By Ken Chaisson
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The Walpole Timberwolves girls’ basketball team’s (14-9) postseason journey came to an end Saturday, March 8 with a 49-35 loss to the Worcester South Community School Colonels (18-4) in the Division 2 quarterfinals at Worcester South’s gym.
The Colonels, known as “South,” advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Burlington and Pembroke. They were awarded a home game due to their gym’s larger capacity, providing a raucous atmosphere for the matchup.
Under the guidance of head coach Diago McClain, a Worcester native, South has built a program rooted in defensive intensity. The Colonels typically hold opponents under 40 points per game, a trend that continued Saturday. Since McClain took over in 2021, South has compiled an impressive 79-9 record over four seasons, including a trip to the Division 2 state final last March, where they fell to Medfield. This season, McClain bolstered his team’s schedule with out-of-state opponents in Virginia and New Jersey, aiming to prepare his squad for a championship run.
Walpole, which defeated South 54-40 in the 2022 playoffs, entered the game with its own pedigree. Playing in a hostile environment, the Timberwolves showed resilience early, trailing just 13-9 after the first quarter. By halftime, South extended its lead to 23-16, thanks to a clutch three-pointer by Tori Adams as time expired.
The Timberwolves struggled offensively, hitting only one three-pointer all game and failing to replicate the balanced attack that propelled them past Tewksbury in the previous round. Despite the challenges, Walpole clawed back in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 26-22 midway through the period. By the end of the third, South led 32-27, keeping the game within reach.
Walpole’s grit and determination shone through as they narrowed the gap to 36-32 with 4:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, South’s defense and execution down the stretch proved too much, as the Colonels pulled away to secure the victory.
Junior Bella Bingham led Walpole with 23 of the team’s 35 points, showcasing her scoring ability in a tough environment. South was paced by sophomore point guard Lydia Charlonne, who knocked down five three-pointers for 15 points, and senior Bryan Boscones, who added 14. Boscones, a 1,000-point scorer for the Colonels, provided crucial leadership in the win.
The loss marked the final game for Walpole seniors Sydney Bissonnette, Maran Gallivan, Caroline Doran, and Caroline Chase, who will graduate this spring. Their contributions to the program over the years were celebrated as their high school careers came to a close.
Despite the defeat, Walpole’s defense held South under 50 points, a testament to the team’s tenacity. The Timberwolves’ magical playoff run may have ended, but their season was a testament to perseverance and teamwork.
