“I love our team. We are all very supportive of each other and have a good time and race and run.” -Shepherd Hill sophomore Stella Worters (photo left)

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

Leave it to the sensational one, Stella Worters, to simplify it all for us.

The Shepherd Hill track program is not only flourishing, it’s also an exceptional one, with many great coaches and athletes. It could be the prototype if you were to start a new program, in fact.

This past week we spent some time talking with several coaches and athletes on the Hill about their outstanding program, which features an undefeated boys and 5-3 girls team. Both teams have several star athletes who also have the grades to get them into good colleges when their high school experience is over.

It would be impossible to feature every great athlete in the track program so here is a look at some of the best of the best in their own words:

Stella Worters (sophomore)
Specialty: two-mile run, one-mile run, 800-meters run, javelin.
“She rewrote the record book. She is one of the hardest working athletes that you will ever meet. Despite her size she is the fiercest competitor I have ever met. She is really nice, smart, an honor student, and the whole nine yards.  She’s also a real humble person, whom you are never going to hear running around telling everybody what she has accomplished.” –Len Harmon, girls track coach

Leo Harmon and Chris Patrinos

Leo Harmon (senior)

Focus: 800 meters, 400 meters, long jump, long distance.
“Leo is a great leader vocally, and he is very talented physically. He can do a variety of events from any kind of jumping event to any running event.  He is truly versatile.” –Aidan Kearney, assistant boys coach

“I think our recent success is due to the depth on our team; the younger guys have stepped up a lot. The leadership on our team with all the seniors has helped, it starts at the top and once the younger guy see how hard the older guys are working hard, they grow up and they realize this how things work.” –Leo Harmon

“If you start to have success and you see all these undefeated seasons you see how it’s supposed to be and you do what it takes to get to this point.” –Leo Harmon

“I don’t think the size of the school matters I think the leadership on the team, the coaching and the overall chemistry makes a team what it is. If you don’t have the mentality to do, you won’t be able to compete against any team.” –Leo Harmon

Katie McCambridge (junior)
Weapon of choice: shot put, discus
“She is just a fantastic kid to work with. She really takes coaching and direction well, she wants to improve, she is a leader, someone that other girls look up to.”  -Ricardo Simoes, 7^th year as head track coach

“Katie demonstrates some great leadership skills and continues to work, she is the hardest worker on the team. She is quiet but when it’s time to start working she gets everyone going on the team. She is almost like having another coach on the field. Her peers really respect her.” –Len Harmon

“Shot put has come easier for me than discus.  Discus is very difficult to grasp, you have to get low, and you have to know all the turns in the circle, it’s kind of like ballerina dancing in the circle. Getting that down at first was hard, but once you get all it in place it comes easier.”

–Katie McCambridge

Pat Tilly 

Pat Tilly (senior)
Skills: 100 and 400 hurdles, high jump
“Pat can do a lot of different events. He has been here for four years, he is one of our top point scorers, It’s rare when you get a guy that can run, jump, and throw, and Pat can do all those things.” –Aidan Kearney

“Track has been a real eye opening experience.  I didn’t know what hard work was until I took up track. The competition pushes you hard and makes you better.” –Pat Tilly

Shepherd Hill Captains Emily Mattson, Kaleigh Durkin, and Katie McCambridge

Kaleigh Durkin (senior)
The goods: 800 meter, mile, and 4x800
“Kaleigh is a very talented athlete, she is a real good leader, someone that you can count on for her versatility. She has done everything from throwing events to running in short distances to long distances. I feel comfortable putting her in any event, and know that she is going to be successful at it. I am very proud of all that she has accomplished here in her four years; she has been a really good role model for the younger athletes.” –Len Harmon

“We know that every school has its own strengths and weaknesses so we take it as it comes. This season has gone really well, we broke the school record in the 4x800 relay.”  –Kaleigh Durkin

Chris Patrinos (senior)
When not on the hoop court: triple jump, long jump, running, etc.
“It depends where my coaches need me because I can go from the 100, 200,400, and then I can do the 4x400, 4x100, I can do any jumping event.” –Chris Patrinos

“Chris is immensely talented and he has come into his own this year. He took a leadership role; he is like a defacto captain. He has a great shot at making it to two States in two events.” –Aidan Kearney

“I go to the Boys and Girls Club in Webster and I see my friends from Bartlett like Akeem Belnavis and Matt Huberdault, and I do talk to Nick Kobel.  It’s not really a rivalry it’s just about having fun.” –Chris Patrinos

“We are an undefeated team; we don’t lose unless we joke around. The size thing doesn’t mean anything because everyone gets the same coaching.  Whoever works the hardest is going to be playing.”

