DANVERS — Courtesy of an excellent displaying on protection, Bishop Fenwick is headed again to the Division 3 ladies basketball Last 4.
High-seeded Fenwick (18-5) didn’t permit some extent within the last 11 minutes of the sport, sporting down Pentucket in a 39-23 quarterfinals victory at St. John’s Prep.
“That was a workforce effort on protection,” mentioned senior Caitlin Boyle (4 factors, 10 rebounds, 2 assists). “We introduced the depth.”
Pentucket (18-6) practically performed spoiler. Coached by John McNamara, who lately celebrated win No. 400, the eighth-seeded Panthers saved the sport inside attain for the primary 24 minutes. It was a four-point lead for Fenwick after one (16-12), which the Crusaders then prolonged to 6 on the half (22-16).
Pentucket saved its greatest basketball for the third quarter, reducing the deficit to 5 (28-23) and totally believing that there was an opportunity to steal the win.
“We had been precisely the place we needed,” mentioned McNamara. “We had been limiting an explosive workforce, however we couldn’t rating within the fourth. Give Fenwick credit score. They confirmed why they’re the highest workforce within the state.”
The fourth quarter belonged to Fenwick senior Celia Neilson. She scored seven of her game-high 17 within the last body, including eight rebounds and 5 assists to a stellar all-around efficiency. Neilson was a part of the Fenwick workforce that misplaced within the state finals throughout her freshman season, and she or he is virtually prepared her workforce to return to the championship.
“We obtained to the state title freshman 12 months, then we had been banned the following 12 months,” mentioned Neilson, referring to a controversial school-wide ban from the state playoffs through the 2023-24 season. “Now it seems like a full-circle second. We’re just one win away from getting again.”
Fenwick suffered the infraction on account of athlete eligibility violations from the baseball program. That had completely nothing to do with ladies basketball, but that ban from the MIAA wiped away a possible state title for this system. However Fenwick coach Adam DeBaggis and his crew didn’t cry foul, as an alternative, they saved working.
Two years later, Fenwick is one recreation away from enjoying for the state championship.
“This program has been by way of loads, so that is very significant for our seniors and our complete workforce,” mentioned DeBaggis. “And our effort on protection was the distinction. You possibly can’t at all times management the ball entering into, however we are able to management our protection. I’m very happy with the entire workforce.”
Fenwick strikes onto play fourth-seeded Medway for the fitting to play within the state title. With the burden of the playoffs squarely on their shoulders, it was refreshing for the Crusaders to obtain a spark of vitality from freshman Taisha Castillo, who was a menace on each side of the ground.
“I saved interested by this second,” mentioned Castillo (6 factors, 3 steals), who missed the final month of the season with a concussion. “The wait was killing me. I like enjoying with my teammates. We’re actually in our component after we’re they out collectively, and I can’t wait to see what occurs subsequent.”
