By Emily Bontatibus
Cheverus lady Stags vs. Brunswick lady Dragons. Photo by Emily Bontatibus
On Friday afternoon the Cheverus lady Stags battled the Brunswick Dragons for their first win of the pre-season.
Both teams had yet to play a game, but the annual Cheverus Thanksgiving Tournament allowed several teams to stretch their legs out before regular season play.
With Emma Lizotte leaving the Stags for her final high school season and heading to play for the Thornton Academy Trojans, it leaves many speculating how Cheverus will operate without their big.
On the other side, the young Brunswick team shows promise with a few new players taking the court.
To open the first quarter, Cheverus put on a strong press which forced Brunswick to earn several early fouls. Two minutes into the game Stag’s shooting guard, Anna Goodman, made an and-one, putting her team up 9-2. Amidst team fouls and turnovers, Brunswick guard, Julianna Morin, provided hope. With a minute thirty to go in the quarter, Morin made a three point play and a three-pointer consecutively to tie the game 10-10.
Getting a handle on the Stag’s press, the Dragons were able to stay neck and neck throughout the second quarter. Dakota Shipley of Brunswick was a key part of her team’s success, with her layup, three-pointer and assists. A steal by the Dragon’s led to teammate guard, Lexi Morin, making a layup on the other end to set her team up 19-18 with two and a half minutes to play.
But, Cheverus center Olivia Conroy, made a key block on Morin, awarding her teammate Rachel Feeley with a layup to put the Stag’s up 22-21. Brunswick scored a free throw at the end of the quarter, tying the game up 22-22 heading into the second half.
Coming out strong, Ruth Boles of the Stags secured the offensive board for a two-point putback, putting her team up 24-22 with six minutes left. Feeling more comfortable with the fast pace of Cheverus’ game, up 30-27, Brunswick guard Emily Doring, hammered down two shots in a row.
With a minute forty-five left in the quarter, Conroy connected with Boles in the key to put the Stags within one. The Dragons led 36-34 heading to, what was thought to be, the last quarter.
The final quarter was scoreless until Doring of the Dragons hit another three pointer a few minutes in. On a pass from Boles, Cheverus guard Maddie Fitzpatrick made a three-point play with four-thirty left, putting the score at 39-37 Brunswick.
After lots of free throws on both sides, the Stags had victory in the bag by staying up 45-42 with thirty seconds to go. However, Brunswick guard Eva Harvie drained a three-pointer to send both teams into a two-minute overtime.
Fitzpatrick certainly showed up in overtime by making clutch free throws from Brunswick’s foul attempts. Down by two, Shipley had a chance to tie the game up once again with three seconds left. But, the Stags prevailed over the Dragons, winning the game 53-51.
The Stags will play at a round robin tournament at Freeport High School next weekend, while the Dragons play on November 28th at South Portland High School.
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