RallyNorth.net

Clippers back in tournament

Friday, February, 08 By John Shimer
Staff writer

With a state tournament berth on the line, it was Newburyport that was able to survive a battle of attrition over Triton, 37-35, ending the Vikings' four-game winning streak.

Things were not going according to plan for the Clippers in the first half, as Nicki Wurdeman and the Viking gang romped out to a 21-13 halftime lead.

But, Newburyport | who beat the Vikings 38-26 in the first game of the year for both teams | would not go down without a fight on its home floor.

The Clippers attacked the Vikings' biggest flaw | depth in the backcourt | coming out in the second half with a tenacious full court press trying to get turnovers from the weak Triton ball-handlers. Despite Viking point guard Brittany Caprio's best efforts, her teammates were not able to provide much support, and the Clippers quickly tied the score at 21 in the third quarter with some good outside shooting to boot.

By the end of the third quarter the Vikings regained the lead, 29-24, but that slim advantage would not hold up. The press which had got Newburyport back in the game in the third worked to perfection in the fourth holding the Vikings to only six points in the final quarter.

In addition Kirsten Hadwen and Lindsey Tomasz took over on the offensive scoring five a piece, inspiring the Clippers to the two-point victory.

For the night Nicki Wurdeman led all scorers with 15 points, while Sarah Peterson was second on the Vikings with eight points. Both Taylor Hickman and Hadwen had nine points, while Sam Barribeault had eight points.