Groton Girls Win Holiday Basketball Tournament
Groton's girls varsity basketball team clinched the championship in the annual holiday tournament, beating Lawrence Academy in a hard-fought final game on December 18.
The day before, Groton had beat Taft School and Phillips Exeter Academy to earn a spot in the final game, while LA beat Phillips Academy Andover and Sacred Heart. The championship game started off with both teams trading baskets before Groton went on a 7–0 run at the end of the first half, giving the Groton girls a 34–24 lead. LA stepped up their defense in the third quarter, holding Groton to only three points and narrowing the lead to a nail-biting 37–35.
The game remained tight in the last quarter until Groton pulled ahead for good with another 7–0 run and a 52–42 win!
The day before, Groton had beat Taft School and Phillips Exeter Academy to earn a spot in the final game, while LA beat Phillips Academy Andover and Sacred Heart. The championship game started off with both teams trading baskets before Groton went on a 7–0 run at the end of the first half, giving the Groton girls a 34–24 lead. LA stepped up their defense in the third quarter, holding Groton to only three points and narrowing the lead to a nail-biting 37–35.
The game remained tight in the last quarter until Groton pulled ahead for good with another 7–0 run and a 52–42 win!
Calie Messina '22 led a balanced scoring attack with fifteen points, followed by twelve-point-earners Jojo Sulmasy '23 and Maria Montero '25. Grace Janusz '24 chipped in with seven points, and Katie Resendiz '22 with six.
Calie averaged fifteen points per game, which earned her the tournament MVP honors. “This was a complete team effort. We were short-handed due to a couple injuries and the girls showed their toughness and determination throughout the tournament,” said Groton head coach Joe Crail. "I couldn’t be more proud of them."
The victory was Groton’s first in the thirteen-year-old tournament. The win also propelled the team to an impressive 6–1 record heading into the long holiday break. Congratulations to the team, and to Coaches Crail, Kate Dennison, and Katie Kreider.
The victory was Groton’s first in the thirteen-year-old tournament. The win also propelled the team to an impressive 6–1 record heading into the long holiday break. Congratulations to the team, and to Coaches Crail, Kate Dennison, and Katie Kreider.
Groton School Mission: To inspire lives of character, scholarship, leadership, and service within a diverse, inclusive, and close-knit community.
© 2023 Groton School. All Rights Reserved.
