Let the title defense begin.
A strong third quarter surge proved to be the difference maker, as the Mustangs clipped Cambridge, 57-43. Jan. 10. With the win the Mustangs improved to 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the GBL.
Trailing 23-20 at halftime, Medford stormed out of the gate in the third stanza potting 20 points to take a 40-33 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Medford senior Tania Holmes spearheaded the attack with 23 points and five assists. Coach Leo Burke was happy with the intensity the girls played with in the second half to overcome a sluggish first half. Senior Katherine Ellersick did a great job covering Cambridge sharpshooter Lydia Vital, holding the Falcon to only eight points.
“Katherine has been our defensive stopper this year,” Coach Burke said. “Every game we play her job is to shut down the opposing teams leading scorer.”
Also playing a big role the game is junior Lydia Regan who came off the bench netting six points and grabbing seven rebounds.
“Our defensive intensity really picked up in the second half holding CRL to only 20 points,” Burke said.
Burke believes that if Medford can play with that intensity for a full 32 minutes they will be in every game.
In earlier action, Holmes netted 17 points as the Lady Mustangs girls basketball team opened its Great Boston League title defense with a 49-28 win over their archrival Malden, Jan. 6.
Freshman Claire Doncaster came off the bench in the first half to spark the team with seven points in the second quarter. Also leading the way for the Mustangs was senior Jackie Pellecchia with eight points, junior Aleah McAusland-Ace with nine points and senior Emily Welch with six
“The team played hard at both ends of the court,” Medford coach Leo Burke said. “This win was a total team effort.”
Medford’s lone stutter step of the week came in its most recent game, a 45-34 loss to Somerville, Jan. 13.
Holding a 17-14 lead at halftime, the Mustangs watched its lead slip away in a tough second half.
After netting the first two baskets of the half, Medford hit a dry spell from the field, with the Highlanders taking full advantage, claiming a 33-26 advantage after three quarters.
“We could not over-come our shooting woes,” Burke said. “We had plenty of good looks, but the ball just wouldn’t go in and Somerville’s fast break proved to be too much for us this night.”
The Mustangs were led by junior Aleah McAusland-Ace with a season high 15 points. Adding to the mix was senior Bianca Nargi with two points and four rebounds. Junior Mariah Vasquez chipped in with two points and six rebounds.
Medford now embarks on its toughest stretch of the season with the next five of its next six games on the road. The Mustangs open the road trip in Revere, Jan. 17, before another Greater Boston League battle in Everett, Friday, Jan. 20.