OA Girls' Basketball Advances to Walpole Tourney Finals With Convincing Win Over Norwell

The Oliver Ames girls' basketball team has a solid recipe for success.

Start with a stifling 1-2-2 press - with the outstretched arms of co-captain Candace Steadman at the top - shutting down the other team's point guard and initiating the trap.

Add a great transition game, highlighted by Steadman's speed, guard Asia Mitchell's eyes for the court and forward Caitlyn Abela's shooting abilities.

Top it off with a well-disciplined defense, experienced leadership from the likes of co-captain Emily Romans, and a bench that never fails to contribute.

Never was the Tigers' recipe more apparent than Tuesday night in their Walpole Tournament opening round win over 10-5 Norwell, 57-29.

While Norwell tried to take away Steadman and Abela, OA's two biggest scorers, the Tigers didn't stumble.

"Ultimately, they tried the triangle and two and what I said to them at the end of the game was that the thing I was most proud of is that it was such a team effort," OA coach Elaine Clement-Holbrook said.

Despite a defense focused on her, Abela finished with 25 points without stepping on the court in the fourth quarter. Mitchell ended the game with 9 points and Steadman finished with 8.

Most of OA's points were scored in transition.

"We got the press working and that really got things going," Clement-Holbrook said.

Leading,15-8 after the first quarter, OA outscored the Clippers 19-1 in the second quarter, taking a 34-9 lead into the half.

The big lead allowed Clement-Holbrook to rest her starters and get significant contributions from her bench.

"We had a lot of deflections defensively and a lot more shots that should have gone in that didn’t go in," Clement-Holbrook said. "We got really good contributions. I thought Kristen Ellis did a really good job off the bench. Kate Holleran did a good job, too."

Now 17-2 and on the fast track to a high seed in the Div. 2 State Tournament, the Tigers will have their hands full with one final test in the Walpole Tournament finals Wednesday night when they take on the 21-0 Medfield Warriors, who defeated Walpole 45-38 Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 7:45.