PEABODY – Rating spherical one in favor of Bishop Fenwick.
In a battle of undefeated women basketball groups, Fenwick protected its house ground, defeating St. Mary’s of Lynn, 55-46, in a back-and-forth sport that was determined within the fourth quarter.
Fenwick (6-0) saved its greatest basketball for the ultimate body, with senior captains Celia Neilson and Caitlin Boyle imposing their will on St. Mary’s (7-1) during the last eight minutes.
“Composure is the phrase we’ve used all week,” mentioned Fenwick coach Adam DeBaggis. “That’s what received us the sport – our endurance, seeing the lure and passing by it, the again door cuts, all of which may be very onerous in opposition to a crew as gifted as St. Mary’s. However we stayed composed underneath stress.”
Regardless of this being their first assembly of the season, there’s a wealthy historical past between these Catholic Central rivals. St. Mary’s celebrated a state title at Fenwick’s expense in 2023, which was when Neilson and Boyle had been ninth graders – and each nonetheless bear in mind the bitter feeling of defeat.
“It’s one of the best feeling to beat your rival, particularly since they’re those that beat us for the state title throughout our freshman yr,” mentioned Neilson (22 factors, 4 rebounds, 7 assists). “This can be a nice win for us, and I like taking part in with this crew. We glance out for one another like one massive household – and I like taking part in with Caitlin. She’s my greatest pal.”
Teammates since center college journey league, Nelson and Boyle make an outstanding duo on the ground. Each are prolific scorers, but their playmaking means is what elevates them to the subsequent tier. That was on full show within the fourth, giving a younger St. Mary’s crew matches with their means to search out one another each time a hoop was wanted.
“St. Mary’s is our rival, so clearly this implies rather a lot,” mentioned Boyle (18 factors, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks), who performs each the purpose and the put up at 6-foot-2. “There was a variety of power and emotion as a result of they’re our rival, however we actually targeted on simply taking part in our sport.”
This was bodily from the soar. St. Mary’s grabbed an early four-point result in begin the sport, but that didn’t final. Fenwick completed the quarter on a 10-0 run, taking a 14-8 benefit after one. The frenetic tempo continued within the second quarter, however St. Mary’s narrowed the hole, turning a seven-point deficit right into a tie earlier than Fenwick pulled forward, 22-19, on the half.
A turnover-fest ensued within the third quarter, with neither crew capable of maintain onto the ball. Fenwick led by a degree, 32-31, after three, and that was when Neilson and Boyle seized full management. The senior duo mixed for 18 factors – three greater than St. Mary’s – within the fourth.
“Generally it is advisable lose to study,” mentioned St. Mary’s coach Jeff Newhall. “We’ve performed some excellent basketball to date this season, and we’ve beat some powerful groups. However we weren’t prepared for this one. That’s on me, too. This was uncharacteristic of us, however give Fenwick credit score.”
Throughout key stretches of the sport, Newhall performed three freshmen (McKenna O’Connell, Sysy Emmanuel, and Jaylin Frye), a sophomore (Charleigh Inexperienced), and a senior (Sky Watson), placing full belief in his gamers. It paid dividends – with O’Connell (10 factors, 6 rebounds) and Emmanuel (8 factors, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals) taking part in wonderful basketball, and getting senior management from Jillian Roberts (8 factors, 5 steals), even when the ultimate rating didn’t finish of their desired final result.
The groups will meet in Lynn for the rematch on the finish of the month. Till then, there may be loads of work to be completed.
“We now have a really powerful stretch arising, starting with a street sport at Archbishop Williams,” mentioned DeBaggis. “It’s nice to get this win, however now it’s again to apply to organize for the subsequent one.”
