RallyNorth.net

Peabody falls to N.H. powerhouse

Friday, December, 28 By Jean DePlacido
Correspondent

Old rivals Peabody and Bishop Fenwick will meet today in the Tanner City Holiday Tournament, but not in the finals as both teams had hoped. Instead, they will battle in the consolation game at 3:30.

Peabody suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of last year's New Hampshire state champion Winnacunnet Regional, 56-42, while Fenwick lost by three points to Melrose.

"We try to get stronger and stronger teams into the tournament, and while we'd like to win, it is more important to be challenged," said Peabody coach Jane Heil. "This loss doesn't hurt us in the conference (NEC), and we know we definitely have some things to work on. We need to show more discipline."

Peabody jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the early going, but the Warriors capitalized on turnovers to get right back in the game. At the first break Peabody was ahead, 13-7 but things totally fell apart in the second quarter when the visitors scored the first 19 points before Tawny Palmieri (13 points) answered with a basket in the final minute for her team's only two points. Peabody went into the locker room trailing, 26-15.

"In each of our previous four games we had one bad quarter, and I hoped that was it," said Heil. "At no point in my mind was there any thought they wouldn't come back when we had that six point lead. We didn't take advantage of our height, and the few times we did get inside didn't finish enough. We are typically a team that can freelance, but not the way we did tonight when some of the girls tried to do things their own way."

Things didn't get any better after halftime. After Lindsey Consoles made two free throws Winnacunnet went on a 16-0 run to go up by 22 points. Sophomore point guard Tiffany Ruffin, who led all scorers with 18 points and was named MVP did the bulk of the damage along with Lindsey Mahoney (10) and Conley Burns (13).

The Tanners had a distinct height advantage, but were unable to use it to their advantage because the Warriors were small but very quick. Once they picked up the pace and capitalized on Peabody's carelessness protecting the ball they took control.

"In that first quarter we were making it a wrestling match, and I knew who was going to win that," said Warrior (5-0) coach Ed Beattie. "Peabody was hard to handle, but we had to be up and down the floor to get our game going. They made it tough, but once we started to play our game we were much more successful. We're a young team, but these kids gained a lot of experience last year when we won the state title." Peabody was led by Palmieri with 13 points and team MVP Janelle Rodriguez with 11 points, four rebounds, a blocked shot, and three steals.

"I am pleased that we held them to 56 points because they've been averaging over 65 a game," said Heil. "But we didn't score. I know Fenwick wants us, and we always like to face them | it's just not going to be for the championship this time."