Tag: Kayla Albert

2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview
By HockomockSports.com Staff

2021 Hockomock Girls Lacrosse Preview

EDITOR’S NOTE: Only teams that responded to HockomockSports.com with information regarding their team and the upcoming season are listed in this year’s preview.

Attleboro

2019 Record: 3-16
2019 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Chrissy Quinn

A program that is still developing, Attleboro will be looking for its first league win since 2018 when things get started this spring and the Bombardiers are looking to combine returning players with exciting newcomers to compete with the teams in the Kelley-Rex.

2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Senior Hannah Webster and Isabella Salviati are the most experienced attackers on the roster and the Bombardiers will hope that the addition of sophomore Jordan Mooney and freshman Molly Moore will add a different dimension to the offense. Mooney and Moore have already scored half the team’s goals this season. Defensively, senior Carlie Jamieson and juniors Avery Vieira and Ally Haigh are the returning players who give Attleboro a good foundation. Sophomore Ella Stromfors is a newcomer that will give Attleboro depth in defense. Senior Maggie Porecca is back between the pipes this spring and has been busy in the early going with 35 saves in the opening three games.

“We have a lot of potential that we need to work hard to build on this season,” said Attleboro coach Chrissy Quinn. “It is very important that we set our own goals as a team, rather than worry so much about the score at the end of the game. The most important thing is that we continue to stay healthy, remain positive, and celebrate small victories!”

Canton

2019 Record: 5-11
2019 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Dani Aquino

Canton struggled in 2019, missing out on the postseason, but it was a season of transition with a lot of young players getting their first taste of varsity action. Although they’ve had to wait two years to use that experience, those players are now the core of a Bulldogs team that is looking to make a push up the standings under first-year head coach Dani Aquino.

2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Junior midfielder Allie McCabe is a leader on both ends of the field and will be a key part of Canton’s transition game. Junior Tess Khoury will step into a bigger role in the defensive unit with sophomore Erin Beatty making her debut as the starting goalie. Juniors Fay (attack) and Sydney Gallery (defense) will also play more prominent roles this spring with sophomore Emily McCabe stepping in to add energy in the midfield. Senior Kayla Albert is a versatile attacker, who can take advantage of her size to give defenders issues near the cage, and junior Carly Fitzgerald can create scoring chances with her athleticism and tenacity. Sophomore Ella Yeaton and freshman Devan Spinale are exciting additions to the midfield, adding extra speed and creativity in the attack.

“Our outlook this season is to be competitive,” said Aquino. “I want to put up a fight for those crossover Kelly-Rex teams that we play, while taking away necessary lessons and walk off the field better than we walked on. My focus as a coach with this program to conquer the basics and ‘Master the things we can control.’”




Foxboro

2019 Record: 16-8
2019 Finish: Reached Div. 2 State Semifinal
Coach: Kathleen McCullough

The defending Div. 2 East champions have a lot of new faces, including on the bench where former Medfield coach Kathleen McCullough has taken over from (new Mansfield coach) Brittany Sherry, but the expectations don’t change for a program that has dominated the Davenport division, winning the league title in each of the past eight seasons. While the Warriors get to know each other and their new coach, they will still be looking to keep the run of title going this season.

2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Foxboro is going to lean on several returning players who had key roles in winning the program’s first sectional title two years ago. Senior midfielder Ella Waryas can control things on both ends of the field and senior attacker Lilly Vey had a breakout sophomore season and is the team’s top returning scorer. Junior Kate Collins joins Vey and Waryas as captains this season and can play as either a midfielder or defender. The Warriors are reloading with a strong sophomore class as well. There are seven sophomores on the roster this season (and also four freshmen), including Paige Curran, Mia Dinunzio, Jenny Gallagher, Maddie Maher, Dylan Rappoli, Grace Riley, and Mya Waryas.

“We are going in with a clean slate and looking at each team as a new team and opportunity to grow and learn,” said McCullough. “We will focus on our game and daily improvement. I look forward to working with this group and having a great season.”

Franklin

2019 Record: 20-3
2019 Finish: Reached Div. 1 East Semifinal
Coach: Kristin Igoe Guarino

It may have been two years since Franklin last took the field, but the Panthers will have a lot of familiar names on the roster this season and the same set of expectations. Franklin has not lost a league game since 2012 and won the last eight Kelley-Rex division titles (sharing the title with King Philip in 2012). Heading into this spring, even with only three seniors on the roster, the Panthers will be favorites to bring home the league crown yet again.

After missing a lot of 2019 with an injury, senior Katie Jones is ready to lead the attack, while classmate Sydney Hawkins will be the leader in the defensive zone. Junior midfielders Kenzie Baker, Kate O’Rourke, Jackie O’Neil, and Stella Regan were all part of an impressive freshman group that stepped right into the lineup two years ago and are part of a dynamic group that could score a lot of goals this season. Newcomers include sophomores Kaitlyn Carney, Katie Peterson, Lindsay Atkinson, and Jamie Tanner, who just add to the abundance of attacking and midfield options that Franklin boasts. Junior Brigid Earley has taken over in goal and impressed with her athleticism.

“Once we start meshing, I think we will be a very strong team,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igo Guarino. “Offensively, any group of seven players who is in has the potential to be a threat, either as a dodger, feeder or cutter. This group is very dynamic in their stick skill and game sense. Defensively, we are athletic and have some solid leadership.”

King Philip

2019 Record: 12-8
2019 Finish: Reached Div. 1 East Quarterfinal
Coach: Kourtnie Wilder

King Philip is the last team other than Franklin to win a Kelley-Rex division title and the Warriors enter this spring hoping to end the seven-year reign for the Panthers. After two years off, KP returns an experienced group, especially on the defensive side, as it gets ready to challenge for a league championship.

Seniors Peyton Mellman and Caroline Pasquantonio will provide leadership for the Warriors this season and will be counting on a strong junior class to live up to the potential it showed in 2019. Julia Marsden, Lily Brown, Haley Izydorczak, and Colleen Crowther all saw ample playing time as freshmen and will now be expected to take the step up to be regular contributors. Head coach Kourtnie Wilder is hoping that the experience in the defensive end will make the Warriors tough to score against and has three goalies vying for the starting role. On offense, Wilder thinks the Warriors will be “crafty and aggressive.”

Wilder said, “We are excited to be back out on the field and finally playing together again. We have a great group of hard-working student-athletes that are dedicated and eager to get the season started.”

Mansfield

2019 Record: 11-8
2019 Finish: Reached Div. 1 East First Round
Coach: Brittany Sherry

Former Foxboro coach Brittany Sherry will finally get her first season on the sideline at Mansfield and will be getting her first chance to work with a Hornets roster that saw a lot of turnover from two years ago. A couple of exciting newcomers and experience along the back line have Sherry confident that the Hornets can get back to the level that saw them win 11 games in 2019.

2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

The defensive side will be bolstered by senior Melissa Shanteler, who adds aggression to the back line. Juniors Gabriella Geminiani, Grace Bertolino, and Kayla Doherty will provide depth in defense, while sophomore Caitlin Zajac will get the start in goal in her first varsity season. Seniors Grace Danehy and AnnMarie McCoy provide size on the draws and versatility in the attack. A couple of newcomers will give Mansfield an added boost of playmaking, as sophomore attacker Ava Adam and freshman midfielder Lola Varrichione have the potential to create a lot of goals this spring.

“We’re definitely rusty but the girls are putting in the work to get back to where they were two years ago,” said Sherry.




Milford

2019 Record: 6-12
2019 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Nicole Culhane

Milford is making the move to the Kelley-Rex division this spring and the Hawks will be hoping that its returning players will be up to the challenge of a new season. There were positive signs in the opening game of the spring, as the Hawks were right in the game with Sharon.

Defense has the potential to be a strength for the Hawks this year with an experienced and athletic group coming back from the 2019 season. Seniors Jillian Michelson, Eva Parsons, and Katie Maietta will lead the team from the back and push the team into the transition as well. Junior midfielder Aislinn Bennett got playing time as a freshman two years ago and now she is looking to step into a bigger role on both ends of the field. Sophomore midfielders Emily Croteau and Carly Haley are newcomers to the varsity roster and will give an added boost of energy and creativity in the attack.

“Our team is growing stronger and stronger every day and it is a truly wonderful thing to witness as their coach,” said Milford coach Nicole Culhane. “I have so much faith in them and I know they are capable of surprising themselves with how much they can accomplish.”

Oliver Ames

2019 Record: 5-13
2019 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Gen Rogan

Oliver Ames is making the move to the Davenport division this season and will be looking to jump right into the mix and be competitive with the top teams. The Tigers will hope to make a leap under first-year head coach Gen Rogan, who is very familiar with the league and the competition having been an all-star at Foxboro.

2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

The Tigers enter the season with nine seniors and six juniors on the roster, so experience shouldn’t be an issue. Seniors Emilee Nuss and Liliana Lozano will be the leaders on the defensive end, locking the opposition down in front of senior Emma O’Donnell or junior Jess Widdop, two vocal and quick goalies that OA can count on. Senior Emma Pereira will patrol the midfield, helping out on the defensive side and then pushing the Tigers forward into the attack. Freshman Taylor McAndrew is a newcomer who could make an instant impact this spring and provide a scoring boost. Versatility and balance will be important as Rogan is hoping that a lot of players will be able to chip in and add to the OA attack.

“I think this season will be a good test to our ability to stay tough and fight through some hard battles,” Rogan said. “We play in a very competitive league, but I have no doubt that this team is up to the challenge and will be exciting to watch this season.”

Sharon

2019 Record: 12-9
2019 Finish: Reached Div. 1 East First Round
Coach: Shara Ginthwain

Sharon has developed into a program that consistently gets into playoff contention, battling for the second spot in the Davenport division and looking to take the next step to put pressure on perennial league power Foxboro. The Eagles will a few seasoned veterans coming back this spring, but also a lot of newcomers and building that connection on the field will be a key early in this shortened season.