-Chris Patrinos

Emily Mattson (senior)
Boot camp preparation: high jump, 100 meters, and 4x100
“I can’t say enough about Emily Mattson and her ability to overcome and persevere. She broke the school record in the high jump as a freshman, then had a series of set backs, some injuries, some issues that she ran into as an athlete, things that would get most kids down and she struggled a little bit with it, and then came back as a senior and is having a great season. She is an impressive young lady.”   -Len Harmon

“My track experience since my freshman year has gotten better, we work together, and we have a good time. My biggest rival is Emily Cahill from Uxbridge, she has gotten better every single year; she gives me competition and makes me work harder. She is good at everything, running, jumping. We are friends though.” –Emily Mattson

Joe Wheeler (senior captain)
discus, shot put
“He’s been tremendous for us, very dedicated. He’s done fantastic for us. He puts in the extra work in the weight room as well, which is very important.” –Ricardo Simoes

Aidan Kearney (coach)
4^th year coaching at the Hill. Boston Marathon runner
“Mr. Kearney has been a great coach. He’s always been there for us. He’s tough at times but he knows what is best for us because he has been there.” –Pat Tilly

Len Harmon (coach)
“Coach Harmon always knew I could do something special. He pushed me and when I would get lazy he wouldn’t give up on me.” –Pat Tilly

“Mr. Harmon has always been a great coach, he has always been very inspiring. He knows what I am capable of and he pushes me to get to where I need to be.”  -Kaleigh Durkin

Nicole Fossas (assistant girls coach)
Gig: works with Stella and Juleanna Schultz, etc.
“She deserves a lot of the credit for how well the distance runners are doing this year.” –Len Harmon

Coaches Nicoloe Fossas and Len Harmon

What’s next?

Emily Mattson is entering the Marines; boot camp starts on September 10.

Kaleigh Durkin will be attending the University of South Dakota in the fall, where she will major in history and run track.

Leo Harmon will be attending Widener University, outside Philadelphia, and majoring in pre-physical therapy.

Pat Tilly will be attending UMass Amherst to major in kinesiology.

Chris Patrinos will attend Quinsigamond Community College in the fall with hopes of transferring to Worcester State College.

Katie McCambridge is only a junior and will be back to carry on the tradition.

Juleanna Schultz. Stay Tuned.

Stella Worters was last seen running somewhere in Dudley….

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Text and Photos by Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY - The Shepherd Hill Rams girls’ tennis team continued their winning ways and cruised to their eighth victory of the season with a dominating 4-1 victory over the Auburn Rockets in a key Southern Worcester County League match at Shepherd Hill on Friday.

Junior Callie Mulcahy (photo above) and freshman Abbey Packard were both dominant in their singles matches. Mulcahy cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 win, while Packard was equal to the test with a 6-0, 6-2 victory.

Freshman, Abbey Packard.

The doubles of Steph Gallant and Chrissie Chevalier won their match 6-4, 6-1, and the Rams’ second doubles team of Deb Chevalier and Victoria Crowe were equally impressive with a hard fought 7-5, 6-4 win.

Stephanie Gallant

Chrissy Chevalier

The Rams’ number one singles player and captain Maddie Billis lost to one of Central Mass’ top singles players, Janelle Wheeler.

This was the second win for the Phil Alston- coached Rams over key rival Auburn and their fifth straight win as a team.

The Rams, who also defeated the David Prouty Panthers earlier in the week 4-1, are now 8-3 overall and 7-1 in SWCL play. 

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and read more about high school tennis in View from the Sidelines every week in The Patriot newspaper.

Lose to Holy Name 59-47

Ciara McKissick (22) drives past Ama Biney. Don Cote photo.

By Steev Riccardo

Worcester - The Shepherd Hill Rams girls basketball team was knocked out of the playoffs by the top-seeded Holy Name Naps last Thursday night in an emotionally fueled third game between the two Central Mass powers, played at Clark University.

