RallyNorth.net

Sachems charge into championship gane

HAVERHILL | One shot in the third quarter of yesterday's Pentucket-Cambridge semifinal matchup in the Haverhill Christmas Tournament by sophomore standout Ashley Viselli just might have a domino effect.

At least, that's the hope of Pentucket coach John McNamara, whose Sachems (6-0) stifled Cambridge Rindge & Latin 53-37 to advance to tomorrow's 6 p.m. championship game against fellow unbeaten Swampscott, which defeated Bishop Guertin 58-49 in the nightcap.

Pentucket and Swampscott met in last year's Division 3 North semifinals, with the Sachems prevailing 50-44 in a hard-fought contest that neither team will soon forget.

"They're a handful, with two all-stars (Tara Nimkar and Allie Beaulieu) and a very good sophomore (Kara Gilberg)," said McNamara. "We had a war last year and I expect the same thing.

"We're still not where we want to be, but we're getting there."

A promising sign came in that third quarter when Viselli stepped back after getting a pass and drilled a beautiful 3-pointer. That was part of a 12-point quarter for Viselli, who finished with a game-high 18 points, and may have been a sign that Pentucket's so-so shooting may be on the rise.

"One shot can definitely get you over the hump," said McNamara. "Maybe that one will do it."

If not, Pentucket will have to once again rely on its defense, which was intense in the first quarter, forcing eight Cambridge turnovers in an 11-2 advantage. Cambridge didn't score one field goal in the quarter.

In addition to its pressure on the ball, Pentucket was immense under the boards, led by 6-foot-3 center Kirsten Daamen (13 points, 10 rebounds) with plenty of help from Andrea Attenesio (five rebounds) and Viselli (seven rebounds). Daamen had 10 of her points in the first half, including three on a banked 3-pointer.

Ahead 23-11 at halftime, Pentucket extended its lead in the third quarter to 40-21 before McNamara cleared the bench. "We have to hit the boards hard," said McNamara. "If we're not hitting our shots, we need rebounds and good defense, which we're getting."

For Cambridge, Oneal Session led a balanced attack with nine points and gave Pentucket a challenge with her quickness.

"It's something we don't see in practice every day, so a game like this is a good test for us," said McNamara. And, if it marks the end of any shooting ills, so much the better.

Swampscott was led by Tara Nimkar's 22 points against Bishop Guertin. Nimkar was the tourney MVP last year.