Senior Jenna Goldstein has been a standout in each of her first two seasons on varsity and will have a much bigger role this year, as the team’s primary playmaker. Senior Cass Barbera will lead the attacking unit and her combination with Goldstein will be a key to Sharon’s offensive output. Junior Athena Merck and freshman Anna Hertzel are newcomers that will add a different dimension to the attack. Senior Molly McAlevey is moving into the midfield this season to provide extra speed and athleticism. At the back, seniors Abby Hoffman, Amelia Scappaticci, and Carly Romanow give Sharon an experienced defensive unit in front of new goalie sophomore Tess Letendre.

“We are so excited to have the opportunity to play together this season,” said Sharon coach Shara Ginthwain. “We really look forward to developing team chemistry as the season progresses, as this is the first time many of these girls have played together at this level.”

Taunton

2019 Record: 8-9
2019 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Kerry Northup

Taunton was on the brink of a playoff spot in 2019, coming up just one win shy of qualifying for the postseason and have several players returning, especially in the midfield, to compete with the top teams in the Kelley-Rex division.

Senior Alana Tavares is the centerpiece of the Taunton midfield. The reigning league MVP and HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year has put up big numbers in her first three seasons and the Marist-commit will be counted on to produce a lot of offense again this spring. Senior Anastasia Lajoie joins Tavares in the midfield. Committed to the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Lajoie is another dynamic attacker who gives the Tigers a lot of energy at both ends of the field. Other seniors returning this season include Madison Vigliotti, Rosemary McGrath, Rebecca Berry, and Tori DaRosa. Junior Emily Gannon is back in goal and will be a vocal presence on the defensive side of the ball.

“We are very excited to be back out on the lacrosse field,” said Taunton coach Kerry Northup. “However successful we are with our record this year, we are just happy to be able to get out there again and play the game we love.”

2021 Hockomock League Girls Lacrosse Preview

Monday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 05/10/21

Today’s games are listed below.

Baseball
Taunton, 5 @ Attleboro, 3 – Final (9 Inn.) – Senior Ty Cali drove in a pair of runs for the Tigers, including the game-winning run in the top of the ninth as Taunton moved to 2-0 on the season. Tied 2-2 through seven innings, the teams traded runs in the eighth inning before Taunton was able to keep the lead for good in the ninth. Cali tripled in the go-ahead run and then came in to score an insurance run on a single from Braden Sullivan (2-for-3, walk). Danny MacDougall struck out six in 4.1 innings of work, allowing five hits and four walks with just one earned allowed. Sophomore Ryan MacDougall earned his first career win in a relief appearance, striking out one in two innings of work with no earned runs allowed.

Stoughton, 7 @ Canton, 9 – Final – Canton scored all of its runs between two innings, including a five-run sixth inning to erase a three-run deficit and earn a win. Stoughton claimed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first but the Bulldogs battled back with four in the bottom half to jump ahead. Stoughton added three runs in the third, two more in the fourth, and one in the sixth to stake a 7-4 lead but the Bulldogs answered once again to retake the lead. Sawyer Julier-Albert (two runs, walk, RBI) and Andrew Middleton (run, two RBI) each had two hits for Canton, who totaled nine as a team. Steven Burbank and Zach Peters also drove in a run in the win. Matt Quan picked up the win in relief, allowing one run with one strikeout and two hits allowed in 3.2 innings of work. For Stoughton, Brady Conlin had four strikeouts, allowing seven earned on nine hits in a complete game effort. At the plate, Conlin went 4-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Jake Queeney (run, two RBI), Kyle Doolin (two runs), and Hunter Malkin each had two hits for Stoughton.

Sharon, 7 @ Foxboro, 2 – Final – Sharon freshman Luke Meixel had a memorable debut for the Eagles, tossing a complete game with just two runs allowed on two hits and two walks to lead the Eagles to a win over Foxboro. Meixel had just one earned run allowed while striking out three. JD Rittenberg paced the offense for the Eagles, who blew open a 1-1 game with six runs in the top of the sixth. Rittenberg had three hits, two RBI, and scored two runs while Justin Brown added two hits, an RBI, and a run scored. Tom Marcucella and Sean O’Leary each had a hit and a run scored for Foxboro.

Milford, 3 @ Franklin, 13 – Final – Sophomore Alfred Mucciarone earned a win in his debut on the mound for the Panthers, allowing just two runs on five hits and three walks, striking out five in four innings of work for Franklin. Ethan Voellmicke (three strikeouts) and James Kuczmiec (two strikeouts) each tossed a scoreless inning in relief. Ben Jarosz led the offensive charge with three hits, including a pair of doubles, drove in two runs, and scored once himself. Ryan Gerety (two runs, RBI), Jack Marino (two doubles, two RBI, three runs), and Eisig Chin (two runs, RBI) each had two hits for Franklin.

Mansfield @ King Philip – Postponed to Wednesday, 5/12 at 3:45.

North Attleboro @ Oliver Ames – Postponed to Wednesday, 5/12 at 3:45.










Softball
Attleboro, 2 @ Taunton, 4 – Final – Taunton senior Kelsey White struck out 16 batters and the Tigers held off a late-rally from the Bombardiers to win at home. Taunton scored once in each the first and third innings and tacked on two more in the bottom of the fifth. White allowed two runs, both coming in the top of the seventh, on three hits and two walks, but closed the door shut to preserve the win. Taunton had just three hits on the day but took advantage of five walks and two Bombardier errors. Hanna Aldrich had an RBI and scored a run, White helped her own cause with an RBI, and Kyleah Plumb had a hit and a run scored in the win. In the top of the seventh, Brenna Morse drew a walk and Lora Woyton singled to put two on. Freshman Rylie Camacho smashed a two-run triple to bring the tying run to the plate but Taunton was able to close it out. AHS head coach Mark Homer credited Hailey Perry (shortstop) and Kayla Goldrick (third base) for strong defensive plays to keep Attleboro close. Woyton pitched a complete game, allowing just three hits and five walks.

Foxboro, 14 @ Sharon, 4 – Final – Foxboro exploded for eight runs in the top of the sixth inning, turning a close game into a big win on the road against the Eagles. Foxboro belted out 18 hits as a team, led by senior Morgan Sylvestre’s five-hit day. Sylvestre hit one home run and three doubles, driving in four runs in the process and scoring twice. Peyton Feldman added four hits out of the leadoff spot, including one double and one triple, and scored all four times. Nicole Theriault and Kaylee Bruce each added three hits and eighth-grader Emma Callahan helped her own cause with two hits. In the circle, Callahan tossed a complete game for her second win, scattering eight hits while striking out eight. Trinity Payne struck out nine and went 2-for-4 in the loss. Sharon also got three hits from Julia Earley and two from Penny Rabatsky.

Franklin @ Milford – Postponed to Wednesday, 5/12 at 3:45.

Canton, 5 @ Stoughton, 12 – Final – Stoughton picked up its first win of the season with a win at home over neighboring Canton. Senior Julia Driscoll led the offensive charge for the Black Knights with two hits, driving in three runs. Junior Sydney Menz (two doubles) and freshman Julie Powers each had two hits for the hosts, freshman Alyssa Edwards recorded her first hit and scored two runs, and seniors Sarah McGrath and Nicole Baker each had a hit on the day. Baker earned the win in the circle for the Knights, scattering seven hits while striking out nine.

King Philip, 7 @ Mansfield, 0 – Final – The Hornets tried to mount a rally in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs and the top of the order due up but KP sophomore catcher Sarah Cullen picked off a runner at third ended the game. Cullen was the star of the game, going 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored, recording a double and a triple. She also reached a fourth time after being hit by a pitch and finished with two RBI for KP. The Warriors scored once in the first, three in the third, two in the fourth, and added one more in the sixth. Charlotte Raymond added three hits, including a pair of doubles, and two RBI while sophomore Libby Walsh smashed a two-run triple and had a strong game defensively (two putouts, four assists). Mansfield recorded five hits as a team, including two from Jill Koppy and one each from Olivia Madeira, Molly Kucharski, and Nicole Kobasa.

Oliver Ames, 0 @ North Attleboro, 10 – Final – Zoey McDonough allowed a bunt single and a walk, but then retired the next 18 batters that she faced to earn her first career win and shutout. McDonough finished with 12 strikeouts and helped her own cause with three hits and four RBI. Kelly Colleran continued her hot start at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a walk, two triples, and a solo homer. Emily Nardelli, Belle Clarkin, and Ally Levine each had two hits for North. For OA, Maddie Homer (stolen base) and Grace Simone each recorded a hit.




Boys Lacrosse
Mansfield, 9 @ Canton, 11 – Final

Sharon, 1 @ Franklin, 21 – Final – Franklin had 11 players find the back of the net in a big win over visiting Sharon. Sophomore Jayden Consigli led the charge with seven goals and one assist while classmate Luke Davis scored four goals and had one assist.

North Attleboro @ Oliver Ames – Postponed to Thursday, 5/13 at 3:45.

Girls Lacrosse
Attleboro, 8 @ Taunton, 16 – Final – Taunton dominated at the draw, leading to a big win over visiting Attleboro. The Tigers won 22 of the 28 draws while both Alana Tavares (two assists) and Tasia Lajoie recorded seven goals. Rosemary McGrath added a pair of goals and an assist while Cali Melo had two helpers. Emily Gannon made 10 saves in the win for the Tigers.

Mansfield, 10 @ Canton, 11 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Canton jumped out to an 8-2 lead early in the second half, but the Hornets rallied with eight of the game’s final 11 goals and the Bulldogs needed to win the final draw with just 50 seconds to play to hold on for the win. Canton led 3-2 after the first quarter, thanks to a pair of goals from Ella Yeaton and one from Kayla Albert. Lola Varricchione and Grace Danehy got on the board for the visitors. The Bulldogs broke the game open in the second and led 7-2 at halftime. Devan Spinale, Carly Fitzgerald, Emily McCabe, and Yeaton tallied for the home team, and then Allie McCabe scored off a turnover early in the third quarter to build the lead to six. Mansfield rallied with four straight to get back in the game. Lauren Clark scored three of the four and Ava Adams added the other, but Sierra Abbott stopped the run with 12.1 on the clock to send Canton into the fourth up 9-6. Spinale added her second (both with low-angle, backhand shots) a minute into the final quarter. AnnMarie McCoy scored back-to-back goals, but Abbott answered with her second of the night. Danehy got her second just 30 seconds later and then Adams made it a one-goal game with 49.9 on the clock. Canton controlled the draw and ran the ball down to the far corner, winding down the clock for its second win.