The Rams (16-6) suffered their third loss of the season at the hands of the powerful 23-0 Naps, who are regarded as the best team in Central Mass and for good reason.

It was also the last hoorah for Rams senior star Meghan Fornaro, the leading scorer in Central Mass, who finished her career with a 26- point effort despite being blanketed with defenders throughout the contest.

The Naps were paced by a huge opening quarter effort from senior star Bianca Langford, who scored 14 points and was dominant inside, leading her team to an early 16-13 lead despite 8 early points from Fornaro.

Fornaro and company battled hard in the second quarter but the Naps answered the bell every time and maintained a 5 point 30-25 lead at half time.

The Rams came out inspired and had their best quarter in the third, outscoring the Naps 16-13 and actually tying the game at 41 on a three-pointer by Fornaro, before a late hoop by Naps freshman Gabrielle “Gigi” Guenther made it 43-41 heading into the final quarter.

It was all Naps in the final quarter and they took control of the game, holding the Rams to only 6 fourth quarter points, and holding on for the victory. 

Fornaro fouled out with 11 seconds left and the senior’s storied career in a Rams uniform was over, but she held her head up high afterwards. “We played together as a team and we gave it our best shot and that is all I could ask for. It was a pretty good game at the half and we kept up with them, they played well.”

Rams head coach Jim Hackenson put it all in perspective. “We played them three times and they beat us by the same amount each time. I thought tonight we played them harder, Langford is very strong and I thought that we did a very good job on her despite the great game that she had. We worked hard, it was a tough loss.”

As far as seeing his star player and leader play in her last game, he said, “Meghan is a special one. They don’t come around very often. She has been with me for four years and it’s emotional and it’s tough to see her go.”

Fornaro played her final game with great passion, playing through leg cramps and calf spasms, but still leading her team with 26 points against an excellent Naps defense.

Rams junior Taylor Daniels also played well in the loss with 10 points, while sophomore Brooke Packard finished with 6 points and played very well defensively.

Holy Name guard and Webster’s own freshmen Gigi Guenther, who scored 2 points and played some spirited defense for the Naps said, “We were hoping for the best when we made it this far. We wanted to continue this great season and we put pressure on them and were focused and that is what helped us achieve this,”

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Taylor Daniels (24) chases down a loose ball. Don Cote photo.

Julie Preissler (30) drives to the hoop past Bianca Langford (21). 
Don Cote photo.

Meghan Fornaro (13) protects the ball as she drives past
Ayuna Perez (25). Don Cote photo. 

Brooke Packard (12) takes a layup as Melissa Saad tries for the block.
Don Cote photo. 

Meghan Fornaro takes a layup. Don Cote photo.

Text by Steev Riccardo


DUDLEY - Meghan Fornaro put on a show for the ages this past Saturday night, scoring a career high 42 points while leading the Shepherd Hill Rams past the North Middlesex Patriots 77-63 in a Division 1 playoff contest.

The senior star and career 1000-point scorer playing in her last home game knocked down 8 three-pointers while setting the table for a semi-final district game with Holy Name this Thursday night at Clark University.

Fornaro set the pace early with 13 first quarter points and a couple of great plays, diving for loose balls in leading the Rams to a 22-8 lead after one quarter. At one point Fornaro came to the bench to get treatment for a banged up arm but was back on the court in less than a minute.

Junior Taylor Daniels hit a pair of shots, while sophomore Brooke Packard and junior Christina Gauvin each hit three-point shots to keep the Rams lead at 14 at the half, 44-30.

Fornaro took control of the game in the third quarter.  The Patriots cut the Rams’ lead to 9 at one point, but the senior put on a long range shooting clinic, hitting three bombs to keep her team in control as they led 62-48 after three quarters.

It was clear sailing for the Rams in the fourth quarter as they maintained their fourteen-point lead and were on their way to a semi-final rematch with Holy Name.

Shepherd Hill Girls Basketball Coach Jim Hackenson praised the play of Fornaro. “It was her night, her last game her at Shepherd Hill, she has been with us for four years, 1,000 point scorer and you can see where they come from. She is a floor general, she runs the show, and she is a stabilizer. When the other team starts to have a comeback, she calms people down on the court”.

“When they cut it to within 9, she took a look over at me and then she takes charge. She is a tremendous ball player and a tremendous leader,” said Hackenson.

