18 points and five assists) scored off a Braeley MacDonald assist to push the lead back to six points and then Fernandez (18 points and 12 rebounds) showed strength in the post to answer another basket by the visitors. A pair of free throws by Fernandez and another layup for White sealed the victory and gave the Tigers a positive end to the season.
“We sometimes force a little bit and the last couple games we’ve been more disciplined,” said Harrigan. “We did some good things against a tough New Bedford team.” When asked about winning on back-to-back nights to close the season, he added, “Especially for the younger kids and the ones moving up, it’s good to see it.”
Boys Basketball
Canton, 65 vs. Bishop Feehan, 59 – Final – Canton scored 20 points in each the second and third quarters, the latter helping the Bulldogs build a double-digit lead heading into the final quarter. Bishop Feehan made a late push but the Bulldogs were able to hold the lead they built. The Shamrocks led 16-13 after one but Canton led 34-30 at half, and 54-38 going into the fourth. Senior Devin Foster scored a game-high 27 points and junior Kyle Fitzgerald added 10 of his 17 points in the third quarter.
Foxboro, 50 vs. Boston Latin, 48 – Final – For the second straight game, Foxboro hit a buzzer-beating three to get a win. This time, it was senior Anthony Mollica (10 points) hitting a triple off a feed from Brandon Borde (eight points) to give the Warriors a win. Boston Latin led 42-39 heading into the fourth, and extended that lead to 46-39 with five minutes to go. Foxboro was able to hold Boston Latin to just six points in the final quarter, finishing the game with a 11-2 run. Sophomore Kevin Gallagher had a team-high 15 points while junior Ryan Hughes added 11 points.
King Philip, 79 @ Dartmouth, 59 – Final – King Philip scored 23 points in each the first and second quarters, building a 46-32 lead by halftime, and never looked back to grab the win. Senior Bruce Saintilus had a team-high 22 points, junior Alex Fritz netted 21 points, and senior Tyler Nault dropped a career-high 15 points for the Warriors.
Oliver Ames, 69 @ Walpole, 41 – Final – Oliver Ames outscored Walpole 22-8 in the second quarter to create a large lead at halftime that it never relinquished. The Tigers led 15-11 after eight minutes but then exploded for 22 points to go up 37-18 at the break. Eight different players scored in the second for OA, with Sean O’Brien, Owen Friel, and Michael Greene each connecting on a three. Ethan Eckstrom had a team-high 17 points for the Tigers, which had 13 players score. Ryan Burkett added eight points and Amari Brown finished with seven points.
Foxboro, 61 vs. Hoosac Valley, 48 – Final – Chelsea Gibbons scored a career-high 26 points to help Foxboro retain the title at the Warrior Classic and put the defending state champs in position to be the top seed in Div. 2 South again this season. Katelyn Mollica added 18 points for the Warriors and Lizzy Davis shut down Hoosac Valley’s top scorer, holding her to only five points.
Stoughton, 56 vs. Brockton, 49 – Final – Stoughton closed out its old gym with a non-league victory. Aliyah Wright scored 13 points and Sydnee Hyacinthe added 12 as the Black Knights ended the season on a high note. Lexi Baptista also chipped in with nine points off the bench.
Taunton, 65 @ Durfee, 51 – Final – Taunton trailed by 11 at half but exploded for 44 second half points to stun Durfee. The Hilltoppers led 33-21 after 16 minutes of play before the Tigers rallied to grab the win. Sonya Fernandez scored a team-high 18 points, Alexa White added 13 points, Jaelyn Fernandez had 12 points, Kyanna Barros chipped in with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Abby Souza scored nine for the Tigers.
Boys Hockey
Canton, 3 vs. Boston Latin, 2 – Final (OT) – Canton junior Johnny Hagan netted the tying goal and then scored the game-winner in overtime for the Bulldogs. Hagan scored with 1:16 left in the game to help the Bulldogs salvage a tie for MIAA purposes, staying unbeaten on season. For Joe Quinn Memorial Tournament purposes, the game went into 4-on-4 overtime and Hagan tipped in a shot from Jack Connolly to get the win and advance to the finals on Thursday at 7:30.
Stoughton, 1 vs. Nauset, 5 – Final – Stoughton goalie Thomas McCoy had an outstanding goal in net but the Black Knights lost to visiting Nauset. McCoy turned away 32 shots for Stoughton while Sean Doherty scored the goal on an assist from Luke Bainton.
