Vineyard girls varsity needs a win against Nantucket Saturday

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Katie Stewart let fly for a basket. — Photo by Charlotte Hall

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.