TGBL 7A Travel Team Wins IAABO Tap-Off Tournament

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

Tewksbury 32 – Amesbury 4

The Tewksbury girls started the tournament off by overpowering Amesbury.  Scoring for Tewksbury was Francesca Cocca, Adrianna Favreau, Samantha Mercurio, Sara Catanzano, Katie Garcia, and Emily Sessa with 4 points each.  Scoring 2 points each was Alexis Brincklow, Victoria Mirabito, Marissa Doherty, and Kayla Von Kahle.  Julia Kelly played great perimeter defense and Colleen MacNeil had multiple blocked shots in the paint. 

Tewksbury 46 – Dracut 19

The Tewksbury girls really got their running game going in this contest, putting up 46 points in a fast paced game.  The transition offense and passing on the break was sensational.  Leading the scoring for Tewksbury was Adrianna Favreau with 8 points.  Samantha Mercurio and Julia Kelly had 7 points each, including a deep three pointer by Julia.  Emily Sessa had 6 points, Sara Catanzano, Marissa Doherty, and Victoria Mirabito had 4 points each, while Alexis Brincklow, Kayla Von Kahle, and Francesca Cocca had 2 points each.  Katie Garcia was her usual self on defense, running all over the place and deflecting every pass.  Colleen MacNeil continued to play tough interior defense, which led to the rest of the team getting the running game going.

Tewksbury 45 – Lowell 11

Despite an early morning Sunday start, the lady Redman played another great game.  The girls continue to play tough defense and to run their opponents off of the floor.  Lowell was the next opponent, and they were held to only 11 points.  Adrianna Favreau led all scorers with 13 points, including a three pointer.  Alexis Brincklow scored 8 points, all in the 2^nd half and all on follow ups after offense rebounds.  Scoring 6 points each was Sara Catanzano and Emily Sessa.  Julia Kelly continued her great shooting with another 5 points including another three pointer.  Rounding out the scoring was Francesca Cocca with 3 points and Samantha Mercurio and Katie Garcia with 2 points each.  Colleen MacNeil, Kayla Von Kahle, and Victoria Mirabito controlled the boards, and Marissa Doherty played great defense.

Tewksbury 37 – Tyngsboro 27

The tournament championship game against Tyngsboro proved to be Tewksbury’s toughest test, but the girls played a great game to win the championship.  Tewksbury was losing for most of the game, but the relentless full court defense eventually wore down Tyngsboro.  The result was some key steals and lay-ups to bring the team back.  Leading the way with 12 points was Sara Catanzano.  Adrianna Favreau had 8 points, including another three pointer.  Rounding out the scoring was Emily Sessa with 6 points, Samantha Mercurio with 4 points, Colleen MacNeil with 2 points, Francesca Cocca with 2 points, Marissa Doherty with 2 points, and Alexis Brincklow with 2 points.  Victoria Mirabito and Katie Garcia had great rebounding games.  Julia Kelly used her speed to play great perimeter defense.  Kayla Von Kahle gave the team valuable minutes at center after the other centers got into foul trouble. 

Congratulations go out to this great group of girls.  This makes back-to-back titles for this team, as they won this tournament last year as 6^th graders.