ORWELL – In latest years, there have been two clear juggernauts in South Shore League in the case of discussing ladies basketball.
Those applications would occur to be Norwell and Rockland, a pair of colleges which have developed a storied, but fierce rivalry as neighboring communities.
On Tuesday, followers acquired to witness the newest chapter of the feud, and Maddy Hermenau turned the latest determine to depart an imprint on its historical past. The senior guard matched a team-high with 17 factors, pacing the Bulldogs to a formidable 59-45 victory over the Clippers on the highway.
“I think the whole team just wants to come in here and do what we do best,” Hermenau stated afterward. “Just play our defense, (run) our offense well. Execute, have good passes. Basically the whole game, we (performed) perfect on every single thing. I think the whole team feels really good about it.”
Entering the sport, Norwell had been listed because the fifth-ranked workforce within the MIAA’s newest slate of Div. 3 energy rankings. Meanwhile, Rockland adopted go well with at No. 6, setting the stage for a highly-anticipated bout between the 2 foes.
The Bulldogs (10-2) confirmed no intimidation in anyway to start out, as Hermenau teamed up with freshman standout Zariah Ottley to attain a mixed 16 factors within the opening quarter alone, serving to Rockland seize an early 20-10 lead.
Later on with 16 seconds remaining within the first half, Hermenau drove the lane, then completed a layup by way of contact to offer the Bulldogs a 31-22 benefit on the break.
She wasn’t completed. With about 4:50 to play within the third quarter, Hermenau discovered herself with the ball as soon as once more after amassing a move from senior captain Maggie Elie. She spun round a defender, then threw up a prayer shot as she soared previous the ring. The try rolled house, as Rockland constructed a 36-24 lead.
“I’ve done that move before,” Hermenau joked afterward. “I’m just like: ‘Oh no, what am I doing right now?’ I just hope it goes in eventually.”
From that second ahead, the Bulldogs saved management of the tempo, constructing a lead as massive as 50-30 earlier than slowing issues down within the closing minutes of regulation.
Ottley additionally completed with 17 factors together with Hermenau to guide Rockland, whereas senior captain Sydney Blaney tacked on 10 factors herself.
Madison Oliver registered a team-high 18 factors to go together with six rebounds for Norwell (11-2).
Like most South Shore League followers, Clippers coach Matthew Marani seen Tuesday’s tilt as a litmus check for the place he workforce at present stands, now an annual custom of types inside the rivalry. For now, it’s again to the drafting board for Norwell, which is able to look to get again to its successful methods later this week.
“It wasn’t one difference,” stated Marani. “They really beat us in every phase of the game. On the offensive end, in transition, defensive end, on the glass, coaching…all of it. They beat us. They were the more prepared team, and they executed at a higher level.”
While Rockland coach Diana Newcomb was thrilled along with her workforce’s newest effort, the victory was solely a stepping stone in what she finally hopes can be one other lengthy playoff run by way of the Div. 3 discipline.
“Honestly, I haven’t even looked at the power rankings,” stated Newcomb. “I only know where we are because people say it, people mention it and talk about it. The power rankings, again, only at Game 12, they change weekly…it’s too early for me to even think about that. We have enough left in the regular season that I need to concentrate on before we look at anything postseason-wise.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com
