By Christopher Shaban
Eagle Times Sports
Sutton — After falling behind early, Kearsage began to make adjustments and nearly came back to pull out a win but ended up falling to Spaulding late on Friday 57-49.
Spaulding opened the game with a barrage of three pointers that all found their mark as the visitors connected on 5 shots from beyond the arc in the first quarter alone. “ We had our sights on Ambra Breakfield who averages about 20 points a game and did a good job keeping her quiet tonight(7 points) but they were just lights out to start,” said Kearsarge head coach Keith Roberts as Spaulding grabbed a 21-10 lead after 8 minutes.
After another three pointer to open the second quarter from Spaulding, Ellie Camp’s old fashioned three point play sparked a big Cougar rally. Erin Wheeler was dominant in the quarter for Kearsarge collecting 8 points as Kearsarge went on an 11-0 run to slice the once bit lead to a single basket at the half 29-27. “We went to a zone in the second quarter and it seemed to slow down their open looks at the hoop,” said Roberts.
Livi Henron opened the second half with a hoop to tie the game as there were three ties but Kearsarge just couldn’t manage to grab a lead as every Kearsarge point in the quarter came from within 10 feet of the basket. “ We began to work the ball around the perimeter really well and I found some room and managed to get some good looks at the hoop off some great passes,” said Hernon. Jordan Busch’s bucket again drew Kearsarge even 33-33 but as the quarter ended, a trio of three pointers from Spaulding kept them ahead 43-41.
Hernon opened the final quarter with a couple of free throws that knotted the game for the last time as both teams would go over 3 minutes without scoring. “ We were just one shot or one rebound away from grabbing the lead and I think that would have made all the difference tonight,” said Roberts.
With Spaulding switching to a zone and collapsing into the paint area, Kearsage was forced to take the outside shot that just didn’t fall. The back breaker for Kearsarge came at the hands of MacKenzie Brochu as her steal and layup gave the visitors a 52-45 cushion that held up the rest of the way for a 57-49 final as Spaulding made their free throws down the stretch.
“I was worried when Kearsarge came back tonight, they have a very talented team. It was good we jumped out early or it could have been a much different game tonight” said Spaulding head coach Steve Langevin.
Wheeler led Kearsarge with 12 points and Hernon would add 10 of her own. Spaulding’s Jenna Philbrook paced all scorers with 15 points and Ashley Trogler would knock down 4 three pointers(all in the first quarter) to finish the night with 12 points.
Kearsarge(2-3) will travel to Laconia(3-4) on Tuesday while Spaulding improves to (4-0).
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