The veteran coach was pleased with his team’s overall play. “Tonight we were on fire. We were putting them in off the glass tonight, for crying out loud.  I thought our defense was pretty good, we went man to man, then we trapped. I think we did some things out there that took them away from their game. I also thought our transition game was good, we set some nice screens and found the open shots.”

Fornaro was ecstatic afterwards when asked if this was her best performance in her Shepherd Hill career. “Yes that was my best performance and I didn’t even know that I had 42, people are telling me now and I am like wow. everything I put up went in and I was going with it.”

“I don’t usually take that many three pointers but I was open and I was taking them and I was on.” said Fornaro who usually scores a lot of baskets going to the hoop.

The senior star had a lot of praise for her teammates as they prepare to go deeper into the playoffs. “Last year was our rebuilding year and we came together as a team, we have come a long way, we are playing our best basketball right now. We are working well as a team and hopefully we can carry this into the semi-s (against Holy Name).”

Along with Fornaro’s career night, the Rams also received solid performances from Packard, who added 5 points and some great defensive play, and Daniels, who finished with 11 points.  Racicot and Christina Gauvin also came off the bench and made some excellent contributions with 6 points apiece.

The Rams have fallen to Holy Name twice this season but Fornaro is optimistic about their chances on Thursday. “We have seen them twice already and we are hoping that the third time is the charm.  We came close against them, one of the games we were up at the half; we can beat them.”

If Fornaro and her team play like they did Saturday night, they can probably beat anyone.

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more on the Shepherd Hill Rams and high school basketball and check out the View from the Sidelines column in this and every edition of The Patriot.

Johanna L’Heureux (23) blocks a shot. Don Cote photo.

Brooke Packard (12) drives by Emily Church (31). Don Cote photo.

Taylor Daniels battling for a loose ball. Don Cote photo.

Christina Gauvin (20) drives to the hoop. Don Cote photo.

Kyle MKissick (24) sails past Antonio Jones (5) and Joey Berry
(23) for a layup. Photo by Don Cote.

Text and photos by Don Cote

The 6th seeded Shepherd Hill Rams ended the season on a down note Monday night, losing a thriller to the 11th seeded visiting Doherty Highlanders 65-63 in the opening round of the Division 1 playoffs. While Doherty advances to the Quarter Finals Thursday night against the #3 seeded Wachusett Mountaineers in Holden, the Rams close out a 14-8 season.

It didn’t look like it would be that exciting of a game, much less going down to the wire in a frantic finish.

Doherty jumped out to a 19-7 lead in the first quarter against the Rams’ man-to- man defense, until the Rams switched to a zone defense and slowed the Highlanders’ quickness, while getting into an offensive rhythm of their own. It appeared this one would be over early.

Shepherd Hill went on a 19-3 run of its own in the second quarter and finally moved out to a 28-24 lead and increased that to a 32-29 lead at the break.

The second half was a frenetic and fast paced affair with several lead changes, and the whole game came down to the final minutes.

Doherty held a 63-62 advantage with less than 2 minutes on the clock. Jesse Gilchrist tied it up for the Rams at 63-63 on a foul shot. Doherty’s Antonio Jones gave the Highlanders a 65-63 lead with a pull up jumper and only four seconds left on the clock. Gilchrist again took it the full length of the court and took his shot only to watch it rim around and fall to the court. Game over.

Kyle McKissick led all scorers with a game high 25 points and a monster game on the boards. Chris Patrinos poured in 14 points in the effort, while Matt Rayla and Bryan Stearns added 10 and nine points respectively.

Justin Terlizzi (30) puts up a short jumper over Tosin Ishola (32).
Photo by Don Cote 

Zack Poirier (35) and Justin Terlizzi (30) battle Tosin Ishola (32)
for a rebound. Photo by Don Cote.

Matt Rayla (22) takes a pull-up jumper over Joey Berry (23).
Photo by Don Cote. 

Chris Patrinos (12) goes airborne over Richi Saya (3)
for an underhanded layup. Photo by Don Cote.

By Steev Riccardo

The Shepherd Hill Rams saw their bid for a Clark Tournament championship game slip through their fingers on Thursday night (Feb. 23) as they lost a hard fought 48-45 battle to a powerful Quabbin Panthers team in front of a rowdy crowd.