Sharon, 4 @ Franklin, 23 – Final – Franklin defended its home turf against visiting Sharon as 13 players found the back of the net for the Panthers. Katie Ryan, Maura Cogavin, and Emma Sousa each scored their first varsity goal in the win.

Oliver Ames @ North Attleboro – Postponed to Thursday, 5/13 at 3:45.




Boys Tennis
Attleboro, 4 @ Taunton, 1 – Final – Attleboro won a pair of matches in singles action and picked up two more in doubles play to get a win on the road over Taunton. Evan Sousa earned a 6-4, 7-5 win at second singles while Matt Lortes picked up a 6-1, 6-0 win at third singles. The team of Alejandro Jimenez and Kevin Rebelo prevailed with a 6-3, 6-4 win at first doubles while Kyle Neuendorf and Tyler Rocchio secured a 6-0, 6-0 win at second doubles. Taunton’s Michael Kimmer won a long battle at first singles, 5-7, 6-4, 11-9.

Canton, 4 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final – Canton freshman Max Kupferman prevailed in three sets in a well-played match at second singles to help the Bulldogs secure a win on the road. Kupferman prevailed 6-1, 6-7 (8-10), 6-2 at second singles while Minh Duong scored a 6-1, 6-0 win at third singles. The team of Ethan Nguyen and Jalen Townsend didn’t drop a game in a 6-0, 6-0 win at first doubles while Elias Jabbour and Charlie Doody teamed up for a 6-4, 6-2 win at second doubles. Stoughton’s Waseem Sablon earned a 6-3, 6-2 win in an excellent match at first singles.

Foxboro, 0 @ Sharon, 5 – Final

Franklin, 5 @ Milford, 0 – Final – Franklin went on the road and won all five matches in straight sets over Milford. Liam Marr picked up a 6-0, 6-1 win at first singles, Vayshnav Malhotra didn’t drop a game in a 6-0, 6-0 win at second singles, and Drew Mahoney earned a 6-0, 6-2 win at third singles. The team of Anish Gundimeda and Sameen Shaik took home a 6-0, 6-1 decision at first doubles while Thomas Broyles and Jay Gorgas notched a 6-1, 6-1 win at second doubles.

King Philip, 0 @ Mansfield, 5 – Final – It was a clean sweep for the Hornets, winning all five matches at home against visiting King Philip. Kailash Elumelai prevailed with a 6-2, 6-4 win at first singles, Dheeraj Valluru won 6-0, 6-1 at second singles, and Benson Delaney picked up a 6-1, 6-1 win at third singles. The team of Kai Schirmacher and Nikhil Lankipalle secured a 6-3, 6-0 win at first doubles, and the team of Jonah Fine and Adam Elsner walked away with a 6-2, 6-4 win at second doubles.

Oliver Ames, 0 @ North Attleboro, 5 – Final – North Attleboro started division play off with a win over visiting Oliver Ames, winning all five matches in straight sets. Jonah Manso didn’t drop a game in a 6-0, 6-0 win at first singles, Sam Gallagher took a 6-0, 6-1 decision at second singles, and Will Folan won 6-3, 6-1 at third singles. Connor Willis and Sayf Siddiq won 6-0, 6-0 at first doubles while Brody Carter and Niteesh Saraanan won 6-0, 6-1 at second doubles.




Girls Tennis
Taunton, 2 @ Attleboro, 3 – Final – Attleboro picked up a pair of wins from doubles action and then added a key win in singles play to edge out visiting Taunton. Lauren Anthony prevailed 6-2, 6-2 at second singles for the Bombarders while the teams of Rachel Rainey and Saharla Yusuf (first doubles, 6-5, 7-6 (7-5)) and Emma Pion and Tina Lam (second doubles, 7-5, 6-2) each won to help the match win. Taunton’s Jocelyn Pagliuca won 6-3, 6-1 at first singles while Cayeesha Charles won 6-2, 6-3 at third singles for the Tigers.

Stoughton, 2 @ Canton, 3 – Final – Canton won two matches in singles action and added one win from doubles play to edge out visiting Stoughton. Rachel Kupferman didn’t drop a game in a 6-0, 6-0 win at first singles and Laura Correal earned a 6-2, 6-1 win at second singles. The team of Lily Hazam and Olivia Durham picked up a 6-0, 6-3 win at first doubles for the Bulldogs. Stoughton’s Allie Lada won 6-1, 6-1 at third singles while the team of Nadia Prokopiuk and Lynn Le earned a 4-6, 6-0, 10-6 win at second doubles.

Sharon, 2 @ Foxboro, 3 – Final – Foxboro’s Sarah Prag emerged with a three-set win at third singles to secure the winning point in the Warriors’ 3-2 win over Sharon. Athena Li (first singles) and Pam Nelson (second singles) each won 6-0, 6-0 to give Foxboro two points while Sharon’s Anjali Jha and Julia Zelevinsky (first doubles, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-3)) and the team of Tanvi Mittal and Sasha Fein (second doubles, 6-2, 6-0) each won to give the Eagles two points. Prag dropped the first set but rallied to win the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to get the win.

Milford, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final

Mansfield @ King Philip, 3:45

North Attleboro, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 1 – Final – It was a clean sweep in singles action for the visiting Rocketeers, who also added a win from doubles action to beat Oliver Ames. Junior Charlotte Moynihan earned a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 win at first singles, senior Haley Strom won 6-2, 6-3 at second singles, and freshman Lauren Hunt grabbed her first win with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win at third singles. The team of juniors Lauren Consentino and Kyna Sha won 6-1, 6-3 at first doubles for North. Oliver Ames’ Morgan Vasiliou and Caroline Peper picked up a 6-0, 6-0 win at second doubles.

Wrestling
Franklin, 18 @ Stoughton, 14 – Final
Oliver Ames, 45 @ Mansfield, 25 – Final

Boys Volleyball
Greater New Bedford Voke, 0 @ Taunton, 3 – Final – Taunton defended home court with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-12) sweep over visiting Greater New Bedford. Tyler Stewart had a big game for the Tigers with 17 kills, eight blocks, and five digs. Mattos Casagrande added seven kills, two aces, and a block while Faisal Mass chipped in with two kills and four blocks. Daniel Medina added two blocks and two aces to go along with his 29 assists while Travis Nunes played well in the back row.

Millis, 0 @ Milford, 3 – Final

Foxboro Pulls Away in Overtime to Win at Canton

Foxboro Girls Basketball
Freshman Camryn Collins knocked down a clutch overtime three to help Foxboro beat Canton on the road. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Josh PerryFollowJoshPerry


CANTON, Mass. – Leading by six in the closing minutes, the Foxboro offense suddenly went cold. The Warriors slowed the game down to run the clock and things stalled on that end of the court, allowing Canton to rally and send Thursday night’s game into overtime.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

For the first two minutes of OT, it remained a struggle to score and a Fay Gallery free throw put the Bulldogs in front 54-53. When the Warriors needed it most, the offense clicked back into gear, closing the game on an 11-0 run, including a clutch three by freshman Camryn Collins with Foxboro leading by just a point, to finish league play with a 64-54 road win.

“We did what we needed to do against a great team,” said Foxboro coach Lisa Downs. “To end against a team like that and to know that we got progressively better over the course of the season is really rewarding.”

Foxboro entered the fourth quarter leading by two and threatened to pull away after Jordyn Collins (10 points and seven rebounds) got an easy bucket off an assist by Andrea Slattery and then her sister Camryn turned a steal into a layup and a 47-41 advantage.

Canton hit a couple of free throws to try and chip away, before Katelyn Mollica (game-high 22 points) hit a deep three to extend the lead to seven, which was the largest lead for either team to that point in the game. Two more at the line for KKiara Cerruti (nine points and 10 rebounds) was matched by another Jordyn Collins jumper.

It looked like Foxboro was going to put the game to rest, but Canton continued to claw back into it with a solid defensive effort. Fay Gallery (12 points) faked out her defender and laid the ball in to make it 52-47. After a Foxboro free throw, Cerruti was able to bully her way into the lane and finish with a scoop. Sydney Gallery (team-high 13 points and eight rebounds) got into the lane and knocked down a short jumper to tie the game at 53 with 50 seconds remaining.

The Warriors worked the ball around, but with just two seconds on the shot clock an inadvertent whistle forced them inbound on the side. Foxboro didn’t get a shot off on time, giving Canton the chance to win it with 20 seconds left. The Bulldogs also failed to get up a shot in time, as the clock ran out on regulation.

“In the timeout, I said, we’re going to need to come up with a rebound and we have a chance to win it and if we don’t come up with the rebound then they have the chance to win it,” said Canton coach Jim Choquette. “We tried to get the ball to the right people and without a doubt Foxboro’s defense is one of the best in the league. If we can give ourselves a chance, that’s what we’re looking for.”

Both teams stayed tight at the start of OT. After Fay Gallery put Canton in front, the Warriors finally got something to fall. Hannah Blake (11 points and seven rebounds) knocked down a jumper in the paint to make it 55-54. Next time down, freshman Erin Foley (eight points) swung the ball around to her classmate and Collins, who had struggled from the field to that point, drilled the biggest shot of her rookie season, putting the Warriors up four.

“She’s getting more consistent with taking that shot,” Downs explained. “I tell her, I have confidence in you take that shot because she’s got a great first step to the basket but if we have her just do that then they’re going to keep giving her that outside shot. She’s got to show that she’s got that range.”

Mollica went 4-for-4 from the line and Blake added a late jumper to push the final lead to double digits.

Choquette said, “When you play Foxboro, there’s a lot of focus on what Katelyn Mollica is doing but give credit they had some other players right behind her who stepped up.”

The game was close throughout. An end-to-end first quarter saw the teams evenly split 30 points. Mollica got off to a good start with seven in the first and Slattery knocked down a three off the bench. The Gallerys paced the Bulldogs with Sydney scoring six and Fay adding five.

