On an ice cold Friday evening, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) girls varsity basketball team had a strong night full of well-executed shots, stunning defensive moves, and in-sync teamwork that built the solid win over the Saint John Paul II Lions of Hyannis 50-25.
On paper the schools were an even match, as the Vineyarders entered the contest with a 13-4 record versus the Lion’s 13-3 record. “We’ve played well,” Lion Assistant Coach Mike Andrews told The Times pregame when asked if his team has had a good season.
Both squads were small, with each only having nine girls dressed to play. The Vineyarders had two ladies on the bench with injuries, Jackie Lupinski (who was injured the first day of tryouts) and Whitney Schroeder (who tore her ACL in soccer and has been out all season).
All of the seniors scored Friday night, and senior Captain Emily DeBettencourt had a particularly solid evening both defensively with multiple poaches, blocks, and steals that turned into Vineyard baskets, and also offensively, having 10 points for the night. Emily also shined on court as the clear team leader, confidently shouting out plays like “triangle” that sent teammates into position for the next setup.
In addition to Emily, freshman Molly DeBettencourt and sophmore Erin Hill did not disappoint with 17 and 12 points, respectively, for the game. Senior and co-captain Diamond Araujo and Sam Hargy had 3 points each, and Mariah Duarte, Taija Browne, and Mya Houston all had two points each on the night. The girls were also 11 for 13 from the foul line, “which is huge” said one commentator.
Erin Hill nailed the first basket of the game one minute into the initial period and after four more minutes the Vineyard was up 6-0. The score quickly went to 10-5 Vineyard and the Vineyarders closed the first period with a 12-7 advantage.
The second period saw many nice layups from the Vineyard girls, with Molly DeBettencourt once turning an intense drive down the court into a sweet layup finish, making the score 22-7 Vineyard. With two minutes left in the second period Emily DeBettencourt had a nice defensive breakaway and shot a “rimmer” to increase the score by two. Sam Hargy made one of two free throws at the line and Erin Hill sunk a basket with 45 seconds on the clock to close the Vineyard lead after the second period 29-8. The Lions only scored one point in the second period.
Fans were treated at halftime to a spirited and well-choreographed performance by the MVRHS dance team. The girls’ routine was set to rap music and their brightly colored Nikes were a nice spark to their matching black outfits.
Also at the half, Vineyarder Assistant Coach Asil Cash summed up the game thus far. “We had a lot of energy right from the start. We did not wait to get into the game.”
The third period got more physical, with both sneakers and skin heard squeaking across the gym floor. Molly DeBettencourt looped in a nice three-pointer with less than three minutes left in the third period, helping to raise the Vineyard lead to 38-8. The Lions’ only scoring in this period were four successful free throws off of Vineyard penalties plus one two-point basket.
The final period saw Erin Hill out in front with a quick basket followed by two successful free throws by Molly DeBettencourt, making the score 42-16 Vineyard. Emily DeBettencourt, Diamond Araujo, and Mya Houston quickly followed, banking six more free throws between them. Saint John Paul was able to gain some momentum, but it was not enough to roll uphill and the final score was 50-25 Vineyard.
“It was good,” Head Coach Maureen Hill told The Times postgame. “There was intensity, the girls really came to play. We had two really good practices that led up to this game and I was really happy with how everyone played.”
The Vineyarders play the Lions again in Hyannis on Monday, Feb. 16. “I’m sure they’re going to try and do something different,” Coach Hill continued, “so it will be interesting to see if it’s a closer game.”
The opposing Head Coach and former Vineyard resident, Michael Tierny, was not as positive on the evening. “We thought we could play better. We know the Vineyard was very good and we’re having a tough time rising to the occasion. It’s disappointing when we don’t play to our ability.”
After Monday’s game the Vineyarders play Bishop Stang High School away Friday, Feb. 20 at 5:00 pm in a league contest. The state tournament starts the week of MVRHS February break. The seedings for the state tournament will come out soon after Feb. 20th. “If we end up 16-4 we’ll hopefully have a playoff game at home,” Coach Hill told the Times. “That would be great.”
