Rallies late to edge Hamilton-Wenham in consolation game of Patton Tournament
GRACE HURLEY, a junior guard (#15), scored nine points including two clutch free throws which wound up being the difference as the Warrior girls’ hoop team edged Hamilton-Wenham, 44-43, in the consolation game of the Patton Tournament.
(Donna Larsson File Photo)
SOUTH HAMILTON — The start of any game is important but sometimes it’s how you finish a contest that really matters.
The Wakefield Memorial High girls’ basketball team rallied from a seven point deficit with two and half minutes left to edge Hamilton-Wenham by a 44-43 score in the consolation round of the second annual General Patton Tournament which was held on Wednesday night at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School.
The Warriors finished the regular season with a 12-8 overall record and will wait for the state tournament pairings to be announced tomorrow to find out the details of their first postseason game.
The Warriors tied the game on a layup by senior forward Daniella Iannuzzi (10 points). Wakefield then took the lead on a pair of clutch free throws by junior guard Grace Hurley (nine points).
Wakefield led by four points after the Hurley free throws and held on as the Generals tried to overtake the Warriors. But in the end, Wakefield hung on for the victory.
Senior guard Nicole Galli (five points), senior guard Amanda Boulter (four points) and junior forward Gaby Joly (seven points) also made key fourth quarter baskets which helped Wakefield’s cause.
“We had a tough shooting night,” said Coach Meghan O’Connell. “Our defense was big and we were able to convert down the other end late. It was an exciting game.”
Wakefield took a 6-4 lead after one quarter but Hamilton-Wenham stayed close. At halftime, Wakefield was in front, 17-13. By the end of three, the Generals had taken the lead, 29-26, most as a result of several three-point shots falling.
Hamilton-Wenham stayed in front and held the lead until Wakefield rallied late mostly due to the efforts of its seniors. Iannuzzi scored six of her 10 points in the fourth quarter, Boulter and Galli each scored half of their points in the final quarter and Hurley came up big late from the charity stripe. It also helped that the Warriors had several stops on the defensive end as well.
Also, senior forward Jill Raso scored five points, while senior guard Mackenzie Collins and junior forward Julia Derendal each recorded a basket. Also playing in the game was junior guard Mia Joyce.
Jacqueline Phibbe led Hamilton-Wenham with 12 points including four three-pointers.
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General Patton Tournament
At Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School
Consolation Round
WAKEFIELD 44, Hamilton-Wenham 43
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WAKEFIELD (44) — Boulter 2 0 4; Iannuzzi 4 2 10; Galli 1 3 5; Raso 1 2 5; Joly 3 1 7; Hurley 2 4 9; Collins 1 0 2; Derendal 1 0 2; Joyce 0 0 0. Totals 15 12 44.
Hamilton-Wenham (43) — Schwinn 2 1 5; Vivenzio 2 0 5; J. Phibbe 4 0 12; Eager 1 1 3; Phibbe 3 3 9; Domoracki 1 0 3; Kirschner 2 0 4; Szady 1 0 2. Totals 16 15 43.
Score by Quarters — WAKEFIELD 6-11-9-18 — 44. Hamilton-Wenham 4-9-16-14 — 43.
Three-point FGs — Wak, Raso 1, Hurley 1. H-W, Phibbe 4, Vivenzio 1, Domoracki 1.
