Tewksbury's Version of March Madness Begins

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by the coaches and administrators of the Tewksbury Girls Basketball League.)

JUNIOR DIVISION—QUARTER-FINALS

MYSTICS 22 LYNX 10

In the first round of March Madness, the Mighty Mystics were able to come away with a win against a very large and very physical Lynx team. We knew this was going to be a hard game for us but the Mystics just keep finding different ways to win. Today it was all about passing the ball. They just continued to find the open players through great ball movement and were able to create offense against a very tough and very well coached Lynx team. The Mystics were fortunate to get the hard fought win. Now we get to move on and get ready for the Starzz. The Starzz are coming off a huge come from behind win in round one and will be a very tough opponent for us. The Mystics are very fortunate to have a team that is made up of girls that just have such a winning attitude and they just love to play ball. I have never seen a group of girls that want something more than this. They are focused and they will be ready for the real Madness to begin on March 12th!!!

The Lynx played a spirited game in the 1^st round of March Madness and although it was in a losing effort all team members should be proud. The Lynx played a very talented Mystics team and only trailed by 2 after one quarter and 4 points at the end of the 3^rd. Lauren Crupi had a couple of steals and played strong defense the whole game. Kendall Donahoe had a bucket and hustled down the court on offense. Carolyn Versackas rebounded and had some nice shots that just didn’t fall. Emily Woods (3 points) and Jessica Caredeo dribbled deep into the Mystics defense which created several opportunities. Lily Wyatt (3 points) had many shots and had a few steals and blocks as well. Grace Morris continued to improve on the defensive side with another steal to lead all 4^th graders on the team for the season. Lauren McIntyre had her best rebounding effort of the season pulling down 4 boards. Janine Richardson bothered the Mystics point guards all game and made some very nice passes.

STORM 12 SPARKS 8

Team Storm has continued their impressive turn around with their fourth win in a row. This time it was round one of March Madness. Christine Santos had perhaps her best game of the season scoring four points and pressuring the opposition on both offense and defense. Jessica Cacciolla killed it by adding four points in limited action. Stephanie Graffeo was her usual steady self as she controlled the point and added her two points. Bailey Carter rounded out the scoring with one point. Stefanie Cunningham, Devyn Veits, and Ashley Turri controlled the boards. Stephanie Lemus, Brigh Cote, Megan Graczyck, and Sammie Salvaggio were their usual steady selves. The Storm has developed this year into a really talented, cohesive unit front top to bottom and enter round two of March Madness really confident.

Scoring for the Sparks were Kerry Shea, Britney Bourassa, Abigail Naugler and Allison Pelligrino, all with 2 points each.

COMETS 23 MONARCH 13

 It was a dual to the end as we faced the defending champions Monarchs today. Both teams played with all their heart and put 200% into this game! Our offense was led by Emily Langone(8) and Allison Couillard(6). Both girls also made some key steals in the game which resulted in baskets for the team. Rounding out the scoring attack was Michaela Svendsen(4), Erin Gallella(4) and Lizzy Gallella(1)...all three also played top notch defense throughout limiting the Monarchs scoring attack. Leanne Durham was her usual well poised player, making great cuts into the key and had quick feet on defense. Felicia Ragucci was all business at the top of the key with her tiger like defense, making some great steals and causing turnovers. Rachel Conway had a fantastic play in the 3rd quarter as she stole the ball and made a solo run to the basket! Madison Bugley and Bridget Burgoyne both played their best game of the season....they both made some great shots on net and played a solid defensive game today! Defensive player honors will go to the whole Comets team!

Scoring for the Monarchs were Sydney Quinn (8 points), Haley Mignon (3 points) and Sarah Ciampa ( 2 points)

STARZZ 12 ROCKERS 9

Scoring for the Starzz were Isabelle Picher (8 points), Isabella Beyoune (2 points) and Marissa Ladderbush

(2 points.) Scoring for the Rockers were Sarah Bishop (4 points), Jocelyn Stavros (2 points), Hannah Maffeo (2 points.) and Sarah Constantino ( 1 point).

