As the highschool basketball season barrels in the direction of the midway level, Newburyport’s dominance is not possible to disregard.
Led by the senior trio of MaKenna Ward, Emma Foley, and Deirdre McElhinny and stalwart protection, Newburyport is 10-0 and 7-0 in Cape Ann League play.
That features a 17-point win over perennial contender and league foe Pentucket.
“We have three seniors in MaKenna, Emma, and Deirdre that have just done the work to get better,” Clippers head coach Karen Grutchfield stated. “They play really hard and inspire the younger kids.”
Ward has developed right into a standout level guard, main the group in assists and steals. Foley is the group’s chief in factors and rebounds as one of many premier forwards; she had 20 factors in opposition to the Panthers. And McElhinny helps the Clippers stretch the ground along with her outdoors taking pictures.
Olivia McDonald has emerged as a premier defensive participant, usually checking the opponent’s finest scoring possibility. Newburyport has solely given up 30 factors or extra in a recreation twice and is permitting 24 factors per recreation on common.
“I love defense. I get so inspired by our girls and the way they play at that end of the floor,” Grutchfield stated. “Olivia McDonald’s effort has a lot to do with that. She’s relentless. If you play really good defense in women’s basketball you can get transition baskets and layups and we’ve done that.”
Potential roadblocks stay for the Clippers. In addition to a second time by the league they’re set to make a journey to Div. 1 state title contender Wachusett on Friday and will face off with St. Mary’s Lynn on the finish of the season.
“We try to emphasize that every day is important. Every game you have to find ways to improve,” Grutchfield stated. “It’s arrogant to take anyone for granted. We have to get better if we want to get to where we want to get to by season’s end.”
Looking forward
On Friday, the MIAA launched its first slate of winter energy rankings masking largely the primary half of schedules. While the format for the event stays the identical as a yr in the past the venues used for the state semifinals are anticipated to vary. During Wednesday’s MIAA Basketball Committee assembly, event director Jim Quatromoni confirmed that a lot of websites each on the school and highschool stage are into consideration relying on matchups throughout the 5 divisions.
The Tsongas Center in Lowell is anticipated to as soon as once more host the state finals.
Talbot’s milestone
The week offered loads of purpose to rejoice for Dracut’s Ashlee Talbot. On Monday night time, Talbot scored her 1,000th profession level as a part of a 36-point barrage to steer Dracut previous Central Catholic, 60-45. Her 1,000th level got here with seven minutes left within the recreation when her left-handed end gave the Middies a double digit benefit. Talbot will proceed her taking part in profession at St. Michael’s within the fall.
Source: www.bostonherald.com