Girls' Romp Over Lincoln, 71-28; Boys Bounce Back

Wednesday night’s game began inauspiciously for the Barrington girls' basketball team, but they overcame a sluggish start, a key injury and Lincoln High's unusual defense to roll to another win, 71-28, at home.

The Eagles improved their record to 18-1 overall and 14-0 in league play. Barrington captured its eighth consecutive victory despite the loss of senior Kelly Mannix, who left Wednesday’s contest with an injury just 1:50 after it began. She did not return to the floor, though she could be seen sitting with her teammates on the bench throughout much of the game.

“There’s an emotional letdown there when the heart and soul of your team goes out,” said Stephen Lenz, head coach of the Eagles.

The Lions used a box and one defense to restrain the Eagles, targeting Mannix initially, then re-directing the focus toward senior Catherine Matthews throughout most of the first half.

Barrington was scoreless during the first four minutes of the game, and Matthews scored just four points prior to intermission.

“When Kelly’s boxed and she’s in the post, we can put her in certain positions to get the ball and free up other people,” Lenz said. “Now, Catherine’s being boxed, and she’s a guard. It changes how you’re going to set up your offense on the floor.”

Sophomore Caitlyn Nolan finally initiated the Eagles’ offense with two of her 15 points, and Barrington proceeded to establish a 25-8 halftime lead. Sophomore Alyssa Rueb also contributed 12 points to Barrington’s cause, scoring 10 off the bench during the first period.

“As soon as [Reub] went into the game, we decided, ‘Alright, let’s go to her and see how she’s doing and whether or not she’s finishing,’ and she played a great game. She played one of her best games of the year,” Lenz said.

The Eagles scored 12 consecutive points to end the first half, then added 10 more unanswered to begin the second, as they switched from zone defense before the break to man-to-man afterward. Barrington continued to apply defensive pressure during the latter stanza, and Lincoln guarded aggressively, as well, accruing 12 second-half fouls and 26 overall.

Matthews helped the Eagles pull away with nine second-half points, and freshman Maura Kelty chipped in 12, notching 10 after intermission.

The Eagles secured their fourth win in six days Wednesday, and they will return to the court Tuesday, Feb. 15, when they travel to Ponaganset High School.

Meanwhile, in Ponaganset Wednesday night, the boys’ basketball team bounced back from a tough loss to hold off the Chieftains, 63-58, in a makeup game.

The win was the eighth in the last nine games and pushed Barrington’s record to 11-5 in Division II East and 13-8 overall.

Barrington jumped out early and led at halftime, 36-28. Ponaganset fought back and narrowed the margin to 50-48 before the Eagles went on a 9-0 run.

Ponaganset didn’t quit, though, and outscored the Eagles down the stretch 10-4 to make a game out of it almost until the end.

Connor Fiske led the Eagles with 26 points, including six 3-pointers. Michael Zimmerman and Cade Jones-Pearson added 10 points each. Ben Engvall chipped in 8 points.

Barrington’s next game is Friday, Feb. 11, at home against Tiverton.