By Kevin O'Malley
FITCHBURG -- The Wachsusett Mountaineers girls' basketball team strengthened its hold on first place in the Mid/Wach A with a 55-45 win over the Fitchburg Red Raiders at the Academy Street Brickyard Monday evening.
"This is an excellent win for us. They are a tough team to beat, especially here," commented Wachusett coach Jim Gately following the win. "Our kids just did a really good job. Everybody chipped in and did their job."
Wachusett took an early lead, 12-4. The Red Raiders had problems maintaining possession of the ball and keeping Wachusett off the boards. Fitchburg also failed to convert on four chances from the free throw line in the first four minutes. The Raiders finished the game just one of 10 from the stripe. Wachusett continued to pull away as the Red Raiders couldn't get anyuthing to fall over the Mountaineer's 2-3 zone. Wachusett on the other hand, looked to get the ball inside to Jess Morgan or let Tracy Munzner work her magic with the ball.
Morgan contributed seven points from the low post in the first half, filling in for Kim Gilbert who took to the bench with three fouls just five minutes into the action. Munzner torched the Fitchburg defense for 10 points in the first half, driving the lane, hitting the jumper and putting rebounds up and in.
"She played junior varsity for us last year," explained Gately, "but on numerous nights she has been our most valuable player. She does it all. She can shoot, go to the hoop and she plays great defense. She is one of our better players."
Muzner and Morgan each finished with 14 points to lead the Mountaineers offensive attack. Sara Thomas led Fitchburg with 14 points while Shelly Richard added nine and Alicia Gauvin and Krisy Pappas each contributed eight.
After holding a seven-point edge at the half, Wachusett let Fitchburg back into the game in the opening moments of the second half, settling for the first shot on offense and not getting back on defense.
Gauvin was the main spark for Fitchburg, scoring six of her points to lead the Red Raiders back to witin five, 36-31, five minutes into the half. Gauvin was forced to leave the game in the first half with a bloody nose after taking an elbo to the face under the board. Gauvin's return to action sparked the Red Raiders defensive intensity, leading the hosts back into the game.
For the next four minutes, Wachusett's lead seesawed between four and six points until Steph Aubin and Sara Billings drained back-to-back three pointers for the Mountaineers to push the lead back to 10, 47-37. "They don't match up to us man- to-man very well so after those big three pointers we went for it." explained Gately. "We are bigger than them and our big players are good players."
Monday's game was the first of four straight road games for WAchusett. Tonight the Mountaineers (12-4, 7-1 in Mid/Wach A) travel to Shrewsbury, Friday they tangle with the Scarlet Hawks of Milford and next Tuesday they visit Marlboro.
Fitchburg returns to action Thursday, entertaining North Middlesex Regional.