In the second, Canton grabbed a slim lead. Samya DaSilva (12 points and six rebounds) was a force in the paint, Cerruti got her first basket to make it 26-20, and Kayla Albert (six points and eight rebounds) closed out the half with a tough finish to make it 28-24. Foley kept Foxboro close with five of her eight points in the second.

Downs said, “The freshmen are getting better with every game. If this was a regular season, who knows where they’d be at come this time. That’s a great team and it’s so good to play against them because it makes us better.”

The Warriors rallied in the third to jump in front. Mollica again was the key. She buried a three after Blake’s offensive rebound and kick-out and then added another to make it 41-36. Fay Gallery answered back with a three of her own, assisted by Marissa Staffiere, but Mollica followed with another jumper. DaSilva cut the deficit to two (43-41) with a good post move right before the end of the quarter.

“It wasn’t a loss because of lack of effort,” said Choquette. “Everyone who walked into that game did everything they could. They just hit a couple of really good shots and ultimately that was it.”

Foxboro (8-2) has closed out league play for the season, but will take on King Philip next weekend. Canton (3-5) has three more league games to play, starting with a home-and-home against Stoughton on Monday and Tuesday afternoon.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Oliver Ames Grinds Out Win and Sweep of Canton

Oliver Ames Girls Basketball
OA junior Hailey Bourne brings the ball upcourt during a 53-43 victory over Canton that puts the Tigers two games in front in the division standings. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Josh PerryFollowJoshPerry


NORTH EASTON, Mass. – Two days after putting up 79 points in a win against Davenport division rival Canton, Oliver Ames looked up at the clock nearly six minutes into Thursday night’s rematch at the Nixon Gym and saw a zero under its name. It was a sign that things weren’t going to be nearly as comfortable the second time around.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

“Consider it ugly but effective,” joked OA coach Laney Clement-Holbrook after her team rallied, and then held off a late charge by the Bulldogs, to secure a 53-43 victory that puts the Tigers in pole position for a league title in their first season back in the Davenport in four years.

“We really wanted it to be a fast-paced game but it wasn’t pretty, at all,” Clement-Holbrook continued. “We know who their three-point shooters are, a couple of times we just didn’t get a hand up, we were too far off. I thought we were scrappy. Once we switched our defense, we got a lot of turnovers. I think that got us going and got us back into it.”

Canton showed fight from the opening tip, determined not to allow the game to get away like it did in the first meeting. Kiara Cerruti opened with a quick three and Sydney Gallery added two from beyond the arc, including one off glass, to open a 9-0 lead.

OA looked completely out of sorts on the offensive end, taking quick long-range shots, and struggling to find the mark against an aggressive Bulldogs defense. Caroline Peper knocked down a free throw with 2:10 left in the first to get the Tigers on the board. She followed that with a three, Caroline Flynn knocked down four at the line and suddenly it was a one-point game (11-10) after one.

“They’re physical, they’re probably the biggest team in the league or close to it,” said Canton coach Jim Choquette. “Their size is a totally different challenge than many of the games we face. They put so much pressure on you whenever you touch the ball that it’s not an easy task just to whip it inside.”

Kelsey Yelle (eight points and six rebounds) gave the Tigers a spark off the bench. She knocked down a pair of mid-range jumpers, both assisted by Hailey Bourne (seven points and four assists) to put OA ahead.

Cerruti had a steal and layup and Gallery a score off an offensive rebound to go back into the lead, but freshman Jasmyn Cooper (five points and seven rebounds) buried a three and grabbed an offensive board that led to a Peper jumper. OA closed the half on a 9-4 run that put them in front for good.

The Tigers stretched the lead into double digits in the third quarter and threatened at several points in the second half to break the game wide open and run away, as they did on Tuesday, but Canton kept finding ways to hang around.

Peper kicked things off in the third with a three off a Flynn assist, had a nifty scoop on the baseline after Bourne swung it around the perimeter, and turned a steal into an easy transition basket. She scored seven of her team-high 15 points in the third. Bourne (seven points and four assists) added a couple of buckets in the quarter, including one off a Flynn (eight points, seven rebounds, and four assists) rebound and dish.

“Caroline Flynn has the heart of a lion,” Clement-Holbrook said. “She really does. She just makes things happen and I hardly got her a rest. She played almost every minute.”

Gallery tried to keep the Bulldogs close with four of her 14 points in the quarter and Cerruti nailed another three, but OA’s defense and rebounding was proving to be a problem. Kayla Albert (14 rebounds) was one of the few players finding any success crashing the glass for the visitors, who went into the fourth trailing 38-28.

“Kayla played amazing underneath,” said Choquette. “She kept a lot of extra balls alive for us and that gives our guards more chances to hit some shots.”

Twice in the fourth quarter, OA led by as may as 13 points. After Cerruti drilled a deep three, Flynn turned a steal into a short pull-up jumper and then Maddie Homer had a quick release jumper on the baseline to make it 44-31. Samya DaSilva answered with her second three of the game, but Homer hit another short jumper and Bourne knocked down a shot from the corner for a 49-36 advantage.

“Maddie Homer coming off the bench did a good job,” said Clement-Holbrook. “We started moving people around and that to me is the beauty of this group because of the depth. If somebody’s not having a good night, we’re going to move them out and move somebody else in.”

It felt like the game was lost, but Canton kept fighting back. Fay Gallery set up Cerruti for her fourth three of the night and then Sydney Gallery got a rare look in the paint to get the lead back down to eight. Cerruti fought off the attentions of a couple Tigers to spin into the lane and then spin the ball off the glass for a tough finish to make it 49-43 with 51.5 to play.

Homer made a clutch bucket for the Tigers to stem the Canton momentum and Jess Erlich hit two shots at the line (her only points of the night) to seal the win.

Choquette said, “The other night wasn’t a really good representation of our team. We had a really good practice yesterday and talked about that and how we can help each other. Every girl decided lets go out there and play the way we’re capable of playing. I was really really proud of the way the girls responded.”

Oliver Ames (6-0) will put its perfect record on the line at Stoughton on Tuesday, while Canton (3-3) will try to end its three-game skid when it travels to Foxboro.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

2020-2021 Hockomock Girls Basketball Preview

A new girls basketball season will tip off in January. Read a team-by-team look at each team. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2020-2021 Hockomock Girls Basketball Preview

Attleboro

2019-2020 Record: 10-12
2019-2020 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round
Coach: Martin Crowley
After a couple of rebuilding years, Attleboro made a jump last winter and clinched its return to the playoffs in the final game of the regular season. While the Bombardiers will miss the all-around game of Nyah Thomas, who is at Worcester State after a breakout senior season, Attleboro will count on six returners from last year’s roster and a couple of promising newcomers to make some noise in the Kelley-Rex.

Thomas’ scoring and ball-handling will be tough to replicate, but the Bombardiers have strength and athleticism in the post. Junior Meg Gordon developed into a double-double machine last year, using her quickness and length to cause problems in the paint. Senior Ryan Johnson is another forward with length that can impact the game on the glass and protecting the rim.

In the backcourt, senior Gabby Bosh is back to run the point as well as being a pesky defender. Juniors Hailey and Lindsey Perry will also add to the depth at the guard position and to the team’s overall speed and defensive effort. Freshmen guards Kayla Goldrick and Narissa Smith are newcomers that have the potential to make an instant impact and should immediately find themselves in the backcourt rotation.

Attleboro coach Marty Crowley said, “For us to be successful we must be able to play defense consistently and rebound. This is by far the most athletic team we have had and hopefully we can use that to our advantage. We are blessed to be in the gym everyday with such great kids and that is a win in itself.”

Canton

2019-2020 Record: 13-10
2019-2020 Finish: Reached D2 South First Round
Coach: Jim Choquette
Canton has been a youthful team with potential for the past two seasons and the Bulldogs come into the winter with an opportunity to turn that potential into the program’s first league title since 1992. After graduating just one player from last year’s team and with many of its standout players now in year three as starters, Canton has the experience to match its talent.

Juniors Fay and Sydney Gallery and Kiara Cerruti have been standouts since their first games as freshmen and have the all-around games to cause match-up problems for the opposition. All three can score from the perimeter, but Sydney gives the Bulldogs a presence on the post while Fay can score off the dribble and be a playmaker on offense. Cerruti is a pure scorer, with good range and the ability to take defenders off the bounce.

Depth should be a strength for the Bulldogs this season, with players able to come off the bench and produce at every position. Carly Fitzgerald and Marissa Staffiere will return in the backcourt, giving Canton solid ball-handlers and a pair of strong defenders. Senior Kayla Albert adds length and rebounding in the paint and sophomore Samya DaSilva showed off great footwork last year and will be another scoring threat on the block.

“I’m very excited to take the floor with this group of girls,” said Canton coach Jim Choquette. “I love their desire to improve, win games and represent the town of Canton to the best of their abilities. We all want to improve on our past successes, and we’ve been working hard to do so. Very lucky to be coaching this team!”

Foxboro

2019-2020 Record: 24-2
2019-2020 Finish: D2 State Co-Champion
Coach: Lisa Downs
Foxboro closed out the 2019-20 season by winning its final 16 games and securing a second state title in the past three seasons. The Warriors graduated four starters from last year’s team, so players will have to step into bigger roles this season and newcomers will have to produce right away to make it five straight Davenport titles.

Defense and tempo are the hallmarks of Foxboro’s success under head coach Lisa Downs and that should be the same this year. For scoring, the Warriors are going to count on senior Katelyn Mollica. One of the top players in the league for the past three seasons, the Stonehill College-commit is one of the league’s top shooters and strong help defender. Senior Jordyn Collins is another key component from last year’s team, as a tenacious defender and a slasher who can get to the rim.

Senior Hannah Blake will step into the starting lineup at center this winter and Downs thinks that she has the potential to be one of the best bigs in the league. Senior Morgan Sylvestre had some big moments last year (for instance, the D2 South final against Hingham) and will see more time at point guard this year. Freshmen guards Camryn Collins and Erin Foley will both be in the mix right away and sophomore Lauren Miley is back after missing all of last year with an injury.

