WAKEFIELD — Winthrop girls basketball coach Joe Lowe was nothing but proud of his Vikings after Tuesday’s 50-28 loss to Amesbury in the Division 3 North semifinal at Wakefield High.
“These girls had a 6-win season and an 8-win season back-to-back,” Lowe, in his first year at the helm of the program, said. “For them to be able to get into the tournament, win two games and still be able to return most of the team next year, this experience will be valuable. I’m just really proud of the work they put in.”
Maura Dorr (11 points) swished the first basket of the night to get sixth-seeded Winthrop started on the right foot. But Winthrop’s struggles over the next seven minutes were second-seeded Amesbury’s benefits.
While the Vikings went ice cold shooting from the outside, Amesbury mounted a double-digit lead with 16 of the next 17 points. The Vikings found themselves in a tough place, down 16-3 at the end of the first quarter.
“We really struggled to score in the halfcourt,” Lowe said. “If we can’t get to the rim and get some layups, it becomes difficult for us. Amesbury is so fast, it’s tough to press them and generate points that way. You almost have to rely on the halfcourt and we didn’t get it. I’d say that was the biggest issue we had.”
Not so fast, said Winthrop.
Maddie Stiglets (six points) reeled Winthrop back in during the second quarter. Stiglets helped lead an 8-2 run to start the frame, slimming Amesbury’s lead to 18-11. Amesbury bumped its lead back to 11 with the next two baskets and carried a 24-13 edge at halftime.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, their momentum didn’t carry over after halftime. Dorr’s 3-pointer was one of Winthrop’s few highlights in the third quarter as Amesbury held the Vikings to just six points. The Indians carried a 37-19 lead after three.
Winthrop came to within 12 with a pair of 3’s early in the fourth quarter. Amesbury stretched its advantage to 20, 45-25, to effectively seal the deal with three minutes remaining.
Amesbury’s Avery Hallinan led all scorers with 18 points. Allison Napoli followed suit with nine points.
“Napoli’s so athletic and so hard to guard,” Lowe said. “I thought we did a decent job on her. (Napoli and Hallinan) were the co-MVPs of the Cape Ann League. They were 18-2 in the CAL and they only lost one league game, to Pentucket. We knew they were a wagon coming in. I told my coaches that whoever scored 50 first would win. They’re just so hard to guard. They’re so good fundamentally.”
Caroline Earl (seven points) and Julia Marccocio (four) also scored for the Vikings, who finished the season 15-8.
Winthrop’s in prime position for another postseason run next season. All five starters from Tuesday’s game return next season along with all but two senior reserves (forwards Alana Grillo and Sara Fucillo).
“I feel really proud of the girls,” Lowe said. “It doesn’t happen without our two seniors, Sara and Alana. They’re great role models for the younger kids. But I’m feeling happy. We return the majority of our team. We have some good incoming players and we have some players coming back from injuries next year so hopefully we’ll be back in this spot again.”
The Indians will play No. 1 seed St. Mary’s in Saturday’s (TBA) Division 3 North final at Tsongas Center.
