Suffocating, relentless defense was the theme Wednesday as the Bedford High School girls’ basketball team overwhelmed Manchester-Essex, 47-17.
First-year Coach Ashley Kepaa and her undefeated team (4-0) now have a week to prepare for the Waltham High School holiday tournament. The Bucs are scheduled to face Burlington next Wednesday in the opening game.
Bedford played at Weston Tuesday night, which may be part of the reason for some cold shooting to start. But the defense was electric – just consider that Manchester-Essex turned the ball over 32 times, 13 in the first quarter, when the game was basically decided.
Leading 9-3 with two-and-a-half minutes to play in that opening quarter, sophomore Mackenzie Tierney came off the bench and buried a three-pointer from the corner. And just before the buzzer, Marina Greaney scored off a feed from Allie Zorn to make it 14-3.
The Hornets didn’t reach the 14-point mark until almost midway through the fourth quarter.
Bedford led by 13 at the half, then really opened up the attack, outscoring Manchester-Essex in the second half, 25-8. The Bucs had a difficult night from the foul line, missing 17 free throws.
Greaney scored 13 and pulled down eight rebounds. Cassie Morrison led all rebounders with 10, and nine of them were on the offensive boards. Morrison and Tierney each had seven points.
As you would expect with all those turnovers, several Buccaneers had a bunch of steals, led by Zorn (seven), and Julia Dearing and Sydney Poor (four each). Tierney, Bridget Sheahen, and Madison Tierney combined for 16 off the bench.
Senior Katherine Vaughan continues to recuperate from an ankle injury. Kepaa said she will not return to action until after the holiday tournament.
Tuesday night the BHS boys improved their record to 3-1 with a convincing 82-22 win over Dual Cunty League opponent Weston. Athough the margin of victory was 60, Coach Anthony Halls had praise for the defense. “We’re hoping to build off this win and continue to try to get better as a team,” he said.
The Bucs will compete in a tournament at Auburn High School next week.
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
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