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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Following victories over Notre Dame Academy (69-38) and Wayland (65-37), the Medfield High School girls varsity basketball team met up with familiar foe, Hopkinton, on Saturday in the 2017 MIAA Girls Division II Central Sectional Finals at WPI in Worcester.
The top-seeded Warriors (21-2) got out to a fast start on Saturday against the second-seeded Hillers (20-3), putting together a dominant first half of play and finishing it off with a strong fourth quarter, winning by a final of 49-42 and claiming the Central Sectional title.
The Warriors jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead out of the gate, and entered the second quarter ahead at 11-6 thanks to the slick three-point shooting by junior guard Maggie McCarthy. The lady-Warriors continued to dominate in the second quarter, as a buzzer beating two-pointer from the top of the key by senior forward Lauren Casieri extended the Medfield lead to 12 at the half at 24-12.
Hopkinton was able to pick up the pace to start the third second half, but despite outscoring the Warriors 15-13 in quarter three, Medfield entered the final frame still ahead by double digits at 37-27 thanks to critical defensive rebounds by Maggie McCarthy, two steals by senior guard Allie Petit, and strong play in the paint by senior captain and guard Meg Zona.
The Hillers were able to cut the lead to eight at 44-36 with 1:49 to play, but Medfield would not be denied the Sectional crown, as McCarthy sank three of her four free throw attempts in the game’s final minute to allow Medfield to pull away from the Hillers and win by a final of 49-42.
At the time of print, the Warriors will travel to the DCU Center on Monday in Worcester to take on Pittsfield, champion of the West Sectional, in the state semifinals.