“We graduated a large chunk of our roster from last season so we will have quite a few new faces on the court to accompany Katelyn,” Downs said. “We will continue to focus on our defensive efforts and will strive to pursue the fast pace that we have become familiar with. Safety of the girls is obviously my first concern, but it is also my hope to be able to provide the most fulfilling season possible in terms of overall improvement on both ends of the court.”

Franklin

2019-2020 Record: 25-0
2019-2020 Finish: D1 State Co-Champion
Coach: John Leighton
Last winter, Franklin went start-to-finish as the top team not only in the league but in the state and capped off an undefeated season with the program’s first state championship. The graduation of center Ali Brigham, who was arguably the program’s best-ever player, is a big change for the Panthers this year but there is plenty of talent and experience on the roster to make a push for a three-peat of Kelley-Rex titles.

Junior Olivia Quinn is one of the main reasons that the Panthers are considered the favorites in the Kelley-Rex again this year. Quinn scored nearly 400 points and was one of the top three or four players in the league last season. She continues to develop and improve and will be the focal point of the offense this year. Senior Erin Quaile is the two-time Defensive Player of the Year but is also a solid point guard who limits turnovers, calms things down, and gets Franklin into its sets.

The offense will obviously look a little different this year, without a 6-foot-3 center in the middle, but the Panthers have talent on the wings to cause problems. Seniors Elizabeth Wilson and Kaleigh Houlihan, and junior Stefany Padula can all stretch the defense with their ability to knock down perimeter shots. The forward position should also be strong with Emma Sousa, Brigid Early, and Katie Peterson giving Franklin length and athleticism on the block.

“We are excited to be back on the court and I have been very impressed by our depth,” said Franklin coach John Leighton. “Our girls have been committed to getting better and competing on every play.”

King Philip

2019-2020 Record: 12-9
2019-2020 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round
Coach: Dan Nagle
King Philip head coach Dan Nagle has implemented a unique system based on high pressure and constant running. The Warriors don’t have to worry about shot clock violations. With a roster of athletic players who will all be counted on at some point and have a year of experience in the system, Nagle hopes this year’s team can create even more chaos that last winter and push Franklin at the top of the Kelley-Rex.

Senior Emma Glaser is the team’s top returning scorer and the Springfield College-commit will be counted on to take a step up, as the Warriors lost their top three scorers to graduation and transfers. Glaser is an athletic wing with range out beyond the three-point line. Athleticism is a common theme for this roster. Senior Caroline Aaron is another versatile wing who can contribute on both ends of the floor.

Depth won’t be an issue for the Warriors, who regularly sub five players at once and everyone gets playing time. Junior guards Elizabeth Molla, Liv Lafond, Grace Clyde, and Julia Marsden will provide scoring punch. At 6-foot-3, sophomore center Emily Sawyer gives KP a unique weapon in the middle and looks more comfortable with the speed at varsity. Senior Courtney Keswick battled injuries last year but is back healthy and gives KP a consistent three-point threat. Sophomore Jackie Bonner is a scorer being moved up from JV who could be poised for a breakout year.

Nagle said, “It’s year two in the system, so the learning curve has been a lot smaller and kids are picking things up fast. What we do is no secret. It’s going to be pandemonium every game, win or lose. This year’s team might even be a better fit for it because generally we have better team speed and it being year two makes a huge difference.”

Mansfield

2019-2020 Record: 9-14
2019-2020 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Heather McPherson
After more than two decades in charge, Mike Redding retired as head coach after last season. There will be some continuity for the program however, as former player and assistant coach Heather McPherson will move into the first seat this year. McPherson can count on continuity on the floor as well, with six seniors among the returning players for the Hornets.

While the Hornets missed the playoffs last year, they also had some impressive wins against playoff teams along the way, beating Attleboro, King Philip, and Bishop Feehan. Senior Kayla Vine was one of the league’s top perimeter shooters and also a solid playmaker with her ability to get into the paint. Senior Ashley Santos extended her range as a shooter last year was a strong all-around player that was a tough matchup on both ends of the court. Sophomore Abby Wager showed flashes of her potential as a scorer during a strong rookie season and her development could be a big boost this year.

Mansfield will have plenty of depth to call on. Senior Ally Prentis adds another shooter, senior Sarah Dooling is another versatile forward, and seniors Brooke Berube and Kacey Veiking give the Hornets a lot of height in the paint. Junior Anna Darlington and sophomore Olivia Salisbury should see more time in the backcourt.

McPherson said, “I couldn’t ask for a better senior group to begin my varsity coaching career, they have set an exciting tone to the season with their energy, effort, enthusiasm. With all of the uncertainty that this year has brought we are excited for the opportunity to be playing basketball. For us to compete each night we will need to play good fundamental basketball.”

Milford

2019-2020 Record: 3-17
2019-2020 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: TJ Dolliver
While Milford went winless in league play last year, the Hawks lost no one to graduation and will have seven seniors on this season’s roster. Experience will be a key for Milford, which for the first time will be playing in the Kelley-Rex division. Although the Hawks have struggled at times offensively, no one can argue with the team’s effort and athleticism, especially on defense (ask state champion Foxboro, which was held to just 44 points last year) and that should once again be the team’s strength.

Senior Emma Lawrence will be the team’s focal point this year after an all-star junior season. Lawrence has long arms, endless energy, and the ability to get to the basket. Fellow senior Jillian Michelson is another player who will shadow the opposing team’s top offensive player and use her speed and length to cause problems. Sophomore Brooke Ferreira stepped in at point guard last year and had an impressive rookie campaign. Her ball-handling and ability to get into the lane was critical to the team’s offense, which could at times struggle from the perimeter.

Milford is not a tall team, but the Hawks have several versatile forwards that crash the boards and will make it tough for teams to score in the paint. Seniors Carly Ferreira, Katie Maietta, and Elise Fauerbach add physicality on the block for a team that likes to get up and pressure the ball.

“Having a senior-heavy roster and a team of hard working girls, this season will be a lot of fun,” said Milford coach TJ Dolliver.

North Attleboro

2019-2020 Record: 9-11
2019-2020 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Nikki Correia
Under first-year head coach Nikki Correia, North Attleboro bounced back last year and went into the final game of the regular season with a chance of clinching a return to the postseason. Although Big Red missed out on the tournament, the Rocketeers come into this season with optimism. A year of experience in Correia’s system and a strong corps of returning players gives North hopes of springing a surprise in the Davenport division.

Senior guard Amanda Kaiser will remain the focal point for opposing defenses and will force them to extend beyond the three-point line to prevent her from getting going. Kaiser is also a strong defender, who can kickstart the North break by forcing turnovers. Sophomore Summer Doherty is another wing player whose quickness and length causes problems on defense and her strength allows her to get into the lane on offense.

Senior Siobhan Weir keeps things calm even as North tries to get out and run as often as possible, while also adding a strong mid-range game. Senior Lydia Santos missed last season with injury and will be another strong ball-handler and leader in the backcourt. Sophomore Ava McKeon had an impressive rookie season on the wing and uses her strength and athleticism to get into the lane and her energy to get on the boards. Fellow sophomore Taylor McMath got called up last season and made an instant impact as a post player. North isn’t the tallest team, but McMath gives the Rocketeers extra length in the paint on both ends of the floor.

“I know with my team they have been so excited just to be on the basketball court again with their teammates and ready to compete,” said Correia. “Overall we have a strong unit and I can not wait to start the basketball season and see what these girls will do as a team. They all bring different strengths to the game so once they can mesh it all together on the court it will be great to see.”

Oliver Ames

2019-2020 Record: 14-7
2019-2020 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round
Coach: Laney Clement-Holbrook
Oliver Ames is back in the Davenport division for the first time since 2016, when the Tigers won their last league title. OA returns with the goal of ending Foxboro’s four-year run as the top team in the division and has a talented, experienced roster to try and win the program’s Hock-best 23rd league title.

The Tigers pushed Franklin for the Kelley-Rex crown all the way to the final week of league play last year and that experience has given them added confidence heading into the new season. Injuries took their toll down the stretch, but when fully healthy OA boasts one of the deepest rosters in the league. Caroline Flynn is more of a point forward than a point guard but she has developed into one of the league’s top playmakers, while also being one of its top rebounding guards. Caroline Peper battled a back injury all of last season, but when healthy is one of the top shooters in the Hock.

Junior Hailey Bourne has emerged as one of the top defensive players in the league, capable of guarding players on the perimeter or in the post. Senior Jess Erlich adds shooting from her forward position. OA has six returning players who will be bolstered by an exciting crop of newcomers, including freshman guard Jasmyn Cooper.

OA coach Laney Clement-Holbrook, who passed the 700-win mark last season, said, “OA’s strengths will come from the depth of their lineup and a cast of young and upcoming players with great intensity and love for the game. Despite the challenges associated with pandemic, OA is excited to have the chance to play this season and value every second they get to compete for the top spot.”

Sharon

2019-2020 Record: 4-16
2019-2020 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Sandy Lombardi
Sharon finished with only four wins last season, but the Eagles also lost seven games by 10 points or less, including five games by five points or fewer and twice lost by a single basket. With a good core of versatile players returning, the Eagles are hoping to make a move up the standings in what continues to be a competitive Davenport division.

The graduations of Ally Brown and Kaitlyn Wallace take away two of the team’s top ball-handlers and perimeter scorers, but the Eagles can make up for that with strength in the paint. Senior Leah Fandel and junior Trinity Payne are difference makers on both ends of the court, capable of crashing the boards, protecting the rim, and offering interior scoring. Both players are capable of stepping back and knocking down short jumpers too, adding a different dimension to the offense.

Sophomore guards Tess Letendre and Emily Freeman will be counted on to pick up some of the slack on the perimeter and get the Eagles into their offensive sets. Seniors Gaby Cabral and Julia Early will also be counted on to take bigger roles this season. The Eagles will also have a pair of freshmen, Rachel Hager and Eva Poulton, who will be expected to contribute right away.

“I’m excited for the girls to have an opportunity to play this season,” said Sharon coach Sandy Lombardi. “Looking back a few months ago I would not have imagined us having a season at all.”

