PEABODY — It was a night of celebration for Bishop Fenwick’s girls basketball team.
After a Senior Night recognition, Caitlin Boyle netted her 1,000th career point as the Crusaders raced to a 63-30 win against Shrewsbury. Even in the afternoon, Fenwick received the No. 1 spot in the MIAA’s Division 3 power rankings.
“It was a lot at once . . . a great night for us,” said coach Adam DeBaggis, whose team upped its record to 13-5.
After Fenwick built a 17-9 first-quarter cushion, Celia Neilson spotted Boyle beneath the basket toward the beginning of the second quarter. Boyle banked in a layup and joined the program’s history books.
“I’m really blessed. I kind of forgot how many points I needed,” said a chuckling Boyle. “It was really exciting . . . seeing all of my hard work come in that accomplishment — and everyone else around me, too.”
When asked if it was one of her favorite memories as a Crusader, Boyle was quick to respond.
“It’s definitely one of the best ones.”
DeBaggis called Boyle “one of the better people we’ve had” in the program.
“We’re just lucky to have her — so coachable and a great teammate,” he added. “She’s one of the best all-around players we’ve ever had. She can do everything.”
From there, Fenwick showed off its chemistry. Back-to-back passing plays resulted in baskets for Neilson and Reese Spurchise as the hosts took a 30-15 lead into halftime.
DeBaggis actually credited Tuesday’s 38-16 loss to Bishop Feehan, calling it “extra motivation” for the group.
“I think the girls really answered the call.”
The floodgates opened during the third quarter as Fenwick outscored Shrewsbury 19-2. The opposition didn’t score until the final 20 seconds of the quarter.
After, frankly, putting an opponent through the spin cycle, Neilson converted a layup through traffic — much to the delight of Fenwick’s student section.
The next thing you knew, the Crusaders surpassed 60 points and put the finishing touches on Shrewsbury. Leading the statistics department were Boyle (14 points, 10 rebounds), Neilson (15 points, 5 assists), Brittney Figulski (7 points, 4 rebounds), and Abby Jenkins (13 points, 3 assists).
“Reese is having a great month — she’s so good at all of the little things,” DeBaggis said, “and if Abby is somebody who can score as much as she did tonight, we’re going to be dangerous.”
Fenwick returns to the court for next week’s Norwell tournament.
“We just need to lock in,” Boyle said. “It’s on us.”
