The Norton 6th Grade Girls Basketball Team won the Silver Bracket to claim Norton’s first Division 1 Travel State Champion Title. Norton entered the State Tournament representing Metro West as the Division 1 League Champions.
The team consists of Kirsten Loring and Kassidy Fields at center, Michelle Belcher and Jacqueline Conroy at power forward, Rachael Johnson at point forward, Christina Phillips at small forward, Minea McGrath and Sara Cross at the two guard and Sarah John and Madi Saba at point guard. Head coach is John Conroy assisted by Eric Johnson and Chris John.
The Girls lost the opening round to Methuen (River Valley League Champions) 27-25 in a back and forth game. Methuen had great size and the Norton Girls did well being patient and getting the ball inside vs. Methuen’s 2/3 Zone. Rachael Johnson and Kassidy Fields had 6 points apiece while Christina Phillips hit 2 jump shots and Sara John a three during the 4th quarter to keep it a one score game. Norton had the ball for the final 10 seconds and missed a shot at the buzzer that would have forced overtime.
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Norton then beat Groton-Dunstable (Central Mass League Champions) in the second round moving them to the final bracket of play on Sunday. Kassidy Fields (8), Sarah John (6), Jacqueline Conroy (6), Rachael Johnson (4) and Kirsten Loring (2) accounted for the scoring while Michelle Belcher helped Norton control the boards in a 15 point win.
On Sunday Norton started with Monomoy (Cape Cod league Champions) and rolled to a 39-16 victory. Rachael Johnson had 13, Jacqueline Conroy (7), Kassidy Fields (6), Kirsten Loring (5) while Sarah John, Michelle Belcher, Minea McGrath and Christina Phillips had buckets during a big run that put the game away. Sara Cross and Madi Saba had several steals in an overall strong defensive effort holding Monomoy to only 16 points.
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In the State final Norton faced Metro West League rival Westwood. Norton was in control of the game from start to finish winning 28-21. Again Norton’s defense was tremendous as Sarah John and Madi Saba pressured the Westwood guards throughout. Sarah John (12), Rachael Johnson (7), Kassidy Fields (5) and Jacqueline Conroy (4) accounted for the scoring. Kirsten Loring and the other Norton forwards had several blocked shots and steals and along with Michelle Belcher and Christina Phillips help Norton control the boards and limit Westwood’s offensive opportunities.
The Norton Girls recently captured their second Metro West Division 1 Championship and now have a State Championship to add to their growing list of accomplishments.