Stoughton

2019-2020 Record: 9-11
2019-2020 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Charmaine Steele Jordan
Stoughton narrowly missed out on a playoff spot last year, falling just one win short of qualifying for the tournament (that included a one-point loss to North Attleboro midway through the season). The Black Knights will have to try and make up for the graduation of their two leading scorers, Aliyah Wright and Shyanne Trinh, but head coach Charmaine Steele Jordan expects that this year’s roster will live up to the program’s standard of hustle, hard work, and aggressiveness.

Mackenzie Manning is the team’s top returning scorer and Steele Jordan is counting on the senior guard to provide leadership and passion for the younger players. Fellow seniors Cate Downey and Jess Maddalena (who is out for the season with an injury) are also going to be counted on to set the tone for the team.

Junior guard Makaiyah Singleton Rivera saw plenty of time last year and gives the Black Knights a boost of speed and energy on the perimeter. There are also several underclassmen who will be jumping up to varsity and could add important minutes this season. Sophomore guards Kiara Scardina and Shayla Ford and freshman forward Alyssa Edwards are newcomers to keep an eye on this season.

Steele Jordan said, “I’m really thankful for all the players that came out for our program this year in the middle of pandemic. Looking forward to kicking off the season in 2021. Our goals have not changed, the Black Knights will play hard, play together and represent the Stoughton community with pride this season.”

Taunton

2019-2020 Record: 5-15
2019-2020 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Amy Siggens
Taunton has struggled to get going this winter, as practices were halted after just three days and the teams won’t resume basketball activities until next week, which has forced the opening games with Attleboro to be postponed. The Tigers will also be without last year’s leading scorer, sophomore Kameron St. Pierre, who has opted out. With all of that, second-year head coach Amy Siggens is still excited that the team this season and building on the fundamentals of her system.

The Tigers will be an experienced, if still young, team this season. Seniors Jaelyn and Sonya Fernandez will be the focal points on the offensive end. They are both versatile players capable of stepping back and knocking down shots and also taking their defenders off the dribble. Their athleticism on both ends of the court makes them a tough matchup. They also provide leadership for a team that is building consistency. The Tigers won five games last year, but also lost seven times by single digits, including once in overtime.

A strength of the team will be its depth in the backcourt. Senior Tori DaRosa is a tough defender and gets the Tigers into their sets. Juniors Abby Souza and Braeley McDonald are also strong options to provide shooting off the bench. Sophomore Maddie Michenzie can be a force on the boards and adds a different dimension in the post on both ends of the court.

“We’re rolling with the punches here,” said Siggens about having to postpone practices until the New Year. “Everyday is something new and you just have to adjust. We’re focusing on the leadership of our seniors but also the development of our young kids. This is a year to really pull it back and go after the fundamentals and the basics.”

Monday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 02/17/20

Today’s games are listed below.

Boys Basketball
Attleboro, 71 vs. Tech Boston, 66 – Final – Attleboro used an 8-0 surge at the end of the third quarter to take the lead back, Jason Weir hit a pair of big three pointers in the final quarter, and Bryant Ciccio went 7-for-8 at the line to help the Bombardiers secure a win over Tech Boston. Attleboro led 16-15 after one and 32-31 at halftime before Tech Boston took a lead late in the third. Justin Daniels hit a three, Tim Callahan hit two from downtown, and Qualeem Charles had five of his 17 in the third to help Attleboro take a 48-45 lead entering the fourth. Weir finished with 12 points and Ciccio had a game-high 25 points, going 9-for-10 from the line overall, hitting four three-pointers in the first quarter.

Canton, 54 @ Bishop Feehan, 59 – Final – Canton rallied to get within striking distance in the fourth quarter but Bishop Feehan iced the game at the free throw line to get the win in the Bulldogs’ season finale. After a close first quarter (9-8), the Shamrocks created a nine-point advantage (24-15) at halftime, a lead they carried into the fourth (38-29). Nick Cushman (12 points) hit a pair of threes in the fourth while Eric Mischler (17 points), Will Keefe, and Matt Giglio each hit one, and Robbie Gallery added four of his 12 in the final frame, but the Shamrocks made just enough of their chances from the line to get the win.

Foxboro, 82 vs. Holliston, 40 – Final – Foxboro’s offense poured in 28 points in the first quarter and never looked back in a big win over Holliston. The Warriors built a 46-11 halftime lead with 10 players getting into the scoring column over the first 16 minutes. Senior Brandon Borde scored 12 of his team-high 16 points in the opening quarter while Donald Rogers had nine of his 11 points in the same frame. Freshman Alex Penders added a career-high nine points and sophomore Dylan Gordon had eight points. Foxboro will play Randolph in the tournament final on Tuesday at 4:30.

King Philip, 80 @ Somerset-Berkley, 60 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery from this game – King Philip closed the first half on a 12-0 run to create the separation it needed to get the win and punch its ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2015. Senior Alex Fritz (five assists) scored 10 of his game-high 26 points in the second while Andrew McKinney (eight rebounds) had a big second half, netting 11 of his 16 points. Tommy Donahue added 12 points and nine rebounds and Robert Jarest finished with 11 points and four rebounds for KP, who will play Hanover in the tournament final on Wednesday at 6:30.

Mansfield, 63 vs. Needham, 58 – Final – Click here for a Recap and Photo Gallery from this game.

Milford, 67 vs. Tantasqua, 56 – Final – Milford senior Colby Pires poured in a career-high 41 points to lead the Scarlet Hawks to a win at home over Tantasqua. Pires got off to a hot start, hitting three three-pointers in the first, finishing with 14 points in the frame. He added eight more in the second and then went back to the three-point line in the third, hitting a trio of three-pointers again. He closed strong with 10 points in the fourth. Jordan Darling added seven of his nine points in the fourth to help the Hawks close the win out.

Sharon, 47 vs. Dedham, 59 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery from this game – Sharon got within eight in the second half but couldn’t overcome a slow first half against Dedham in the final game of the season. The Eagles were limited to eight points in the first and five in the second, going into halftime down 29-13. A strong start to the third capped by a bucket from Aidan Kane (nine points, five rebounds) made it 33-25 but Dedham finished the quarter with a 7-3 burst to push the lead back to double-digits. Andrew Burton led the Eagles with 11 points and four rebounds while Sam Cohen chipped in with eight points.

Girls Basketball
Franklin, 73 vs. Cathedral, 56 – Final – Franklin closed out a perfect regular season with its second straight 17-point win against a highly-ranked opponent at the Comcast Classic. Ali Brigham scored 16 of her game-high 22 points in the second half, but she also got plenty of help, as Franklin got another strong team effort in the win. Megan O’Connell scored 16 points and Olivia Quinn had a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

Canton, 66 vs. Nauset, 50 – Final – The Bulldogs earned an impressive win against a potential playoff opponent and split the season series with the Warriors. Canton led 17-10 after one quarter, extended the lead to 13 by halftime, and by 16 heading into the fourth. Kiara Cerruti paced the offense with 16 points, while Fay and Sydney Gallery each scored 14 points. Fay added six assists and eight rebounds. Kayla Albert had a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds and Samya DaSilva finished with eight points and 10 boards.

Foxboro, 60 vs. Scituate, 48 – Final – Foxboro won the opening game of the Warrior Classic to advance to tomorrow’s championship. Katelyn Mollica knocked down six three-pointers and scored 24 to lead the Warriors. Yara Fawaz had 10 points, Shakirah Ketant had nine, and Lizzy Davis added eight in the win.

Mansfield, 47 vs. Bishop Feehan, 44 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Mansfield rallied from eight points down heading into the fourth, outscoring Feehan 18-7 over the final eight minutes to grab the win in the semifinal of the Roundball Classic. Kayla Vine scored nine of her 11 points in the fourth, including 7-of-8 at the line, and had what turned out to be the game-winning free throw. Ashley Santos had a game-high 17 points, including six in the fourth quarter, and Kelly Doherty knocked down a pair of clutch free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win. Feehan jumped out to a 15-10 lead after one, but the Hornets held the visitors to only four points in the seconds. A last second bucket put Feehan up by one at half and the Shamrocks came out of the break with 18 points in the third to extend the lead to eight. Santos scored four points in the third to try and keep Mansfield close and Allison Prentis knocked down a clutch three. Sarah Dooling added six points and seven rebounds in the win.

Taunton, 65 @ Durfee, 47 – Final – The Tigers went on the road and picked up their fifth win of the season. Youth was served for Taunton, with freshman Kameron St. Pierre and eighth grader Sam Lincoln continuing their impressive rookie campaigns on varsity by leading the team with 16 points apiece. Junior Jaelyn Fernandez also got into double digits with 11 points. Taunton closes out its season at home against New Bedford on Wednesday.

Boys Hockey
Canton, 4 vs. Boston Latin, 2 – Final

Foxboro, 3 vs. East Bridgewater, 0 – Final

King Philip, 3 vs. Norwood, 3 – Final – King Philip erased a 2-1 deficit to take a third period lead but the Mustangs of Norwood scored with less than a minute left to steal a point from the Warriors. Nolan Feyler gave the Warriors a 1-0 first period lead before Norwood responded with a pair of second half goals to seize a 2-1 advantage. Aidan Boulger made it 2-2 with just under two minutes to go in the second and Feyler netted his second just under six minutes into the third to put KP ahead 3-2. With the goalie pulled, Norwood tied the game with 17 seconds left to make it 3-3.

Oliver Ames, 2 vs. Westwood, 3 – Final

Taunton, 3 @ Auburn, 6 – Final

Girls Hockey
Canton, 3 vs. Barnstable, 0 – Final – Olivia Maffeo, Lizzie Tassinari, and Payton McDonough each scored as the Bulldogs skated to a win over Barnstable. Freshman Carolyn Durand recorded her 12th shutout of the season in net.

