Hopkinton stifles Medfield

SCHOOLS

In Hopkinton’s biggest game to date, the road to victory followed a similar path.

Last night, the Hillers defense stepped up again by holding an opponent to less than 40 points for the fifth time this season, as they knocked off Medfield, 45-35, to gain sole possession of first place in the Tri-Valley League girls basketball standings.

Hopkinton limited the Warriors to just 21 percent shooting for the game and 3-for-21 from the field in the first half.

Offensively, the Hillers (7-1, 6-0) were paced by Ivy Gogolin’s 14 points and eight rebounds.

“We spend a lot of time on defense in practice because it’s one thing we know we can control,” said Hopkinton coach Mike Greco. “That helped us build a lead in the first half, and when they made a run we responded.”

Trailing 38-32, the Warriors made one last run to begin the final stanza. Erin Seibel knocked down consecutive 3-pointers before Emma Anderson hit a free throw to pull Medfield within 38-33 with five minutes left.

The Hillers stingy defense refused to break, however, as the unit came away with five straight stops before Lillian Morningstar finished a threepoint play to put Hopkinton back up 10.

“I am thrilled with the mental toughness that we showed,” said Greco. “We have not always had that. We knew it was a game of runs. They’re a terrific team. In the end, we fought through it.”

Using their full court man-to-man pressure, the Hillers were able to wear down Medfield’s guards early, as they held the Warriors to just 1-for-17 shooting in the opening quarter.

Meanwhile, Marissa Prall’s two early 3’s catapulted Hopkinton to a 13-4 lead after one.

An early second quarter triple by Anderson pulled the Warriors back to within five. but the Hillers responded with a 7-0 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Regan Keavany (14 points) and a steal and score by Gogolin en route to a 25-10 lead at the half.

In a Bay State Conference tilt, Jenna Roche netted a game-high 15 points, carrying Braintree (3-1) to a 55-47 victory over Wellesley . ... Kaylin Reen posted 16 points to lead Norwood (3-3) to a 49-39 victory over Framingham.

Lauren Kelleher and Maddie O’Connell controlled the glass, pulling down a combined 27 rebounds, as Abington (6-2) evaded Cohasset, 37-31, in a South Shore League contest.

In a nonleague tilt, Emma Found, Katty and Korine Haidel combined for 49 points as Matignon (4-0) stormed to a 78-39 win over Innovation.

In the Cape Ann League, Krysta Padellaro poured in 20 points as Newburyport (6-0) topped Lynnfield, 58-38.

In the Catholic Central League, Jess Knight had 18 points and 10 rebounds as Archbishop Williams (60) knocked off Arlington Catholic, 80-47.

Boys basketball

Jimmy Arneil drained four 3-pointers en route to 18 points, propelling Mystic Valley (6-2) to a 65-53 victory over Innovation in a nonleague contest.

In the Bay State Conference, Shane MacNeil converted two free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining, as Braintree (3-3) survived a thriller with Wellesley, 53-51.

In a Catholic Central League contest, Jack Connaughton had 13 points to help Arlington Catholic (24) defeat Archbishop Williams, 67-46.

In the Tri-Valley League, Chris Brooks tallied 19 points as Medway (4-3) nabbed a 57-48 victory over Millis.