Martha’s Vineyard girls win, boys lose in high school hoops openers

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Erin Hill looks to grab a rebound, while teammates Taija Browne (left) and Lucy Hackney join in the fray. — Photo by Ralph Stewart

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School hoops season got underway Thursday against Sandwich. The girls defeated the Blue Knights 48-38 at the Sancy in Oak Bluffs, giving new head coach Julie Schmidt a win in her debut. Meanwhile, the boys, the defending MIAA Division 3 South Sectional champs, took one on the chin in a 76-57 road loss.

Senior co-captain Kat deBettencourt scored 19 points to lead the M.V. girls. The Vineyarders were slow to start, trailing 9-6 after the first quarter. The second period was a different story, as the hosts matched their defensive intensity by dominating the glass at both ends of the court, outscoring Sandwich 14-0 en route to a 20-9 halftime lead.

The Blue Knights charged out of the gate with a full court press to start the second half, nearly tying the game, but the Vineyarders held on and pulled away in the fourth quarter.

The jayvee girls were also victorious in Melissa Braillard’s first game as coach. Whitney Schroeder scored the game-winning bucket with 25 seconds remaining, as M.V. won 29-28.

Over on the Cape, the Blue Knights won a battle of run and gun offenses by outscoring the Vineyard boys 41-22 in the second half. Deshawn James led the Vineyarders with 28 points but did most of his damage in the first half, scoring 16 as the teams went to the halftime break tied at 35-35.

The Sandwich defense smothered James in the second half, while the Blue Knight offense found its scoring touch, particularly from the outside.

Navardo Anderson had 14 points and hauled down eight rebounds for the Vineyarders. Tim Roberts also scored 14, to go with six boards and six blocks.