PEABODY — It’s important for a young team to build confidence early on in the season. Monday’s season-opening 43-19 win over Gloucester certainly helped the Peabody girls basketball team’s cause.
The Tanners, who return just one starter from last year’s team, played solid basketball on both ends of the court and built an early lead that was never in doubt.
Peabody’s Georgia Leon led all scorers with 10 points. Isabel Bettencourt followed with eight and Amber Kiricoples added six. Emma Bloom (five points), Emily Carney (four), Taylor Bettencourt (three), Aja Alimonti (two), Colleen Crotty (two), Deana Geomelos (two) and Gina Terrazzano (two) also scored.
“We’re trying different combinations,” Peabody coach Stan McKeen said. “We’re trying to see who works well together. We’re playing zone, man, whatever. The players that fit well together best is what it comes down to.”
Of Gloucester’s 19 points, nine came via 3-pointers. Ella Marshall’s six points led all Fishermen scorers.
Carney scored Peabody’s first points of the season on a 16-foot jumper a few minutes into the first quarter. She added another basket a minute later and the Tanners settled into the game from there. As Peabody built its lead, Gloucester struggled for points. Crotty’s lay-up in the closing seconds of the period gave the Tanners an 11-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
“They didn’t score in the first quarter and I didn’t even realize that,” McKeen said. “We were pumped up early. We played some good defense. We missed a lot of shots too but we kind of picked it up. The second quarter was the turning point in the game.”
Natalie Favazza’s hook shot gave Gloucester its first points of the year at the start of the second quarter. Then Peabody turned to the Bettencourts, cousins Isabel and Taylor, both freshmen reserves, to lead a 13-0 Peabody run. Kate Bevins got Gloucester back on track with a 3-pointer. Favazza added another Fishermen bucket before the half but Peabody carried a comfortable 28-7 lead at recess.
The key to outscoring Gloucester 17-7 in the second quarter was defense turning into offense. Peabody’s transition game opened up Peabody’s big lead.
“We were able to push the ball up the court and they were flat footed,” McKeen said. “We made some easy baskets. I’m pleased. We needed the win. We got everybody in the game. The freshmen looked good. It’s a good start.”
After Nicolle Fernandes opened the third quarter with a bucket, Gloucester picked up some steam. The Fishermen held Peabody to just two points during the period and closed the gap to 30-17 heading into the fourth.
But Peabody returned the favor. The next 13 points belonged to the Tanners, who kept Gloucester to one basket in the fourth quarter and recaptured their momentum to seal the win.
Up next on Peabody’s schedule is Thursday night’s (7) home game against Lynn English.
“That’ll be a tough game,” McKeen said. “We played them in the preseason jamboree at Lynn Classical. They beat us but we were experimenting with different rotations. We’re looking forward to it.”
