The Fenwick girls basketball team wanted to set an up-tempo and aggressive tone against Malden Catholic in front of its home crowd Monday night. The Crusaders were successful in doing so, as their defense stifled the Lancers all game long en route to a 63-36 victory.
The Crusaders wasted no time taking control, jumping out to an 11-3 lead in the first three minutes of action. Key plays in the run were a coast-to-coast drive by freshman Anna Fertonani, and a straight-away three-pointer from junior captain Cecilia Kay. The Crusaders held a 20-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Malden Catholic switched to a zone defense in the second quarter, slowing down Fenwick’s pace to start the frame, but the Crusaders adjusted a couple minutes into the second and outscored the Lancers 13-5. Fenwick took a 33-15 lead into halftime with Kay leading the way (19 points, eight rebounds at halftime).
Fenwick head coach Adam DeBaggis was impressed with Kay’s performance, and is starting to see consistency in her performances night in and night out.
“Cecilia [Kay] has been great the last three games.” DeBaggis said. “Cecilia has always been a double-double threat, but I have seen real growth from her being a talented player to now becoming a great player that does everything. Cecilia is passing the ball great, finishing shots she was missing earlier in season, and is the most vocal player out on the court.”
The Crusaders’ defense continued to dominate in the second half. Fenwick sophomore Caroline Perry jumped the passing lane, stole the ball, and took it the length of the court for an uncontested layup on the first play of the third quarter.
DeBaggis was happy to see his team’s defense perform so well.
“I am a big believer in having our defense play with great energy and to be aggressive,” DeBaggis said. “I think the girls really like playing this way, and they have been playing this style, especially in the last two games.”
Fenwick outscored Malden Catholic 18-6 in the third. Back-to-back three-pointers from senior captain Erica Lendall gave the Crusaders a 46-17 lead with 3:45 left in the frame.
Fenwick has a good mix of experience and youth, but DeBaggis does not see it this way.
“You want to continue to grow up until February and March, especially this year more than most,” DeBaggis said. “Cecilia is really the only girl that got a lot of playing time on the court last year. Even the older girls, much like the younger girls, are now learning a lot and will continue to do so with more game-time experience they have.”
Kay controlled the game for Fenwick from beginning to end, finishing with game-highs of 25 points and 13 rebounds alongside four blocks and three assists. Fertonani finished with 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
