Silk, Warriors outlast Dolley, Wolverines

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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor

Two of the TVL’s elite met on the hardwood on Friday night as the Medfield High girls (who are currently ranked 17th in the state by the Boston Herald) hosted Westwood. The Warriors (9-2, 8-2) entered looking to remain unbeaten at home and complete the season sweep of the Wolverines (9-3, 7-3), following a 51-38 victory at Westwood back on December 20.

Behind a big performance by junior captain and forward Camilla Silk (13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, six steals), the Warriors put together a dominant second half to come away with a 41-22 victory. Sophomore guard Annie McCarthy also led the Warriors with nine points and four steals. Junior guard Julia Dolley led Westwood with 11 points.

Medfield began the game on a 6-0 run, thanks to a layup and free throw by Silk, followed by a 3-point play from senior captain and forward Kayla McNeil (eight points). Westwood responded with a 7-0 run, thanks to layups by Chloe Callahan and Caitlin Fleming, followed by a 3-pointer by Dolley to claim a 7-6 lead. Silk banked home a layup in the final minute to give Medfield back the lead at the end of one quarter at 9-7.

A layup early in the second quarter by McCarthy gave the Warriors a four-point lead at 11-7. The lead grew to as many as six for Medfield following a layup by sophomore guard Hannah Sampson. The Wolverines climbed back to within three at 13-10, but a steal by McNeil, followed by a layup from McNeil just before the buzzer, allowed Medfield to extend its lead to 15-10 at halftime.

The third quarter served as the game’s turning point as Medfield’s full-court defensive press began to wear down Westwood. With the game at 15-12 in favor of Medfield, the Warriors went on a 9-3 run, thanks to a pair of layups and free throws by Silk, a layup by McCarthy and a layup by senior captain and guard Tess Patry to make it a 24-15 game. Following a Westwood timeout, back-to-back layups by freshman guard Kate Olenik and McCarthy made it a 28-15 game. A 2-point floater by Kate Kissell just before the buzzer made it a 28-17 game at the end of three quarters.

A 3-pointer by Olenik to begin the fourth quarter extended Medfield’s lead to 31-17. A pair of free throws from Silk, along with layups by Silk and McCarthy, allowed the lead to grow to as many as 22 at 39-17. The Warriors chewed out the remainder of the clock and came away with the 41-22 victory.

Medfield will look to continue its winning ways when the Warriors host Dedham on January 31, while Westwood will try and get back on track against Millis the same night.

For funny and insightful sports analysis as well as video highlights of games, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.