This was the third meeting between the two teams this year. The Panthers won the first meeting 79-71 on their home court, while the Rams took the second meeting 80-69 in Dudley. The tiebreaker proved to be a classic and there was certainly no letdown.

Both teams came out a little stiff but the Panthers used a huge 17-7 rebounding advantage to take a 10-6 lead after the opening quarter.

Seniors Matthew Rayla and Kyle McKissick each scored six points in the second quarter, sparking the Rams while cutting the Panthers lead to 21-18 at the half. One of the 6’5” McKissick’s baskets was a massive dunk that brought the house down.

The third quarter was an epic battle between two teams which both wanted it. Jesse Gilchrist connected on a pair of deep three-pointers and junior reserve Justin Terlizzi came in off the bench and gave the Rams a spark with five points.

The Rams, who trailed 38-35 heading into the fourth quarter, tied the game on a Terlizzi jumper at the 5:48 mark and from that point on it was a race to the finish with the two teams going back and forth.

McKissick was outstanding in the fourth quarter but the Panthers were able shut down the Rams every time they had a chance to go ahead mostly due to the play of all-star point guard Christian Horton, who was all over the court making plays.

The Rams had one last chance to tie it but Gilchrist three-point shot with 6 seconds left barely missed and their Clark run was over.

Rams head coach Duane Corriveau took the loss well and was proud of the way his team performed against a strong Panther squad. “I can’t fault my team in any way they came out and played as hard as they could play; offensively we are a little better than we showed tonight but that was because they played great defense. They are a good team.”

Rayla also praised the Panthers. “After playing them three times, we know each other pretty well. They are a good team and a very well coached team. When they came to our place, we won the rebounding battle and I think they took it to heart and they came in here and outrebounded us tonight.”

McKissick led the Rams with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and one monster dunk that even surprised him. “That is the first time I have ever done that, they are usually on fast breaks, it must have been the excitement, I got up there on that one.”

Rayla added 10 points and despite losing was happy that his team was invited to play at Clark University. “This is such a fun tournament to play in, it has a different kind of feeling playing here.”

The 14-7 Rams won’t have much time to rest as district play starts up early this week and they look to get back on the winning track and advance in the playoffs.

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By Steev Riccardo; Photos by Don Cote

The Shepherd Hill Rams put together a strong all-around performance and bounced the Clinton Gaels from the Large Schools Division of the Clark Tournament with a 58-46 win on Monday night.

The Rams will now advance to the semi-finals for a much-anticipated rematch with the #1 seed Quabbin Panthers, who cruised past Assabet 70-34, on Thursday night.

Senior guard Chris Patrinos, who played well all night, hit an early three-pointer and the Rams were on their way to a 20-11 first quarter lead.

Despite forcing the Gaels to the turn the ball over (12 times in the first half), the Rams were only able to convert a few times and couldn’t really open up the lead. Still, they were ahead 31-22 at half time and appeared to be a good position.

The teams played fairly evenly in the second half, but every time the Gaels try to get back in the game, the Rams countered with a big shot.

Senior forward Kyle McKissick, who finished with 13 points, made some key hoops down the stretch including a great tip-in from above the rim that drove the crowd into a frenzy.

Rams head coach Duane Corriveau felt like his team didn’t play nearly as well as they could have. “I didn’t feel that we were playing well enough, we stretched it out to15 a few times and then boom-boom, it’s back to nine.”

“I didn’t get the feeling that we were in control of the game throughout. What they did was they held the ball a lot against us and they ran a lot of stuff and they used up a lot of time and that helped and benefited us.”

Corriveau also felt that his team didn’t take advantage of some of the opportunities. “We turned them over a dozen times in the first half and I don’t think we converted very many, maybe two.”

The coach gave it to his team at half time and they responded, “We had a lot of turnovers in the first half and we went in the locker room and the coach yelled at us,” said McKissick. “We wanted to come out in the second half and turn it around and that’s what we did. We reduced our turnovers and scored more baskets.”

Patrinos finished with a team high 17 points and was encouraged by his team’s ability to play better in the second half. “We struggled a little bit with their defense and then we got sorted out and we seemed to do good after that.”

Corriveau liked seeing Patrinos score but was happier about his play on both ends and praised he and his teammates’ defense. “He (Patrinos) played great defensive tonight. We were worried about a couple of their guys playing the inside and they were pretty good. What we did tonight was collapse and stayed on the ball and we knocked a lot of balls loose.”

