With the exception of the final score, the St. Mary’s girls basketball team got everything it was looking for on Monday night. The Spartans battled back and forth with Southwest Florida’s top team (14th overall in the state) before falling 48-40 to Gulf Coast High School to suffer their first loss of the season.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the effort and we are better tonight than we were yesterday even though we lost,” said St. Mary’s coach Jeff Newhall. “Playing excellent teams whenever you can challenges our team, and you get a real good idea where you are at. I like where we are at right now.”
The Spartans (4-1) fell behind 12-0 to open the game before settling into the game with a 21-7 run to take their only lead of the game, 21-19, late in the second quarter. The Sharks scored the last six points of the first half for a 25-21 lead at the break.
The second half was back and forth, with the Spartans chasing deficits between four and eight points for most of the half.
Niya Morgen (15 points), Yirsy Queliz (13 points) and Kellyn Preira (11 points) were the top scorers for the Spartans, while Bella Owumi, Brooke Moloney, Olivia Abbott and Abby Constine did a great job defending the Sharks, who have three scholarship players.
St. Mary’s (4-1) will play one more game down in Florida before returning home, as the Spartans will face Seacrest Country Day School Tuesday (6).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Peabody 61, Gloucester 25
The Tanners kept their undefeated season alive behind a strong performance from Emma Bloom (eight points, five assists).
The scoring was spread out from there, as five Tanners — Lauryn Mendonca, Logan Lomasney, Taylor Bettencourt, Abby Bettencourt and Ally Bettencourt — scored seven points apiece. Jess Richard led the team with 14 rebounds, while Mendonca had 10 rebounds and Janelle Baetzel added seven rebounds.
Peabody (3-0) plays on the road at Saugus Wednesday (7).
Swampscott 37, Beverly 28
Senior Sophie DiGrande led the offensive attack for the Big Blue in the victory, notching 16 points and five assists.
Swampscott (3-0) hosts Marblehead Wednesday night (7).
BOYS BASKETBALL
St. Mary’s 69, Gulf Coast 41
The Spartans bounced back after a tough overtime loss over the weekend to earn the win on the road Monday in Florida.
David Brown Jr. and Omri Merryman led the offensive attack with 15 points each, while Derick Coulanges added 10 points in the win.
St. Mary’s (3-1) will now return home before facing off against St. John’s Prep Thursday evening (6:30).
Beverly 74, Swampscott 50
Swampscott (2-1) travels to Marblehead Wednesday (7).
Saugus 60, Winthrop 55
Behind a 20-point effort from Tyrone Manderson, the Sachems pushed their winning streak to three games Monday night.
Jeury Barbosa added 14 points in the win, while Ryan Mabee had 13 points.
Saugus (3-0) travels to Peabody Wednesday (7).
For Winthrop, Zach Bogusz led the way with 21 points. Chris Cappuccio added 18 points in the loss.
Winthrop (1-1) travels to Gloucester Wednesday (7).
GIRLS HOCKEY
Arlington 4, St. Mary’s 1
St. Mary’s (2-1-0) hosts Arlington Catholic Wednesday evening (5).
BOYS INDOOR TRACK
St. Mary’s at TCL Meet
Highlights for the Spartans included great performances from Brett O’Brien in the high jump (5 feet, 10 inches), Kyle Kwiatek in the one-mile (4:48.78), Jesse Moriello in the 1000-meter (2:58.76), Dylan Moroney in the 300 (39.48 seconds), Kenson Justine in the shot put (36-1/2) and Dan Gjeta in the shot put (32-6).
GIRLS INDOOR TRACK
St. Mary’s at TCL Meet
Highlights for the Spartans included great performances from Summer Marston in the high jump (4-4), Lorynes Suriel in the shot put (29-10), Juliana Taborda in the 600 (1:54.69) and Ava Nason in the two-mile (14:25).
SWIMMING
Malden 101, Lynn Classical 77
The lone winner of the day for the Rams was Ava Anderson in diving, but there were also strong performances from Sydney Finnigan in the 200 freestyle (second place) and 500 freestyle (second place), and Daniel Puma in the 200 individual medley (second place) and the 100 freestyle (second place). Camille Mendonca finished second in the 100 backstroke.
Classical (0-2) swims again Tuesday (4) against Somerville.
