Old Rochester Regional girls’ basketball waited patiently for the chance to strike back at Apponequet after suffering a loss to the Lakers earlier in the season that gave the Bulldogs’ rival a seat atop the South Coast Conference Large division.
On Monday, they got their chance and struck back, winning 44-38 to tie Apponequet at 9-1 in the SCC, giving them a chance at the SCC title game against the SCC Small division at the season’s end. If both teams finish with the same conference record and the same record within the division, the SCC Large representative in the title game will come down to a coin toss.
But with a few games left on the schedule, there’s still a chance the Bulldogs could stand alone at season’s end. If there’s any chance of that happening, the Bulldogs will need continued strong efforts from the likes of Cassidy Yeomans and Mary Butler, who made their impact felt in the Monday win.
“Mary is a relentless rebounder,” ORR coach Bob Hohne said. “I think she’s one of the best athletes in South Coast Massachusetts. Her motor always keeps running.… She’s sort of our Dennis Rodman, I say. That’s basically how she plays. She can’t shoot from ten feet, but inside she can score and rebound.
“With Cassidy, she’s a marked girl. She’s averaging almost nineteen (points) a game. We’re trying to encourage the other girls to take their shots and that’s tough when you have someone who can score.”
Yeomans led the Bulldogs in the Monday matchup with 13 points. Butler finished right behind her with 10, but her work on the glass was remarkable, grabbing 19 rebounds with almost an even split on both sides of the ball (10 offensive rebounds).
“I’ve always played very aggressive and that usually results in getting rebounds,” Butler said. “Sometimes it gets me in foul trouble, but usually it helps.”
The Bulldogs will certainly need her efforts on the glass, as well as on defense, if they hope to have a chance at the conference championship game – and at making a run in the postseason.
Old Colony
Old Colony boys’ basketball clinched another playoff berth, the sixth consecutive under Coach Matt Trahan. The Cougars have now won double-digit games in all six seasons under Trahan, improving to 11-5 this year.
Their most recent win came in a nail-biter against Cape Cod Tech, where the Cougars won 65-64. Jake Jason led Old Colony with 33 points, while Zach Soucy finished with 17. Eleven of Jason’s 33 points came at the free throw line, where he was perfect on the night.
Old Colony girls’ basketball is also postseason bound with a 12-3 record. They made easy work of Cape Cod Tech in their Monday contest, winning 60-35. Savanna Halle was dominant for the Cougars, scoring 20 points, while Abby Cioper and Katherine Kirby both did well, scoring 14 each.
Tabor Academy
The Seawolves girls’ ice hockey team won its fourth straight with a 2-1 win over St. Mark’s School, moving to 14-4 on the season.
Kelly Browne scored Tabor’s first goal six minutes into the first period, with an assist from Liv Finocchiaro. Browne would score again in the first period, taking advantage of a St. Mark’s mis-clearance.
That would be enough for the Seawolves with St. Mark’s lone goal coming with 14 seconds left in the game, after St. Mark’s had pulled their goalie. Aside from that goal, Christine Steege was perfect on the night, finishing with 18 saves and helping improve her goals average to 1.70 on the year.
Tabor’s boys’ ice hockey team won their last contest 5-4 against the Noble and Greenough School. Peter Lombardi scored two goals in the effort for Tabor, while also assisting Owen Rudicus on the Seawolves first goal of the game. Cam Barbagallo also scored once for Tabor in the win.
High School Sports Update
By Nick Friar