By Adam Henschel
After starting 10-2 on the season and qualifying for the state tournament for the first time since 2012, the Mashpee Girls Varsity Basketball team appeared to be unstoppable. However, this initial success was followed by tough losses to the likes of East Bridgewater, Rockland, Middleborough, and Norwell.
Slipping to 10-6 and losing their top spot in the tournament seeding, the Lady Falcons were in desperately need of a momentum swing. Monday's senior night game provided just that against a Dennis-Yarmouth squad who Mashpee had routed earlier in the season. They were able to secure a hard-fought 45-40 victory over a much improved D-Y team, gaining a boost of confidence as they near the state tournament.
However, the night was not merely about winning. Seniors Cassie Baker, Sarah McNamara, Bailey Hutchenrider, and Alexis Wenzel were all being honored for senior night before the game, as their final season in Mashpee blue comes to an end.
After starting 10-2 on the season and qualifying for the state tournament for the first time since 2012, the Mashpee Girls Varsity Basketball team appeared to be unstoppable. However, this initial success was followed by tough losses to the likes of East Bridgewater, Rockland, Middleborough, and Norwell.
Slipping to 10-6 and losing their top spot in the tournament seeding, the Lady Falcons were in desperately need of a momentum swing. Monday's senior night game provided just that against a Dennis-Yarmouth squad who Mashpee had routed earlier in the season. They were able to secure a hard-fought 45-40 victory over a much improved D-Y team, gaining a boost of confidence as they near the state tournament.
However, the night was not merely about winning. Seniors Cassie Baker, Sarah McNamara, Bailey Hutchenrider, and Alexis Wenzel were all being honored for senior night before the game, as their final season in Mashpee blue comes to an end.
There was a heartfelt ceremony at the evening’s start, and the four ladies were sent into one of their final home games in grand fashion.
Mashpee’s starting lineup consisted of seniors Alexis Wenzel, Sarah Mcnamara, Cassie Baker, and Bailey Hutchenrider as well as junior star wing Ashley Keleher.
Dennis-Yarmouth won the tip, but it was all Mashpee early on. Wenzel sunk a mid range jump shot right out of the gate to put the Falcons up early. DY quickly fired back with a basket of their own, but two big three’s from Keleher kept Mashpee in control with a solid lead after the first quarter.
As the second half went underway the game turned into a defensive battle. Seniors Cassie Baker and Sarah Mcnamara dominated the paint. Bailey Hutchenrider was all over the court snagging rebounds over girls that were twice her size.
In spite of the stellar defense DY was able to knock down critical 3’s taking the game into the half with the score 18-14 in favor of Mashpee.
Dennis-Yarmouth finally began breaking down Mashpee defensive corps in the second half. Point guard Lindsey Shoener hit several threes during the quarter and found success in dishing the ball to her teammates as well. However, the Lady Falcons continued to fight, and thanks to a flashy basket from 8th grader Amiyah Peters, took the game into half holding on to a 23-22 lead.
With the game on the line Ashley Keleher dominated the 4th quarter. Driving hard to the paint she drew foul after foul. D-Y was unable to answer Keleher's seven made free throws, as McNamara and Baker continued to dominate on defense.
One last surge saw the Dolphins bring it to a five-point game with one minute remaining. However, Keleher was able to ice them by hitting her final free throws of the night and sending the Dennis-Yarmouth home with 45-40 defeat.
Keleher ended the night with 21, leading all scorers, while Peters and McNamara also gave strong performances notching 10 and 7, respectively. Seniors Cassie Baker, Sarah McNamara, and Bailey Hutchenrider dominated the game on defense and the boards, leading their team to an victory on senior night.