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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The Walpole High School girls varsity basketball team hosted Braintree on Friday night as the Rebels (11-5, 7-4) looked to end a two-game losing skid, as well as complete the season sweep of the Wamps (5-10, 4-8) following a 42-30 win at Braintree on January 7.
A pair of layups by sophomore guard Natalie Griffin (eight points), as well as back-to-back 3-pointers by senior captain and guard Sydney Scales (15 points) allowed Walpole to jump out to a 16-4 lead midway through the first quarter. Braintree cut the deficit down to 17-10 before a 3-point play by freshman guard Brooke Walonis (eight points) extended Walpole’s lead back to double digits at the end of one quarter at 20-10.
A layup by Walonis and a pair of free throws by Scales allowed Walpole to bulk its lead to 25-10 early in the second quarter. A pair of 3-pointers by Griffin and senior Alison Giffen pushed the lead to 31-13. Scales reached double figures with a 2-point floater, followed by a layup, to push the lead to 20 at 35-15. A 3-pointer by freshman Haley Brigham (seven points) and two more free throws by Scales in the final 30 seconds of the quarter bulked the lead to 42-19 for Walpole at halftime.
Walpole’s lead grew to as many as 30 midway through the third quarter as the onslaught continued. A 2-point jumper by Scales was followed by a 3-pointer by senior captain and guard Elisabeth Roche (eight points) to make it a 47-21 game. Consecutive 3-pointers by Walonis and senior captain Ainsley Dundon (seven points) pushed the lead to 53-23. The Rebels took a 55-30 lead into the final quarter and came away with the eventual 60-46 victory.
Walpole will look to continue the winning when the Rebels travel to Milton on February 11.
For funny and insightful sports analysis as well as video highlights of games, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