King Philip, 3 vs. Walpole, 0 – Final

Canton Closes Strong to Beat North and Reach Playoffs

Canton girls basketball
Sophomore Kiara Cerruti scored a game-high 25 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, to lead Canton to a win at North Attleboro and a third straight playoff appearance. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

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NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Both teams came into Tuesday night’s game at the Beaupre Gym in a fight for second place in the Davenport division and both needing one more win to secure a spot in the postseason. It was always likely to come down to who could make enough plays down the stretch to decide a the winner.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Despite making only two shots from the field in the fourth quarter, it was Canton that came through with clutch defensive stands and clutch rebounds to pull out a 64-53 victory at North Attleboro and seal a third straight trip to the tournament. The Bulldogs closed the game on a 9-0 run, all nine points coming from the free throw line and five from Kiara Cerruti, who scored nine of her game-high 25 points in the fourth.

“We controlled rebounds, we passed it to each other well, we came up with good stops,” said Canton coach Jim Choquette, praising his team’s ability to bounce back after a last-second loss to New Bedford on Sunday. “We were in the right spots, putting pressure on them. To come right back against a team that beat us the first time on their floor, it’s not easy to win here, and really take it was good.”

North coach Nikki Correia said, “They fought to the end, just a couple of mental mistakes at the end, bad passes, throwing down at their feet when they’re cutting, trying to force it a little too much.”

Defense was the story down the stretch, but it was offense that was the story of the first half.

The Bulldogs got off to a solid start with Cerruti (eight rebounds) burying the first of her four threes on the night and Fay Gallery (16 points, five assists, and seven steals) knocking down a pull-up jumper. North answered right back with an 8-0 run to grab an 11-7 lead.

Regan Fein hit a short jumper off an Eliza Dion offensive rebound and assist and then got free for another jumper, this time off an inbounds feed from Olivia Forbes (five rebounds and seven assists). After Canton got within two at 16-14, Siobhan Weir (11 points) came off the bench to drill a corner three.

The second quarter went back and forth with the Bulldogs coming right back to grab the lead after freshman Samya DaSilva (five points) scored in the post and Gallery drilled a three, but Weir grabbed an offensive rebound to make it 21-20. Summer Doherty hit a tough runner off glass and then Fein saved a possession at half and drilled a three to make it 28-26.

Sydney Gallery (11 points) tied it with a move in the post and then assisted on a bucket for DaSilva. After Cerruti scored with her lefthand, Amanda Kaiser buried her only three of the night to cut the lead to one. Cerruti closed the half with a layup and Canton went into the locker room up 34-31.

North came out of the break and regained the advantage with an 8-0 run. Dion started it with her only basket of the night and then Doherty scored the other six, including a layup following a steal at midcourt. Canton responded. Lilah Milton knocked down a jumper and then Fay Gallery scored plus the foul following a Cerruti rebound.

With Fein receiving treatment on the sideline after twisting her ankle, North got a couple of big shots from Weir, who nailed a pair from beyond the arc to put the hosts in front 45-39. Choquette called a timeout and got uncharacteristically angry with his team’s effort.

“It’s rare that I’m emotional in a timeout,” he explained. “I just felt like the girls are better than they were playing at that time. The game was closer than it could’ve been if we were doing the right things and they know what the right things are they just weren’t executing. We went out, two good passes, Kiara wide open gets a three because we made the extra pass.”

The Bulldogs answered the call, finishing the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run to grab back the lead. Cerruti hit a pair of threes, both on Fay Gallery assists, and Sydney Gallery was able to score in the paint to make it 47-45 heading to the final eight minutes.

Canton extended the run to 14 unanswered points at the start of the fourth. Sydney Gallery got an and-one with another post move and Cerruti continued her hot shooting from beyond the arc.

“Siobhan came in off the bench for me and made two big threes, but when someone goes out everyone starts to look around and think someone else will step up,” said Correia. “I told them whoever is coming in just do your job and it will work.”

As you would expect, North made one last run to get back into it. Fein returned to bury a jumper and Kaiser freed up Doherty for a basket. After a Canton free throw, Kaiser got only her second basket of the night and then, following another free throw for the visitors, Doherty cut the lead to 55-53 with a drive. It would be North’s last point of the night.

Canton went 9-for-12 at the line in the closing minutes, but also forced several turnovers, got a couple of clutch rebounds from Kayla Albert (eight rebounds) on both ends of the floor, and a strong effort down the stretch from Carly Fitzgerald guarding Kaiser (North’s leading scorer coming into the game).

Choquette said, “Kayla might have won the game with two of the rebounds that she got in the paint down here. Easily one of the best second halves she’s played for us. That means as much as a three going down or a block, she really stepped it up.”

“We have two more in front of us and hopefully we can grind one out,” said Correia. “I’m just proud of them, for me to come in my first year, change everything and being a running coach, all new offense, these kids bought in.”

Canton (11-9, 9-6) will try to clinch at least a share of second place in the division when it hosts Milford on Friday. North Attleboro (9-9, 9-6) will try to book its place in the state tournament when it visits league champion Foxboro.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Tuesday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 01/28/20

Today’s games are listed below.

Boys Basketball
Milford, 57 @ Attleboro, 61 – Final (OT) – Attleboro went 8-for-12 from the free throw line in the overtime period to outlast Milford, who used a furious fourth quarter rally to get back into the game. The Bombardiers got all of their overtime points from the line with senior Nick McMahon going 6-for-8, finishing with 13 points in the game, and senior Qualeem Charles hitting 2-of-4, recording a team-high 20 points in the win. The Bombardiers got off to a terrific start with seven players scoring in the opening quarter, including three-pointers from Justin Daniels, Tim Callahan, and McMahon to seize a 17-5 lead. Attleboro kept its distance, holding a 28-18 lead at halftime and senior Bryant Ciccio scored eight of his 13 points in the third to push the lead to 42-29 with just eight minutes to play. But Milford rallied in the final frame as Ben Blanchard (11 points) connected on three three-pointers, Tyler Wetherbee added one, and Colby Pires (11 points), Jordan Darling (eight points), Max Martin, and Ralph Franklin Jr. (eight points) each converted to force the overtime period. The Hawks connected on seven threes in the game but did not attempt a free throw.

Canton, 61 @ Oliver Ames, 74 – Final – Oliver Ames junior Amari Brown scored 15 of his team-high 24 points in the first half and senior Jay Spillane connected on three three-pointers in the opening 16 minutes as the Tigers built a double-digit lead by half and never looked back. The Tigers scored 17 points in each of the first three quarters and added 23 more in the fourth to get the win. Holding a 17-9 lead through one quarter of play, Brown had nine points in the second and Spillane hit two threes to help the Tigers extended the lead. Ryan Burkett scored nine of his 11 points in the second half, Adam Cann and Owen Friel each hit a three in the third, and Evan Craig finished with 12 points for OA. Junior Eric Mischler hit five three-pointers in the second half and scored a career-high 36 points for Canton.

Foxboro, 68 @ King Philip, 72 – Final (OT) – Foxboro erased a six-point deficit to start the fourth quarter but King Philip’s Owen Conlin hit a pair of three-pointers in the overtime period, punctuating a terrific shooting second half for the Warriors in an important win. KP built a 16-11 lead through one quarter before Foxboro closed it to a one-point game, 30-29, at halftime. KP senior Alex Fritz scored 10 of his team-high 23 points in the third as the Warriors pushed the advantage to 47-41 but Foxboro senior Brandon Borde netted 10 of his team-high 21 points in the fourth to bring the visitors level. Conlin (11 points) hit a three a minute into the extra period and added another a minute later, pushing it to a six-point lead that KP held onto for the rest of the way. The Warriors connected on seven three-pointers after the halftime break while Foxboro totaled just two makes from downtown. Tommy Donahue scored seven of his 13 points between the fourth and overtime and had some key blocks for KP while Robert Jarest added 15 points, connecting on three trifectas. Donald Rogers added 16 point and Ryan Hughes chipped in with 12 points for Foxboro.

Sharon, 50 @ Franklin, 64 – Final – Franklin got off to a strong start in the opening quarter and built on that lead throughout the game to knock off visiting Sharon. Seniors Brayden Sullivan (21 points), Jack Rudolph, and Steven Karayan each hit a three in the opening frame to help the Panthers race out to a 17-9 lead. Sullivan added eight more in the second and senior Chris Edgehill (15 points) connected from three as the Panthers pushed the lead to double-digits, 33-22, at half. Sharon kept pace in the third, down 46-35, but Franklin put the game away with an 18-point fourth quarter. Declan Walmsey added 10 points for Franklin. Andrew Burton led Sharon with 14 points while Aidan Kane added 10 points.

North Attleboro, 60 @ Mansfield, 65 – Final – Mansfield nearly doubled up on North Attleboro in the first half but had to convert key free throws in the final seconds to hold off a second half comeback from the Rocketeers. The Hornets built 33-17 lead at halftime behind a 20-point second quarter but North Attleboro made it interesting with a 20-point third and then a 23-point fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to just one in the final minute of play. Sophomore Brody Rosenberg (17 points, all in the second half) drained a three and hit a pair of free throws to make it a four point game and North’s full court press paid off as junior George Ladd (27 points) got a steal and a layup to make it 59-57. Mansfield junior Matt Boen (17 points) made a pair of free throws with 34 seconds left to make it 61-57 but Rosenberg answered with a three to make it 61-60. Sam Stevens (23 points) hit a pair from the free throw line to push the lead back to three and North was just off the mark on the tying three and Boen hit two more from the line in the final seconds to get the win 65-60.

Stoughton, 63 @ Taunton, 73 – Final – Click here for a recap of this game.










Girls Basketball
Attleboro, 67 @ Milford, 43 – Final – Four players scored in double figures for a balanced Attleboro attack. Nyah Thomas was the top scorer for the visitor with 18 points, but Liv McCall also had 15 and Emma Reilly and Meghan Gordon both put in 11. Emma Lawrence led the Hawks with 18 points and Jillian Michelson chipped in with 14.

Oliver Ames, 50 @ Canton, 67 – Final – Canton trailed by two points at the half, but turned things around with a dominant second half, outscoring the Tigers 40-21 after the break. The Bulldogs held OA to just three points in the fourth quarter and shot 10-of-17 from three-point range to pull the upset. Kiara Cerruti was the game’s top scorer with 20 points for Canton. Sydney Gallery had 14 and Fay Gallery added 13, while Samya DaSilva scored 11 and Kayla Albert finished with nine. Caroline Peper led a shorthanded OA squad with 19 and Kelsey Yelle had 10 points.

