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12/19/2013 11:00 PMComing off a successful 12-11 campaign a year ago, the Old Saybrook girls’ basketball program is poised to make some noise once again in the Shoreline Conference. In his 10th year as head coach, Steve Woods—assisted by daughter Caitlin Woods—brings back his starting five in seniors Mia Neas (guard), Mary Kate Morrison (guard), Elizabeth Marshall (guard), and Paige Trabucchi (forward). Fellow senior Madison Eucalitto will miss the season due to injury.
“This group of seniors has brought tremendous energy and an exciting style of play due to their quickness, toughness, and aggressiveness,” said Woods. “My girls are smart and never leave anything out on the court.”
Other players to watch are junior Molly Beck (guard) and “the fastest player in the Shoreline Conference and one of the fastest in the state,” according to Woods, along with sophomore Jill Murphy (guard/forward), junior Shannon Smirnow (forward), and freshman Riley Roarick (guard).
“This group is talented, tough, and quick. But due to injury, the burden will fall on some of our reserves to fill those spots,” said Woods. “The expectations are high for this group we have had for the past couple of years and they are all big-game experienced and savvy. Mia and Mary Kate are All-State soccer players and won a state title this year, Molly is All-State in lacrosse and one of the most talented female athletes at Old Saybrook in years, Paige is All-State in softball at catcher and tough as nails and she went to the state semifinals last spring, and finally Elizabeth was part of that state champion soccer team and is the second-leading three-point shooter in the state last year with 64 treys. If we can manage to stay healthy, avoid foul trouble, and bring along our bench players, we could have a very good season.”
The Rams opened their season by beating Old Lyme on Dec. 11, 51-48. They scored 20 points in the first quarter and took a 10-point lead by the end of the period. Neas had eight points and Beck notched five to lead the offensive onslaught. Old Lyme came right back with a big scoring second quarter and pulled to within two points at the half.
The Wildcats took a one-point lead going into the final stanza. Neas scored 12 of her team’s final 14 points and Old Saybrook managed to get out of Old Lyme with the victory.
“Mia was brilliant tonight, dropping in 28 points, but it was the team defense that proved to be the difference down the stretch and our ability to run an effective delay game in the last two minutes,” said Woods. “Paige and Molly were especially tough and when Mary Kate was able to play an entire fourth quarter without picking up a fifth, it was crucial. It was an excellent team win against a good and well-coached team.”
On Dec. 13, the Rams opened their home campaign by taking on HK, which was coming off a huge victory to Shoreline favorite Morgan. Old Saybrook lost 54-45, but used speed and defense to forge to a 15-13 advantage at the end of the first quarter, getting six points each from Neas and Morrison.
Neas picked up her third foul at the start of the second quarter and was forced to the bench for the remainder of the half and the Cougars took full advantage, outscoring Old Saybrook 19-8 in the period to go to the locker room at the half up 32-23.
The second half saw an even match with each team scoring 22 points, but the damage had been done and despite pulling to within four at one point in the fourth quarter, the Rams dropped the contest 54-45. Neas once again led the way with 21 points while Marshall and Morrison each had 10.
“I felt the team could’ve played better, but I was very pleased with the effort and poise this club showed,” said Woods. “Not having Mia for the entire second period was the difference. Mary Kate and Paige Trabucchi were warriors against their much larger opponents and Molly Beck created many offensive opportunities for her teammates with her relentless pressure, pushing the ball up the court. Mia dropped 21 on them in only three quarters of play, so hopefully the next time we play them we can keep her in the game because she is a scoring machine.”
The Rams then defeated Portland 64-33 behind 20 points and 11 steals by Neas, 15 points on five three-pointers from Marshall, and 11 points from Smirnow. Morrison and Trabucchi continued their fine all-around play which was key as Old Saybrook was without Beck who was away.