In perhaps their most dominant game of the season, the Martha’s Vineyard varsity girls basketball team rolled over Chatham at home Tuesday, February 14, taking an early double-digit lead en route to an easy 57-32 win.
The win pushed the Vineyarders’ record to 9-9 on the season, which means they can qualify for a berth in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) tournament with a win in their final game at Nantucket on Saturday.
The Vineyarders beat the Whalers when they played earlier this season.
The VIneyarders jumped out to an early 11-0 lead Tuesday; led by Jennie Lindland, who scored 12 of her 14 points in the first quarter. The Vineyarders used a swarming defense to confuse the Blue Devils and force a number of turnovers.
Coach Lisa Stewart said after the game that her team’s strong defense helped the offense.
“We passed the ball really well, and I think our defense jump-started the offense. Everyone got in there and helped out tonight, and it was great to see. We’ve been on the receiving end of these types of one-sided games before, so it was great to be on the other side,” she said.
The Vineyarders led 19-8 after the first quarter and 38-15 at the half.
The Vineyarders had a slight height advantage over the Blue Devils and two of their taller players led in scoring; Maggie Riseborough had 15 and Katie Stewart 12. The Vineyarders did a good job passing the ball to Riseborough and Stewart down low, and had a noticeable advantage on the boards.
It was the last home game of the season for the Vineyarders and also Senior Night; the two seniors, Madison Hughes and Alex Mark, were honored before the game.
Earlier in the week, the Vineyarders lost 58-42 to Sabis International Charter School on Saturday, and lost 81-53 in a conference battle on the road against Bishop Feehan last Thursday.