King Philip, 48 @ Foxboro, 69 – Final – Foxboro won for the second straight game, as Katelyn Mollica scored a game-high 25. Yara Fawaz added 12 points and Shakirah Ketant had 10 in the win. Abby Hassman continued to be a force on the glass, pulling down 13 rebounds.

Franklin, 53 @ Sharon, 20 – Final – Franklin put in another full-team effort to get the win on the road. Ten Panthers scored in the game, led by Ali Brigham’s 12. Nicole Teven and Trinity Payne each scored five to lead the Eagles.

Mansfield, 58 @ North Attleboro, 71 – Final – Amanda Kaiser and North Attleboro roared out to a huge first quarter and rode that big lead to victory. North led 30-12 after eight minutes, as Kaiser knocked down five threes and scored 17 of her 20 points in the first. Mansfield was able to cut the lead to 11 at the half by scoring 21 points in the second and switching to a box-and-one to try and slow Kaiser down, but North kept the lead at double digits after the third and won the fourth to seal the victory. Summer Doherty, Regan Fein, and Eliza Dion all scored a dozen points for North. “We came out aggressive from the jump and Amanda was hitting everything,” said North coach Nikki Correia. “I am so proud of how hard they battled and played for four quarters tonight on both ends!”

Taunton, 60 @ Stoughton, 68 – Final – Click here for a Recap and Photo Gallery from this game.

Girls Gymnastics
Attleboro, 126.10 @ Canton, 116.40 – Final
Attleboro, 126.10 @ Sharon, 100.35 – Final
Canton, 116.40 @ Sharon, 100.35 – Final

Results:
Vault: 1. Stella Krawiec, Att – 8.6 | 2. Aly Legere, Att – 8.0 | 3. Ali Dennehy/Amanda Burns, Att – 7.9
Bars: 1. A. Legere, Att – 7.4 | 2. S. Krawiec, Att – 7.3 | 3. A. Dennehy, Att – 7.2
Beam: 1. Talia Aidlin-Perlman, Sha – 8.2 | 2. S. Krawiec/Parker Sweeney, Att – 8.0 | 3. Lauren Raffa, Att – 7.8
Floor: 1. Erin Glearson, Att – 8.8 | 2. A. Burns, Att – 8.7 | 3. T. Aidlin-Perlman, Sha – 8.6

Sunday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 01/12/20

Today’s games are listed below.

Boys Basketball
Canton, 51 vs. Norwood, 43 – Final – For the second time this season, Canton used a second half turnaround to knock off Norwood. Down 24-21 at halftime, the Bulldogs dominated the third quarter to the tune of 18-5 to take a lead it never relinquished. Junior Eric Mischler scored eight of his team-high 20 points in the third quarter to help the Bulldogs jump ahead. Kyle Fitzgerald had all 11 of his points after the halftime break while sophomore Lanse Dorcelus hit one of his two threes in the pivotal third quarter. Matt Giglio finished with 10 points in the win.

Milford, 80 vs. Paulo Freire, 65 – Final – Milford juniors Ben Blanchard, Jordan Darling, and Dom Schofield each scored in double figures as the Hawks scored a season-high 80 points in a win over visiting Paulo Freire. Blanchard tied a career-high with 28 points, connecting on seven three pointers including four trifectas in the third quarter. Darling scored nine of his 19 points in the opening quarter as the Scarlet Hawks built a 20-13 lead through eight minutes of action. Schofield netted a career-high 18 points, hitting a pair of three-pointers while scoring 11 of Milford’s 14 second quarter points.

Girls Basketball
Canton, 67 vs. Brookline, 38 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. The Bulldogs broke the game open with a 10-0 run in the first quarter to jump ahead by 15 and never looked back to win their second game in a row. Kiara Cerruti scored 18 of her game-high 20 points in the first half, burying five three-pointers to help Canton put the game away before the break. Sydney Gallery had a big third quarter, scoring eight of her 14 points, including a corner three in the final seconds of the third that kept Canton up by 21 heading into the final eight minutes. Fay Gallery scored seven of her 11 points in the second half and showed off her all-around game with nine rebounds and four assists. Canton also dominated on the glass, with Cerruti pulling down nine boards, Lilah Milton (six points) grabbing seven, and Kayla Albert (six points) collecting a game-high 12 rebounds. Freshman Han Hong scored her first career points in the fourth quarter.

Boys Gymnastics
Attleboro, 153.8 vs. Lowell, 123.6 – Final – Attleboro’s Shawn Trombley took first on the floor, Jacob Mammoli and Anthony Hoyt shared the top spot on the rings, and Andrae Butler was first in four events as the Bombardiers knocked off Lowell. Trombley scored a 7.9 for first on the floor, Mammoli and Hoyt each received a first place score of 6.7 on the rings, and Butler won the pommel horse, the highbar, the parallel bars, and the vault.

Results:
Floor – 1. Shawn Trombley, Att – 7.9 | 2. Andrae Butler, Att – 7.2 | 3. Thomas Russo, Att – 7.1
Pommel Horse – 1. A. Butler, Att – 6.3 | 2. S. Trombley, Att – 5.4
Highbar – 1. A. Butler, Att – 8.4 | 2. S. Trombley, Att – 7.2 | 3. Jacob Mammoli, Att – 5.3
Parallel Bars – 1. A. Butler, Att – 7.8 | 2. S. Trombley, Att – 7.1 | 3. J. Mammoli, Att – 6.9
Vault – 1. A. Butler, Att – 9.2 | 2. J. Mammoli, Att – 8.0 | J. Mammoli, Att – 7.4
Rings – T1 J. Mammoli, Att – 6.7 | T1. Anthony Hoyt, Att – 6.7 | 3. A. Butler, Att – 6.0

Foxboro Controls the Paint to Win Big at Canton

Foxboro girls basketball
Foxboro senior forward Abby Hassman was one of three Warriors to grab double digit rebounds, as they controlled the paint in a big win at Canton. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

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CANTON, Mass. – It was not a great shooting night for Foxboro and leading scorer Katelyn Mollica was held to only three made baskets by the Canton defense (especially the attentions of guards Carly Fitzgerald and Marissa Staffiere). In other seasons that could have led to a long evening and potentially a tough loss to a division rival, but this year the Warriors can dominate in the paint as well as the perimeter.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Foxboro had three players grab double digit rebounds, controlling the glass on both ends of the floor, and ran away in the second half to earn a 65-33 win over last year’s division runner-up. The defending league champions now have an early two-game lead in the Davenport standings.

“We talked about how they had more offensive rebounds than we did rebounds for the whole game combined,” said Canton coach JIm Choquette after the game. “It’s a detail about boxing out and doing their job individually. It’s a shared responsibility, it’s on all of us to get better. As coaches, it’s something we need to stress more at practice.”

Despite the big win, Foxboro coach Lisa Downs was less than enthusiastic about her team’s play, calling for a better effort on the defensive end.

“We were giving them way too many foul shots and we should’ve learned from what was being called in the first quarter,” she said. “We didn’t react well to that. I know what their potential is and to see them almost take a step back tonight from what we did against Concord-Carlisle is frustrating.”

Over the weekend, the Warriors started the game against Concord-Carlisle with a 27-0 run that essentially put the game away after eight minutes. Canton made sure that wouldn’t happen again, scoring the first five points of the game. A Sydney Gallery (10 points and six rebounds) basket and a three from Fay Gallery (eight points) made it 5-0 early on.

It took a couple of minutes to get going, but Foxboro turned the game on its head quickly, scoring the final 14 points of the first quarter and 16 straight overall to grab control.

A great outlet pass by Shakirah Ketant (13 points and 11 boards) set up Abby Hassman (six points and 12 boards) for a layup and then Lizzy Davis (11 points) grabbed an offensive board to keep a possession alive that ended in a Yara Fawaz (eight points and 10 rebounds) three. Davis added a three after a Jordyn Collins rebound and then scored on a drive to close the quarter.

Downs praised Hassman’s overall contribution. The senior added two blocks and four steals to her scoring and rebounding. “She’s probably my most consistent player,” Downs explained. “Mollica is always going to have her good nights and get her points even if she’s not shooting well, but Abby is just lights out with defense and rebounding and it’s the same thing night-in, night-out.”

Canton tried to mount a comeback at the start of the second. Sydney Gallery knocked down a shot off a pass by Lilah Milton and Kiara Cerruti (six points) got on the board with a jumper. The Bulldogs got as close as five but a Ketant putback and a stepback three by Mollica (13 points, 6-of-6 from the line) got Foxboro’s lead back to double digits.

“When we handled the press and got into the half-court sets and rushed, we were atrocious,” Choquette noted. “When we handled the press and got into our sets, I think we scored every time that we ran a play. We talked about the discipline of being able to do that for four quarters because there was a 10-minute gap where we’d break the press and jack up a shot as quick as you can.”

Leading 30-18 at the break, Foxboro came out of halftime ready to break the game wide open. The Warriors went on a 16-4 run. Davis scored the first basket and assisted on a bucket for Fawaz. Ketant scored in the post and then Mollica got back-to-back baskets, the second coming off another offensive rebound by Fawaz.

“Defensively, I think we had a decent game plan in terms of guarding Katelyn and we also stressed sticking with so many of their other players,” said Choquette. “Some things we did well defensively in the first half, we got away from in the second half and a little inexperience where everyone is trying to play catchup.”

The Bulldogs found it tough get going offensively. Fay Gallery hit a stepback three, Kayla Albert got a putback, and freshman Samya DaSilva hit a runner, but that was all that Canton got in the third and went into the final eight minutes down by 22.

Foxboro kept its foot on the gas in the fourth. Ketant was a force in the paint, scoring seven points in the quarter, Davis grabbed a steal and layup, and Morgan Sylvestre came off the bench to score four points.

“With Shakirah in there, it just adds a whole new dimension,” said Downs about adding an element of post play to the offense. “Teams have to pay attention to her.”

Foxboro (4-0) will be back home on Friday night when it faces Milford. Canton (1-3) will look to end its three-game losing streak when it hosts Stoughton.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.