Raiders’ defense doesn’t rest

Watertown High School girls’ basketball team locks up Danvers, 52-33, to advance in MIAA Division 2 state tournament

Raider Times photo / Melissa Rose
Watertown High’s defense limited visiting Danvers to 14 first-half points as the host Raiders went on to win their MIAA Division 2 North tournament game, 52-33, on Friday, March 4, 2016.

Amin Touri, Raider Times staff

Business as usual. 

Shannon Murphy is introduced along with her Watertown High teammates at the MIAA Division 2 North girls' basketball tournament game with visiting Danvers on Friday, March 4, 2016. The junior center had 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks in a 52-33 win Friday, March 4, 2016.
Raider Times photo / Melissa Rose
Shannon Murphy is introduced along with her Watertown High teammates at the MIAA Division 2 North girls’ basketball tournament game with visiting Danvers on Friday, March 4, 2016. The junior center had 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks in a 52-33 win Friday, March 4, 2016.

With an extra few days of rest in their legs from a first-round bye, the Watertown High girls’ basketball team cruised to a 52-33 win over visiting Danvers on Friday night, March 4, 2016.

Senior Felicia Korte led the charge for the top-seeded Raiders, dropping 16 points on the night to lead all scorers. Junior Shannon Murphy was solid on both ends of the floor, adding 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks to anchor the Raiders defense.

“I thought we played well,” said Watertown coach Pat Ferdinand. “We came out with a lot of energy, shot the ball really well early, and we did a good job crashing on the weak side against the 2-3 [zone].” 

Junior Hanna and Jenna McMahon sing the nation anthem prior to Watertown's 52-33 win over visiting Danvers in the MIAA Division 2 North tournament game Friday, March 4, 2016.
Raider Times photo / Melissa Rose
Junior Hanna and Jenna McMahon sing the nation anthem prior to Watertown’s 52-33 win over visiting Danvers in the MIAA Division 2 North tournament game Friday, March 4, 2016.

With the win, Watertown (18-3) advanced to the Division 2 North semifinals. The Raiders’ opponent will be No. 13 Triton (12-10), which beat No. 5 Swampscott in overtime Saturday afternoon.

On Friday night, the Raiders led from the opening tip, taking an 18-8 lead into the second quarter, led by Korte’s 7 first-quarter points.

The Watertown offense struggled in the second quarter, adding only 8 points to take a 26-14 lead into halftime. 

Watertown High principal Shirley Lundberg (left) gets in on the celebration after the Raiders girls' basketball team defeated visiting Danvers, 52-33, in the MIAA Division 2 North tournament on Friday, March 4, 2016.
Raider Times photo / Sarah Lampasona
Watertown High principal Shirley Lundberg (left) gets in on the celebration after the Raiders girls’ basketball team defeated visiting Danvers, 52-33, in the MIAA Division 2 North tournament on Friday, March 4, 2016.

“They went to a 1-3-1 that made our offense stagnant for a while, and we didn’t do a good job of getting to spots against that defense,’’ explained Ferdinand. “But as the game went on, we got more comfortable with that.

“We did a good job preparing all week, focusing a lot on zone offense. The kids did a good job of taking advantage of what we worked on.

“I think we had some jitters and some nerves that led to some mistakes that were kind of uncharacteristic, but it’s kind of a big stage for some kids. It was important for them to work through it, to make some mistakes, and for their teammates and coaches to pick them up.”

Despite only allowing 14 first-half points, the Raiders changed up their defense at the start of the third quarter, leaving their half-court 2-3 zone in favor of a full-court press, eventually dropping back into their 2-3.

“Using the press was slowing them down bringing the ball up, to buy time and extend them out,” Ferdinand said. “So [Danvers] had to try and run their stuff against our 2-3 with a shorter clock.” 

When the Watertown High girls' basketball team played Danvers in the Division 2 North tournament on Friday, March 4, it was the last home game for Raiders senior Michaela Antonellis.
Raider Times photo / Sarah Lampasona
When the Watertown High girls’ basketball team played Danvers in the Division 2 North tournament on Friday, March 4, it was the last home game for Raiders senior Michaela Antonellis.

The Raiders regained the momentum in the third quarter. They extended their advantage to 20, taking a 43-23 lead into the final period, when Ferdinand was able to pull his starters and give his bench some playoff minutes.

Eight minutes later, the Raiders had their first win of the postseason under their belts.

For ninth-seeded Danvers, its season ended with a 13-9 record. Watertown, on the other hand, moved one step closer to defending its North sectional title. But to make a really special run, to get all the way to the state championship game in Springfield, the Raiders will need to get better with the little things.

“I think we need to work on patience and decision-making, communication, people showing up to the ball better,” said Ferdinand. “Sometimes basketball is a matter of one or two steps, so we can’t get lackadaisical. We have to work hard the whole way, offensively and defensively.”

The Watertown High girls' basketball team liked what it saw in a 52-33 victory over visiting Danvers in the MIAA Division 2 North tournament on Friday, March 4, 2016.
Raider Times photo / Sarah Lampasona
The Watertown High girls’ basketball team liked what it saw in a 52-33 victory over visiting Danvers in the MIAA Division 2 North tournament on Friday, March 4, 2016.

–March 4, 2016–