IPSWICH — Ipswich and Hamilton-Wenham both went into last night's Cape Ann League showdown with an urgency to win.
For the Generals it was to keep their season alive: A victory would've secured them a spot in the state tournament. The Tigers on the other hand were eager to reclaim the CAL title, something they missed out on last year.
When all was said and done, Ipswich (15-3) captured the crown and put an end to the Generals hopes of futhering their season. Hamilton-Wenham (9-9) watched the scoreboard as the final buzzer sounded — 46-37, in favor of the Tigers.
For the fifth time in six seasons, Ipswich won the CAL small title.
"It was huge," said Ipswich head coach Mandy Zegarowski. "We knew we needed to win this game to win the league. Some of the girls on the team, were around when we won the CAL in the past, so they really wanted to do it again this year."
The Tigers took a commanding 26-14 at the break, but it was the play of the Generals in the early minutes of the third quarter that broke the game wide open.
Hamilton-Wenham went on a 9-0 run to start the season half and cut the deficit to a point. Taylor Morong hit back-to-back baskets to start the quarter and the Generals fed off the play of their junior forward.
"In the locker room at half time, these (Hamilton-Wenham) girls wanted it," explained Generals' coach Bill Burridge. "We came out and played as hard as we could and the credit goes to the girls on the team. We got beat by a good club, but our girls walked out with their heads held high."
Ipswich's Julia Davis made a lay up with 2:46 left in the quarter, and Masey Zegarowski hit a jumper to end the quarter, with the Generals trailing by seven.
The Generals would trail by one point, once more in the game, but never regained the lead after giving it up early in the first quarter.
Ipswich let the Generals hang around, especially early in the second half. The Tigers only shot one for 21 from beyond the arc, something they rarely do as a team.
"I don't think we played very well as a team," Zegarowski said. "At this point in the season there's no excuse for that. We had to get the ball inside, even though (the Generals) were playing a box and one. But the girls did a good job at getting Jules the ball inside."
When needed, Davis mustered out the win for her team. The junior forward finished with a double-double, including 22 points and 15 rebounds. Davis scored 10 in the fourth quarter, finishing down low under the basket.
"She was great for us," added Zegarowski. "It just shows that she's a big time player. I thought she played very well down the stretch and really showed that she wanted this win for us."
Victoria Tansey (10 points) and Sophie Prince (seven points) played in their last high school game for the Hamilton-Wenham.
"The two of them have been great roll models for the younger girls on the team," Burridge said of his senior captains. "They're two of the most wonderful kids I ever coached. They give you everything on the court, they're leaders off the court and they're outstanding citizens in the school."
