Bromfield’s Kirsten Sundeen slows down her opponent in a recent game. (Photo by Ellen Harasimowicz)
The Bromfield girls basketball team first beat Littleton earlier in the season at the Tigers’ den, but this time defeated them at home in front of fan-packed bleachers with a final score of 46-25 on Friday, Feb. 3. This victory against Littleton was Bromfield’s 13th win of the season and fifth win in a row.
In the first quarter, Bromfield had seven rebounds as a team and played a very effective two-one-two zone defense. Senior co-captain Katja Lierhaus and junior starting guard Casey Magrath each had one steal.
Lierhaus made two consecutive free throw baskets after being fouled on a shot taken off an assist from Magrath. Montana Burke, junior co-captain, made five points in back-to-back offensive plays with a three-point shot and a layup.
Initially, the home team struggled offensively because Littleton’s aggressiveness unsettled and disrupted the Trojans generally fluid offense.
Coach Mike Dube said he thought the first quarter was the toughest one for his team.
“Littleton came out with very physical play and we were not initially responding,” he said.
Lierhaus had a strong second quarter with two steals, five out of Bromfield’s six points for the quarter and an offensive foul called against Littleton. Further defensive strength was exhibited by sophomore starting center Sue Ross’s three rebounds as well as Magrath’s two defensive steals and dive to the floor to fight for a loose ball.
Bromfield was up by only four points going into the second half, 15 to 11.
“We ran the floor well, we were aggressive, and we were not afraid to dive on the floor for loose balls or take offensive charges,” Lierhaus said. “The effort yesterday was one of the best I’ve seen and we progressively played with more fire as the game went on.”
The Trojans outscored their opponents in the third quarter, 20 points to Littleton’s four. In one of Bromfield’s highest-scoring quarters of the season to date, Ross scored six points, Burke had five, and Magrath finished with three. Lierhaus, freshman Amy Jorgenson, and senior Katie Drummey each scored two points.
Finishing the quarter with a significant lead of 35 to 15, Bromfield established itself as the stronger team on the court.
“Everything about our game was completely on in the third quarter,” said freshman Megan Cullinan. “We just played our game tonight.”
Freshman Kirsten Sundeen stood out in the fourth quarter with six rebounds. Burke had one steal and two points while Lierhaus scored three points. Magrath had three points and two assists. With only three seconds left in the game, Sundeen was fouled and made one free throw.
“Throughout the first half, Littleton was definitely controlling the tempo of the game,” Dube said. “But in the second half we really took over and stepped up our play all around; the biggest difference was that our defense improved which is important because we get our offense from our defense.”
When asked about Bromfield’s improved play in the second half, junior Dareen Kanaan said: “Initially, Littleton was playing a lot harder than we expected but we came back full force in the second because we had figured out exactly what we needed to do to come out with a win.”
Bromfield has two more league games left, against West Boylston High School and Maynard High School on Feb. 13 and Feb. 16, respectively. The girls play their last game at home on Feb. 21 against Montachusett Technical High School.
