Article By: Mark BrysonCAMBRIDGE — The challenge facing the Resurrection Phoenix was to remain perfect in District 8 senior girls basketball league play while their leading scorer sat on the bench and nursed a bad ankle.
It wasn’t pretty but the Phoenix managed to do just that on Wednesday afternoon, overcoming the loss of Grade 11 rookie Sarah Schulz and posting a 27-19 win over the St. Benedict Saints. The Phoenix improved to 6-0 in the D8 standings while the Saints dropped to 3-4.
Schulz, who is averaging 23.2 points per game for Rez this year, didn’t dress after hurting her ankle in a tournament game over the weekend. She isn’t expected back until next week at the earliest.
Rez players responded by playing a strong defensive game and scoring just enough to get the win against a team they beat 38-12 earlier this season.
“It was really important for us to win without Sarah. It kind of showed that we are a strong team all-around and that we work really well together, regardless of who’s in or who’s out,” said Grade 12 player Marley Niescier, who led Rez with nine points.
“We knew we had to step it up as a team and that one person couldn’t do it alone.”
Schulz was missed the most on offence. The Phoenix still managed to move the ball around the perimeter in her absence, but struggled to make the most of open shots.
“We usually pass it around like that but it usually stops with Sarah because she’s such a good shooter,” said Niescier.
Both teams struggled early on offence and the first half ended with Rez holding a 9-8 lead. Niescier scored five over her team-leading nine points in the opening eight minutes. Andrea Philippi added eight for the winners.
Hilary Ferguson was St. Benedict’s top player. Despite being nabbed several times for travelling, she led her team with 12 points and recorded several blocked shots. Meaghan McFall added four.
The Saints managed to hang around for much of the second half and were very much in at 21-19 before Niescier extended the lead to four with 2:21 to play.
Injuries have also hit the Saints, who were playing without Dana Milani and Janelle Case, and only received limited minutes from Brooke Wanklin. All three were starters last year.
“Hopefully we’ll meet them again in the finals and have all our players back by then,” said Ferguson. “We’ve got to work on a few things but it should be a good match.”
Niescier doesn’t care which team faces Rez in the final, she just wants to get there and finally win it after finishing in second place for the past three years.
The St. Mary’s Eagles sit alone in second place with a 5-1 record while the Woodland Cavaliers are next at 3-3.
Retrieved From: http://www.therecord.com/sports/highschool/article/819295--res-holds-tough-with-their-leader
-----------
Meanwhile, in other D8 action on Wednesday, the senior MDCSS Mustangs picked up their first win of the year, squeaking past Rockway in a 32-30 game.
Courtney Van Allen led Doyle with 13, while Leah Flanagan added 10. Emma Kschesinski had 17 for Rockway.
In junior action, St. Benedict received 15 from Kayla Leusink and knocked Rez from the unbeaten ranks with a 40-36 win. Unfortunately for the Saints, Rez still holds the edge between the two teams if they finish tied at the end of the season (+2 +/- in the two games played). That said, both teams still have a couple of tough games left, including St. David on the schedule.
The other games were all decided by comfortable margins.
St. David topped St. Mary's 37-20, backed by 13 from Bobbi-Sue Hentges and 5 from Liz Scanlon. Becca Siewert had 8 and Sara Jankovic 6 for the Eagles.
Woodland virtually solidified the "A" CWOSSA berth by handling PRDG 49-13. Julianna Thomson poured in 26 for the Cavaliers, while Christine Boileau had 11 of the PRDG points.
Lastly, Victoria Barroso netted 22 to pace Doyle to a 55-31 win over Rockway. Danielle Weicker had 10 to lead the Flames in that one.
D8 Senior Standings
1. Resurrection 6-0*
2. St. Mary's 5-1
3. Woodland 3-3
4. St. Benedict 3-4
------
5. Mons. Doyle 1-5
6. Rockway 1-6
* - clinched playoff berth
D8 Junior Standings
T1. Resurrection 8-1
T1. St. Benedict 8-1
3. St. David 7-2
4. St. Mary's 5-4
-----
5. Mons. Doyle 4-5
6. Woodland 3-6
7. PRDG 1-8
8. Rockway 0-9
