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Clippers bounce back from Lynnfield loss with impressive win

Wednesday, February, 06 By Evan Mugford
Staff writer

Before each game the Newburyport girls basketball team unite in song, sharing a common belief with Diana Ross.

Spreading their message loud and clear, the Clippers (8-6) understand that there "ain't no mountain high enough."

Last night at the Newburyport High School gym, the visiting Hamilton-Wenham Generals (5-10) tasted defeat by an amped up Clippers crew, 51-34, who were determined to bounce back from a disappointing loss against Lynnfield.

Clippers coach Neil Reardon was pleased with how his team bounced back.

"We came back nicely tonight with a good effort," said Reardon. "I thought we picked up the pace on defense and rebounded the ball much better."

Whatever effort was absent last Friday arrived early last night.

The Generals jumped out early, scoring off some nice passing by junior Emily Patrolia (2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks) and junior Emily Bartlett (8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal), prompting Reardon to call a time out at the 4:50 mark.

The Clippers responded with a 12-1 run thanks to some serious defense and unselfish passing by senior captain Taylor Hickman (12 points, 5 steals and 2 assists) and junior Taylor Bresnahan (12 points, 5 steals, 5 assists, and 3 boards) closing out the first, 14-8.

"Our team was just pumped today," explained Bresnahan. "We've had a couple rough games recently, so the team as a whole had a ton energy. We knew we needed to play well." The second quarter certified what type of defense the Clippers were throwing at the Generals.

Hustling alongside Bresnahan and Hickman, senior captain Kirsten Hadwen (6 points, 4 steals, 4 rebounds and 2 assists) and sophomore Lindsey Tomasz (8 points, 4 steals, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 blocks) helped thwart any offense the Generals were trying to run. Thanks to collective defense (10 first half steals to the Generals' one), and some nice transition baskets, the Clippers extended their lead by a basket, leading at halftime, 25-17.

Starting where they left off, the Clippers continued their binding defense.

"I always say if you play good defense, the offense will take care of itself," Reardon said. "I think that was the case tonight."

The Clippers, in every sense of the word, clipped the majority of passes the Generals offense attempted. Sophomore Simone Prioli (11 points, 3 blocks, 3 steals, and 3 rebounds) did her best to ignite her bunch, as did senior Samantha Stokes (5 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal) and freshman Sarah Vivenzio (8 points), unfortunately it was to no avail as the Clipper bench stepped in and continued the onslaught. At the end of three, the Clippers continued the surge, 37-24.

Senior Emily Vartabedian (4 points, 2 rebounds and a block), junior Kirsten Boyd (2 points, 2 steals, a rebound and an assist) and senior Olivia Campbell (3 points, 2 rebounds and a steal) all added to the Clippers cause, and before anyone knew it, the Newburyport girls basketball team were looking at an easy, though well-earned home victory.

"We wanted to dig in on defense | play tougher on man-to-man by moving quicker on our pressure defense | and get in the passing lanes," said a content Reardon. "Basically, we just wanted to improve our intensity, and the girls did a great job doing just that.

"It was a great team effort. Everyone who came off the bench played well," Reardon said. "Whether it be scoring, rebounding or defending, everyone contributed to this win." In addition to the Clippers collecting a resounding 22 steals, Bresnahan enjoyed how her team forced the ball inside.

"Our emphasis has been trying to get the ball down low rather than shooting near the perimeter," clarified Bresnahan. "I thought we did that really well.

"There was no individual high point, everyone worked together today," said Bresnahan. "Working together like that is when we're at our most successful."

With one more win to make the state tournament, the Clippers are aiming to climb that mountain against Triton Regional (9-7) with a 6:30 p.m. tip at home on Friday.