BERNARDIANS STORM TO WIN ON SENIOR NIGHT
Alvarez erupts for 27 points in victory
It was a case of better late than never for the St. Bernard’s girls basketball team.
In a contest originally scheduled for Dec. 16, but postponed due to inclement weather, the Bernardians squared off with Narragansett Regional Tuesday evening inside the Activity Center.
Led by Angelys Alvarez’s game-high 27 points, the hosts recorded a much-needed win, cruising to a 53-31 triumph on Senior Night.
With the win, St. Bernard’s is back to .500 on the season at 6-6. The traveling Warriors left Fitchburg still looking for their first win, dropping to 0-9 overall.
“I thought we did a really nice job passing the basketball against Narragansett’s zone defense,” Bernardians head coach Keith Boissoneau said. “We showed a lot of patience and moved the ball really well.”
St. Bernard’s honored its senior class following Tuesday’s contest, with Erin Canning, Lily Kenney and Elyanna Centeno were recognized for their tireless dedication to the Bernardian basketball program.
“As I tried describe tonight during the ceremony, what it meant to have leadership and leaders. It’s so critical to the success of the team. It goes beyond the X’s and O’s,” Boissoneau said of his seniors. “I’m so proud. They are three tremendous young ladies with great character, on the basketball court and off.”
Helping carry the load offensively on Tuesday for the winning side were Devyn Booth, Elisabeth Gardiner, Centeno, Bella Dee and Canning, who each scored four points for the Bernardians.
Leading the charge for the Warriors was Brielle Haddocks and Amanda Iannacone, each scoring eight points.
St. Bernard’s built a 15-8 lead after one quarter and stretched it to a 25-17 lead heading into halftime. The hosts picked up a boost heading into the locker room when Alvarez completed a three-point play as the buzzer sounded to end the half. Alvarez was fouled on a successful jumper and knocked down the free throw as the Bernardians sprinted into halftime with a solid lead.
The hosts picked up right where they left off to start the third stanza. St. Bernard’s kicked off the frame by scoring 14 of the first 16 points over the first four and a half minutes to stretch the advantage to 39-19.
The Bernardians never relinquished the lead the remainder of the way as they carried a 43-22 upper hand into the final quarter.
The Bernardians will continue to push toward qualifying for a postseason spot in the Division 5 Tournament with six games remaining on the schedule. St. Bernard’s returns to action Friday evening when it hosts the North High at the Activity Center.
“We’re really not looking ahead of tomorrow’s practice,” said Boissoneau. “Focus on coming in tomorrow and getting better. We have a big game against North on Friday, that will be our next focus.”