Missing leading scorers Kia Minor and Molly Fischer, both hobbled with injuries, the Martha’s Vineyard girls varsity basketball team lost to host Sandwich, 53-32, on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
It was their second loss to the Blue Knights this winter having bowed at the Sancy in the season opener.
Katie Hines was the game’s high scorer with 14 points and the only Vineyarder in twin figures.
Saturday the girls entertained Coyle and Cassidy, one of the teams in the Eastern Athletic Conference, which Martha’s Vineyard will join next fall. Still without Minor and Fischer, the Islanders could not keep up with the fast and physical Warriors. After one quarter C & C led 14-4. At the half it was 38-14. Final score: Coyle Cassidy 53, Martha’s Vineyard 28.
Tuesday, Somerset’s Jess Melody left the lady Vineyarders singing the blues with a three-point buzzer beater in a 59-56 win at the Sancy.
Jillian Sedlier played a tough, aggressive game on both ends of the court and finished with 17 points to lead Martha’s Vineyard Kia Minor returned to the line-up and scored 12. Crystal Miske also finished in double figures, with 11 points.
The girls junior varsity held their own against the C&C Lady Warriors for three quarters. Martha’s Vineyard led at the end of the first quarter, 10-6, then trailed at the half, 18-24. At the three quarter mark the score was knotted, 31-31. But in the final period the Warriors sank nine of 19 foul shots while Martha’s Vineyard cashed two of eight and C & C claimed a 47-43 win. Sarah Williston coolly sank six foul shots in a row to close out the third quarter.
Hanna Persson had the team-high 13 points and was strong under the Martha’s Vineyard basket. Sarah Williston reached the second column with 10 points. Alexandra Mark contributed eight.
Against Somerset at home on Tuesday, the javees left no doubt from the get-go, building a 26-16 lead at the half en route to a 49-42 victory. Sarah Williston led the way with 13 points. Hanna Persson hit a trey for the third straight game and finished with 11 points, as the jayvees improved to 3-4.
Boys hit the road
At Sandwich, Friday, the boys varsity and freshmen hoopsters both lost to the host Blue Knights in overtime. Only one second remained on the clock when Joe Perry’s drive to the hoop tied the score for Sandwich, sending the varsity game into OT.
It seemed that the Islanders would pull it out as they led by five with a minute to play and by four with 30 seconds left on the clock. In the end it was two freebies that broke a 75-75 tie with seven seconds remaining. The final score was 79-75.
Randall Jette paced Vineyard scorers with 18 game high points. Mark Reppert (14), Steve Handy (14), Jess Swaringen (11) and Cody Brewer (10) all made it to double figures.
The javees were the lone success story at Sandwich, posting a 70-52 win, behind the shooting of Lamar Moreis (14 points), Shane Schofield, and Jeff Duarte (10 each).
Head Coach Jason O’ Donnell praised his team’s overall effort.
Tuesday’s tilt at Somerset was a tale of two halves in a 60-59 loss. The Islanders came out and played an inspired, aggressive first half, to lead 40-32 at the break. Martha’s Vineyard was a sizzling 14-18 from the charity stripe.
Everything fell apart in the second half, however. The Vineyarders went stone cold from the field (6-28) and from the foul line (7-18).
“We just didn’t show up in the second half,” head coach Mike Joyce said. “We have to get consistency from one half to the next.”
Mark Reppert finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Randall Jette had 14 points and Jess Swaringen 8.
Matt Poole had a strong game at both ends with 7 points and 8 rebounds.
The jayvees also fell at Somerset, 59-54. Martha’s Vineyard simply could not overcome a 22-3 first quarter hole and 29 turnovers. Lamar Moreis drained 27 points for the Purple.
