Bounce Passes
Gianna Addario
TOPSFIELD— Last night made the running total 157.
In his 10 years as the Masconomet girls basketball head coach, Bob Romeo earned his 157th win in a 61-29 run away victory over Cambridge.
Before tip-off, the seniors were recognized along with their parents for their contributions to the team. Unbeknownst to Romeo, the seniors had a special presentation for their coach to honor his decade of service to the Chieftain program.
Senior co-captain Brooke Stewart ceremoniously handed her coach a special plaque that team had made for Romeo and the Chieftain crowd gave him a well deserved standing ovation.
"It's not about me," said Romeo after the game. "But it was nice, I enjoyed it. It was supposed to be their night, I told them 'It's your night, it isn't a night to honor me.' I appreciate it though, these kids have worked so hard for me.
"I had Brooke and Danielle (Davis) both since they were freshman. I remember their first career game, they had to come out because they had metal clips in their hair. I said to Danielle's father before last night's game 'Doesn't it just seem like yesterday they had the metal clips in.'"
Romeo has built Masco into one of the premiere programs in the state. He has dedicated countless hours to the girls over the past 10 years and led his teams to three Cape Ann League titles (2003, '06 and '08).
As head coach, Romeo started the Masconomet Girls Basketball Holiday Invitational in 2006, which has become one of the more prestigious holiday tournaments in Eastern Mass.
This season, Masconomet has already qualified for the tournament and stands at an impressive 13-2, with five games left to play on the schedule.
"Coach Romeo is the man," Stewart said of her coach. "I've known him since I was real little, he coached my sister Caroline. He's such a great guy and he knows the game so well and he dedicates so many hours to this team — and the fact that we share the same love of the game, it's awesome.
"As a player he's really helped my mental toughness, so it was nice to be able to surprise him."
Stewart, who finished with a game-high 34 points last night, has been around the program almost as long as Romeo as she watched her sister play for the Chieftains as well. The College of William and Mary bound Stewart dominated at both ends of the court, grabbed 16 rebounds and contained the Falcons' Donnaizha Fountain to just 12 points.
Davis started the game, but took a charge in the first quarter and slammed her head on the hardwood. The senior forward recalls her four-year career under Romeo and the difference he's made in her style of play.
"He completely transformed my game," explained Davis. "I came in as a little scared freshman and he really helped spark my confidence. I started out as just a post player, a big clumsy post player and now I'm shooting 3s. He's built my confidence and changed the way I played."
After Davis left the game, Masco turned up the volume and flew up and down the court. The Chieftains held Cambridge to eight points in the first half—the second game in a row they have been able to stifle their opponents to single digit first half points. Not only can they score, but they truly have the ability to completely shut teams down.
"It's been such a great ride with the entire team," added Romeo. "I don't want it to end, five games left, plus the state tournament."
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Marblehead's Emily Freedland has come into her own as one of the five starter. The sophomore guard has been the Magicians' (8-7) leading scorer with 150 points through 14 games.
After missing the win against Danvers last Friday with a sprained ankle, Freedland rejoined her team on Tuesday in the loss against Saugus. Freedland didn't start, but she did play limited minutes off the bench and managed nine points on three 3-pointers.
"It's been hard watching the team play and not being able to play," said Freedland. "There have been times when I wanted to jump right in. Everyone steps up when someone is injured and we had a great game against Danvers."
The Magicians are hoping that Freedland is back to full strength soon. With four games left on the schedule, Marblehead needs two wins to clinch a playoff spot.
• • •
Peabody got a big win over Beverly on Tuesday night, 58-35, to continue their run at making it to the post season. At 6-9, the Tanners need to win four out of the next five games to earn a tournament seed.
Lynn Classical is on the agenda for the Tanners tonight at home, with the game slated for a 7 p.m. tip off. The last time the two battled each other, Peabody owned the victory, 46-19.
• • •
Ipswich is back on the schedule tonight after being off since last Friday. The Tigers match up against Manchester Essex on the road and are looking to make it three wins in a row.
Junior Julia Davis continues to lead the team offensively with 190 points in 15 games. Freshman point guard Masey Zegarowski has really wowed everyone this season. At 5-foot-6, Zegarowski has been able to develop an outside game and manages to run the show at the point.
Shannon McFayden and Brigid O'Flynn have added a uniqueness to the team and freshman Caroline Soucey has played a supporting role off the bench.
At 12-3, the Tigers have already punched their post season ticket.
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Bounce Passes, a column on North Shore girls basketball, runs in The Salem News every Friday during the winter sports season. Contact Gianna Addario at GAddario@salemnews.com, 978-338-2615 and follow her on Twitter @GiannaAddarioSN.
