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BY JOSH PERRY (@Josh_Perry10)
The Medfield High girls’ basketball team took advantage of winter break to travel to Orlando, Florida and compete in the Disney/KSA Holiday Tournament against teams from across the country. The Warriors won a pair of games and reached the finals of their bracket before falling in overtime to Nelson County (Ky.).
Sophomore standout Maggie McCarthy earned tournament MVP honors for her play over the three games, including a 25-point performance against John Jay East (N.Y.) in the second game.
Medfield opened the tournament with a 50-48 win against Strongsville (Ohio). The Ohio team held the lead for the majority of the game but the Warriors rallied in the fourth quarter thanks to 13 points in the period from McCarthy. Meg Zona made one of two free throws to tie the game with five seconds left and Lauren Casieri picked up the rebound to score the game-winner (and final two of her team-high 18 points).
Against John Jay, the Warriors dominated to win 70-38 and advance to the final. In addition to McCarthy’s 25 points, the game was highlighted by the return of senior Abby Scier, who is battling back from a knee injury suffered during lacrosse season. Scier took the court for the first time with her freshman sister Meg, who scored her first varsity points in the game.
Nelson County was also coming off a big win and, according to Medfield coach Mark Nickerson, was “talented and aggressive” and caused the Warriors problems on both ends of the court. Medfield trailed by 10 at the half and eight at the end of the third quarter, but the Warriors pressure defense helped them chop into the lead. Sophomore Emma Anderson buried a three to tie the game at 41 and send it to overtime.
The Warriors were held scoreless in OT and fell 46-41 but Nickerson was proud of the way the team played and hopes that will translate into success as Medfield gets back into Tri-Valley League play this week.
“My hope is that our ability to compete against these teams from across the country and the confidence that our girls showed in our ability to overcome two double-digit deficits…will help this team reach the next level,” said Nickerson.
Medfield (4-3) returns home to face Bellingham and Hopkinton this week.