Matthew Rayla also had a strong game for the 14-6 Rams with eight points and nine rebounds in the win and was happy with “the way his team played together.”

After splitting with Quabbin in the regular season, all the marbles will be on the line Thursday night and it should be a real battle between two very good basketball teams.

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Don Cote photo.

Don Cote photo.

Don Cote photo.

By Steev Riccardo

The Shepherd Hill Rams earned a clean sweep in the Southern Worcester County League Indoor Track Championship Meet last Wednesday Feb. 1) at Tantasqua Regional in Fiskdale.

Stella Worters set a league mark in the 2-mile run and also won the 1,000 meters, while teammates Kaleigh Durkan won the mile run and Emily Thibaud won the 600 meters, leading the Rams girls team.

Oxford’s Shelby Stretton finished fourth in the two-mile run, while Bartlett’s Kellie Powers held her own with a sixth place finish.

Rocco DiStefano and Nikita Truhanovitch of Bartlett

Emily Dawidczyk, who has dominated the 300 meters all season, continued her prowess with a big win.

Bartlett senior Alicia Garamy, who has had a strong season and shone on Wednesday, won the girls shot put.

On the boys’ side, the Rams’ Lee Harmon used an incredible final lap to win the two-mile run and Dan Stomski won the mile run for the victorious Shepherd Hill boys’ team.

Bartlett’s Nikita Truhanovitch continued his supremacy winning the 55-meter hurdles. Rocco DiStefano came in third in the 55-meter dash, while Truhanovitch came in sixth in what was a very fast field.

DiStefano also came in second in the 300 meters.

The Indians Arthur Hackenson, who was a strong competitor all season in the shot put competition, finished second overall.

The Tantasqua facility, one of the best around, had its best spectator turn- out, with fans coming from all over Southern Central Mass for the event.

The Championship meet included the following schools: Auburn, Bartlett, David Prouty, Grafton, Leicester, Millbury, Northbridge, Oxford, Shepherd Hill, Southbridge, Uxbridge, and host Tantasqua.

Kathryn Dobois, Jessica Bourassa and Gina Roderick of Oxford

Amy Panczyk and Alexis Poderworny

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Brooke Packard (12) takes control of the ball from Kaliegh Simmons (33) while getting a little hand-checking from Sarah Boucher (00).

Text and Photos by Don Cote

Led by the SWCL’s top scorer, Meghan Fornaro, the Shepherd Hill Lady Rams totally dismantled the Northbridge Lady Rams in a 64-44 debacle last Wednesday in front of appreciative hometown fans.

Fornaro is the latest in a long line of Ram point guards, taking over this year for the graduated Mary Barbale, Fornaro has established herself as the floor general, directing a potent offense of skilled and talented shooters, averaging 61ppg, led by Fornaro’s 19.2ppg, the Ram offense is a well-rounded scoring machine, able to put up points by anyone or from anywhere on the floor.

Well balanced scoring from the perimeter or driving hard to the basket for layups, the Ram offense is hard to defend.

Backing up Fornaro, sophomore Brooke Packard is emerging as the #2 go to shooter, averaging 9.7ppg, Packard is also a demon on defense, harassing opponents with speed and agility, slowing down their offense and forcing turnovers, Packard is evolving from a freshman year, playing with a lot more control and floor presence and a major cog in the Ram press.

Add to that mix, a supporting cast consisting of Christina Gauvin, Ciara McKissick, and Taylor Daniels all averaging 6.5ppg, precludes any opposing defense from trying to shut down Fornaro, the Rams have too many weapons and can hurt you from anywhere and by anyone on the floor.

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PHOTOS:

Meghan Fornaro (13) takes a short jumper.

Taylor Daniels (24) tosses in a short jumper over Mikaela Bernard (21)
while Katie Racicot (21) waits for a possible rebound.

Marissa Mancini (15) blocks a shot by Shelby Quill (23)

Marissa Mancini (15) grapples for control of a jump ball with
Mikaela Bernard (21)

DUDLEY, Mass. (Jan. 3) – Led by a career-high 23 points from junior guard Kristina Lindgren (Sturbridge, Mass.), the Nichols College women’s basketball team defeated visiting Framingham State, 60-49, Tuesday evening. The Bison snapped the Rams’ five-game win streak while winning their first game since December 3. Nichols improves to 2-7 overall while Framingham State dips to 7-3.

