The Bromfield girls varsity basketball team lost 54-44 to Tahanto Regional High School on Friday, Feb. 11. It was the Trojans’ last home game of the season, leaving them with a season record of 10-6. Despite the loss, the packed stands brought energy and spirit to the team, as the seniors dealt with bittersweet emotions and prepared to go into playoffs.
Ella O’Neil looks to pass in a game against Tahanto, Feb. 11. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
The Trojans fell behind early in the game, trailing the Stags 25-15 by the end of the first half. In the third quarter, Tahanto’s lead grew, bringing the score to 39-24. After a series of 3-pointers scored by sophomore Nora Clarke, freshman Kristin Pacl, and senior co-captain Tallie Dutkewych, the Trojans narrowed the point gap to 10.
At every basket, Bromfield’s fans erupted with cheers. Senior co-captain Chloe Scornavacca said the team hadn’t had that many spectators in years. “To see that many people show up, show out, and have that much energy really helped us focus and bring more energy back into the second half.”
Bromfield Coach Anne McWaters was in agreement: “The girls feed off of that energy, and to have that for senior night I think was huge.” In the third quarter, a row of boys in the stands chanted “defense” loudly. “You hear that when you’re out on the court, and it makes you want to step up and play harder defense, so I couldn’t have been happier with it,” said McWaters.
This was the last home game at Bromfield for seniors Julia Defoe, Dutkewych, Madison Hood, Ashley Sampson, Scornavacca, and Marley Roy. None of the players is pursuing basketball in college.
For the team’s seniors, the night was emotional. Defoe said she was sad to leave the team and Coach McWaters, with whom she worked for four seasons, as both a junior varsity and varsity player. Scornavacca also said the night was bittersweet, “I love our team so much … I’ve learned that they’re such close family to me, and I love spending time with them every day, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
The team played its first of two Midland-Wachusett League championship games Monday, Feb. 14, against Tyngsborough High School, losing 59-31. The Mid-Wach championship scores add to a team’s win-loss record and will help determine its final Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association power ranking. The top 32 teams in the MIAA Division 5 rankings or teams with a win-loss record of at least .500 will be invited to compete in the state tournament. As of Feb. 10, the Trojans ranked 29th among the 91 teams in Division 5. The most recent standing is now a 10-7 win-loss record.
While the Trojans lost Monday’s game, the league playoffs are not over. Bromfield was scheduled to play at least one more game, this one away against Ayer Shirley on Thursday, Feb. 17.
Olivia Muller-Juez is a sophomore at the Bromfield School.