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION

PRELIMINARY ROUNDS—

EAGLES 21 FALCONS 14

The first quarter proved to be tough for the Eagles with Jennifer Campbell scoring the only two points in the quarter, ending the 1^st down by 6 points. Coming into the 2^nd quarter Alexandra Bourassa added two more points and Adrianna Faveau put up 7 points to end the half with the Eagles up by one point 11-10. Third quarter Shaylee Puleo added 2 more points for a one point lead again in the 3^rd Eagles up 13-12. The Eagles brought it home in the 4^th with Adrianna Faveau adding 8 more points to lead the team to a 21-14 game winner. Great defense and hustle by Megan Donohue, Samantha Surowiec, Katie Adelsberger, Jessica Liggiero, Marissa Doherty, and Geena Duffy.

WOLVERINES 18 TERRIERS 16

Scoring for the Wolverines were Amanda McGuiness (5 points.), Racheal Langone (4 points.), Erin Henry (4 points.), Katie Garcia (2 points.) and Rebecca Lewis (1 pt.)

Scoring for the Terriers were Megan Timmons (6 points.), Alexis Brinklow (6 points.), Kendall Spinelli (2 points.) and Rachel Kelly (2 points.).

QUARTER-FINALS

WAVES 22 JAYHAWKS 20

The Waves and Jayhawks played a terrific first round playoff game. The lead went back and forth, but in the end, the Waves pulled off the upset and defeated the previously undefeated Jayhawks. The final score was 22-20 Waves. Scoring for the Waves was Kirsten Dick, Melissa Markwarth, and Colleen MacNeil with 6 points each, Tayla LeGrand with 3 points, and Christina Noyes with 1 point. Defensive player of the game was Elizabeth Markwarth, although this was a total them defensive effort. Also playing great team defense was Alicia Moore, Amanda Ford, Amy Glover, and Lauren Riccardi. So now the 5^th seeded Waves get to continue on the tournament in two weeks. Great job girls!

The Jayhawks faced a tough Waves team in the first week of the March Madness tournament, and while they came oh so close, they couldn't come away with the win. Kacie Ellegood had her best game of the season - leading the team scoring with 8 points. Ari Nicosia hustled all game and chipped in 2 points. Andrea Doran and Emily Burns played great defense - getting back, and grabbing loose balls. Chelsey Pellegrino stopped many a fast break with her speed. The second line was led by Nicole Petherbridge with 5 points (some nice foul shots, and a great swish), Meg Braciska with a pretty 3 point play, and Sam Powers took a nice feed and put it up strong for two! Emily Saunders slowed down the Waves on offense, and Haley Marchant had many rebounds and loose balls. After 3 quarters, the Jayhawks had inched into a small lead - but they could not close the door on the Waves in the 4th - and came up 2 points shy. It was a great game by both teams, and I am very proud of the Jayhawks - girls you played great and we had a great season! The Jayhawks wish the Waves the best of luck as they move on in March Madness.

CARDINALS 27 EAGLES 24

The Cardinals played a solid game from start to finish to come away with a hard fought win in the 1^st round of March Madness. Each and every Cardinal should know that they contributed to the win on this day. The Eagles scored first but the Cardinals responded in the 1^st quarter to take a 10-4 lead. Through the next two quarters the Cardinals built an 8-10 point lead a few times only to have the Eagles respond to make it close again. With about 3 minutes to go in the game the Eagles closed the score to within 3. The rest of the game was back and forth between 3-5 points with the Eagles never quitting and the Cardinals able to respond with big buckets by Ashley Figucia (2), Emily Velozo (4) and Taylor Donahoe (3). As stated this was a team effort but the breakout game award goes to Shannon Vasas who scored 6 points (3 for 4 from the floor), was a force on the boards with 5 rebounds and even notched some steals. Great job Shannon! Olivia Powers was also tough fighting for rebounds and several times keeping the ball alive for her teammate to get it. Julia Noone fought hard for rebounds as well and defensively knocked some passes away. Sam Mercurio (4) harassed the guards all day and drained 2 out of 4 free throws. Sarah Sullivan (2) was great at finding open space in the Eagles defense with some nice jump shots from the top of the key. She also many times was aggressive at tying things up for a jump ball. Caitlin Carroll was dependable as ever with 4 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist. Tayla Spezzano besides playing fantastic defense with several bat-aways also sank her first free throw of the season. The Cardinals look forward to the rubber match against the Waves in the next round.

