Published in the March 7, 2018 edition
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
TEWKSBURY — The Div. 2 North semifinal girls’ basketball game between Wakefield and Wilmington tomorrow night, 7 p.m. at Tewksbury High is shaping up to be one of the best matchups thus far in the tournament. After all, how many times do you get a rubber match between two division rivals on a stage this big?
The Warriors and Wildcats will shovel their own way into Tewksbury High School tomorrow night if they have to. If the first two games are any indication, this one will be worth the work.
Wakefield beat Wilmington in the first matchup on Jan. 9, 51-47, at Wilmington High. The Wildcats returned the favor with a 45-42 road win of their own on Feb. 9.
“Playing a league opponent in the state tournament definitely presents a different set of problems,” said Wakefield head coach Jason Pavey. “One of the nice things about the tournament is you usually play a non-league opponent so there’s the chance you could surprise them. Sometimes what you see on film and then how a team plays in a game doesn’t translate. With Wilmington, they know us and we know them. It’s going to be about who has the will to execute and be disciplined.”
JASON PAVEY has led the Warriors to a 17-5 record and another D2N semifinal appearance in his first year as head coach. (Donna Larsson Photo)
The Warriors’ win at Wilmington kept their perfect season alive as their record went to 8-0 following a gritty performance in a tough environment. The Wildcats responded by spoiling Senior Night for Wakefield on Feb. 9. The Warriors held a 10-point lead in the third and a seven-point lead heading into the fourth quarter during that game, before Wilmington shut out the Wakefield offense in the final frame on their way to a three-point win.
After that game, coach Pavey talked about Wakefield playing not to lose rather than playing to win, so expect the Warriors to take a more aggressive late-game approach in this one.
Wilmington may have shut down Wakefield in that game, but the Warriors should be just fine on offense if their defense continues to be stout. Wakefield gave up only 30 points against Burlington in the first round and 37 against North Reading in the quarters. Wilmington on the other hand has been flying on offense, scoring 53 against Saugus in the first round and 64 against top-seeded Lynn Classical in the quarterfinals.
If Wakefield is to win this one, they will need an answer for Wilmington senior Caroline Andersen. Andersen, who provides a dominant presence in the paint for the Wildcats, scored 17 in Wilmington’s win over Wakefield and dropped 21 against Classical on Saturday. The Warriors will need good help defense to aid the likes of Allee Purcell and Hannah Butler who will be defending the rim. Another factor to keep in mind is limiting the fouls, as Anderson scored 17 of her points against Classical from the free throw line.
Wakefield’s senior starters including Purcell, Hailey Lovell, Hannah Dziadyk, Olivia Dziadyk and Ally Coggswell have been proving all season why it pays off to have leaders who have been through countless tough battles in the Middlesex League. The same can be true for Wilmington, who’s height and senior toughness doesn’t stop at Andersen as Morgan Bresnahan will also provide a matchup problem for Wakefield.
“Wilmington is really well-coached and those kids play very hard,” said Pavey. They are led by a group of seniors who have done a great job competing in the Middlesex League over the years. Wilmington is a team built around their post players and height, but they also have athletic guards who get after it defensively and can knock down open shots. I was not the least bit surprised to see them knock off the No. 1 seed Lynn Classical.”
While the Warriors have certainly been game-planning for Wilmington’s strengths, probably since Saturday night after they beat North Reading, they should keep in mind that they are a nightmare to prepare for too. Wakefield’s perimeter defense forces a ton of turnovers and they have shooters who can space the floor for some excellent slashers.
The Warriors made it to the semifinals last year as well, before a heartbreaking one-point loss against Hamilton-Wenham ended their season. It’s typically a tough act to balance, but somehow you want to forget a game like that and also allow it to motivate you.
“We’ve tried to really treat this year differently from last year, but at the end of the day, we have everyone back from last year’s team,” said Pavey. “I think last year has probably motivated us, but we really don’t talk about it. We’ve moved on and are just looking to play one game at a time. It just so happens we’re back to the same round as last year.”
No matter what happens tomorrow night, one thing will be as certain as the poor conditions. You won’t want to miss this one.
“They are focused but also really excited,” said Pavey of his team’s current state of mind. “The high school basketball tournament offers a great atmosphere and our kids love being a part of it.”