Lindgren scored 13 of her game-high total in the opening half, and finished the game shooting 7-for-15 from the floor while hitting 8 of 11 free throws. She added a game-high six assists, three steals and a team-best eight rebounds. Classmate Natalie Wilson (Bedford, N.H.) added 11 points, hitting 3 of 6 from three-point range, and Kasey Pelletier (Dunstable, Mass.) chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Framingham State newcomer Madeleine Park (Blue Hill, Maine) led the Rams in her first start with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Kristen Hoffman (Foxboro, Mass.) added 13.

Park sank a three-pointer for the game’s first basket, but Nichols didn’t look back after a pair of Lindgren baskets gave the Bison the lead within the opening three minutes. Nichols steadily built up to a double-digit lead, using a 50% effort from three-point range (4-of-8) to boost its way to a 12-point margin with less than two minutes remaining in the half, 28-16.

Returning from the break with a 30-21 lead in hand, Nichols allowed Framingham to come back within five points, 30-25, in the opening two minutes, but a Hayley Zophin (Framingham, Mass.) layup sent the Bison back on their way to a double-digit lead.

Nichols held its largest lead of the game with just over five minutes to play, a 16-point margin at 52-36, but the Rams started to chip away at a frantic pace led by Hoffman. Using a 13-4 run over the next four minutes, Framingham State cut the Bison’s lead back to seven, capped by a Park three-pointer. But the Bison defense came alive and held the rams scoreless over the remaining 1:35 to hold out for the 60-49 win.

Framingham outrebounded their hosts by a 49-39 margin, but the Bison parlayed 22 Rams turnovers into 21 points. Nichols held Framingham to just 26.6% shooting and to 8.1 points fewer than their scoring average.

Nichols returns to Commonwealth Coast Conference action Saturday in a 1 p.m. game at Wentworth. Framingham travels to Mount Ida Thursday for a 7 p.m. non-conference matchup.

Newspaper Box Score 

Framingham vs Nichols 01/03/12 7:00 PM at Dudley, Mass.

NICHOLS 60, FRAMINGHAM 49

FRAMINGHAM (7-3)

Madeleine Park 4-11 4-4 15; Kristen Hoffman 4-15 4-6 13; Kia Minor 2-4 0-1

4; Cassie Liston 2-11 0-0 4; Michelle Hagerty 2-4 0-0 4; Nicole Bostic 2-7

0-2 4; Patrecia Bradshaw 0-0 2-2 2; Jill Johnson 1-4 0-0 2; Samantha Irvine

0-1 1-2 1; Emily Clark 0-2 0-0 0; Margo McCarthy 0-5 0-0 0. Totals 17-64

11-17 49.

NICHOLS (2-7)

Kristina Lindgren 7-15 8-11 23; Natalie Wilson 3-8 2-3 11; Kasey Pelletier

4-9 0-2 10; Alexis Wegrzynek 3-7 0-0 6; Chelsea Shaughnessy 2-4 0-0 4;

Hayley Zophin 1-4 2-2 4; Emily Yourie 1-4 0-1 2; Sarah Whitestone 0-4 0-0 0;

Carly Turpel 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 21-58 12-19 60.

Framingham.................... 21 28 - 49

Nichols....................... 30 30 - 60

3-point goals--Framingham 4-26 (Madeleine Park 3-8; Kristen Hoffman 1-8;

Cassie Liston 0-3; Nicole Bostic 0-2; Jill Johnson 0-2; Margo McCarthy 0-3),

Nichols 6-16 (Natalie Wilson 3-6; Kasey Pelletier 2-3; Kristina Lindgren

1-5; Sarah Whitestone 0-2). Fouled out--Framingham-Kia Minor, Nichols-None.

Rebounds--Framingham 49 (Madeleine Park 8), Nichols 39 (Kristina Lindgren

8). Assists--Framingham 14 (Nicole Bostic 2; Madeleine Park 2; Kia Minor 2;

Kristen Hoffman 2), Nichols 17 (Kristina Lindgren 6). Total fouls--Framingham 21, Nichols 18. Technical fouls--Framingham-None, Nichols-None. A-134

--Hillary Haynes

Sports Information Director