It was a tough fight to the finish for the Eagles in their final game of the season. Marissa Doherty puts up 2 points to put the Eagles on the board and Jennifer Campbell adding 1 point in a foul shot ending the 1^st quarter with the Eagles down by 7. Second quarter, Samantha Surowiec and Adrianna Favreau for 2 points each and Megan Donohue’s 1-point foul shot brought the Eagles with in 6 points ending the 2^nd quarter 14-8. Third quarter Marissa Doherty with 2 more points but the Cardinals pulled away leading at the end with of the third with a 10 point lead. In the 4^th quarter the Eagles gave the Cardinals a run for their money putting up 16 points, 8 points by Adrianna Favereau and 8 points by Megan Donohue. Despite, great rebounding efforts and defense by Jessica Leggiero, Shaylee Puleo, Geena Duffy, Katie Adelsberger and Alexandra Bourassa the Eagles ended their season only down by 3 points at the end of the game.

HUSKIES 26 COUGARS 20

 The Huskies played a very tough Cougars Team and pulled out a close victory. It was a very intense game with the Cougars staying close the entire game. Offensively the Huskies were led by Karalyn Gallella, Victoria Mirabito and Andrea DeFina. Defensive player of the game wasVictoria Mirabito. Kiley Barrett, Lisa DeVito, Stephanie Mchatton, Kayla Marshall, Sara Letourneau and Nicole Lucia played tough defense all game against a determined Cougars team. Steffanie DeLuca Gifford had some key passes and rebounds to help the team. The win helped the Huskies move in to the 2nd round of March Madness. Great job girls.

Scoring for the Cougars were Sarah Baptista (6 points.), Emily Walker (4 points.), Kiara Nash (4 points.), Delaney Chishom (2 points.), Niamh Cote (2 points.), and Samantha Alman ( 2 points.).

WILDCATS 28 WOLVERINES 16

Scoring for the Wildcats were Ally Kelly (8 points.), Janina Kennedy (8 points.), Julia Kelly (4 points.), Erin Davis ( 4 points.), Katherine Dunlevy (2 points.) and Shauna Danehy (2 points.).

Scoring for the Wolverines were Sarah Murray, Katie Garcia, Erin Henry, and Amanda McInnis, all with 4 points each.

SENIOR DIVISION QUARTERFINALS

PACERS 32 SONICS 22

The Pacers played total team ball in Week 1 of the March Madness Tournament beating a young and scrappy Sonics team 32-22. High Scorer and playing her best game of the year was Danielle Newhall with 10points, Amanda Brown and Caryle Slavin who had their outside shot working scored 7 points a piece, Lindsey Cossar chipped in with 4 points, while Jenn Maddaleni & Paige Walker closed out the scoring with 2 points. each. Haley Acconcia and Mackenze Pierce had great games in the # 5 position coming away with many key rebounds. Rachel Kelleher who continues to improve weekly had a great game defensively. Colleen Kelly and Erin Walsh were also instrumental in helping to secure the victory. Next up for the Pacers is the # 1 seed Magic.

The Sonics put up a good fight against the Pacers but the Pacers pulled away in the last quarter playing a tough press and causing big turn overs. Shannon Smith came up huge with 16 points and lots of big steals under the basket. Toni Joy sunk two for 4 points and Erica Dirk stopped and popped for 2 points from the floor. And that was it for the Sonics offense due to a relentless Pacers D.The Sonics D played well doing a good job keeping the Pacers out of the paint. Alexis Chaet fought real hard under the boards against a physical Pacers team and Marissa Conlin was everywhere playing D with high intensity earning them both defensive players of the game. Jenn Cobuccio did a great job of attacking the ball and creating turnovers. Monica Aronson did a great job on D and had a few nice shots that just didn't drop. Good luck in two weeks in the tournament, Pacers, and better luck next year Sonics!!!

BLAZERS 31 SPURS 20

Scoring for the Blazers were Ally Braciska (11 points.), Ariana Calouro (6 points.), Ashley Kelly (6 points.), Bridget Casey ( 4points.), and Lauren Strong (4 points.)

Scoring for the Spurs were Shannon McLaughlin (8 points.), Jamie Ray ( 3 points), Haley Golini (3 points.) , Kelsey Bradley ( 2 points. ), Jamie Fowler (2 points), and Devlin Frost (2 points).