KP Girls Basketball Defeated By Medway

The King Philip girls’ basketball team played a very competitive game against the Medway Stallions in the first, third, and fourth quarters.

It was the second quarter, where the Warriors only scored three points off of three free throws, that was the issue.

Despite a high-scoring second half and a close first quarter, the Warriors (3-3) fell to the Medway Stallions (2-3) 55-49 in the opening round of the Medway Holiday Showdown.

From the opening moments, it was apparent that defense was going to be important. From KP pressuring Medway at every opportunity to Medway’s tight defense around the paint and low post, points were hard to come by early on.

KP’s Erin Fennessy tried to get around this by drawing fouls near the basket. The senior captain was 5-8 from the line in the first half alone and 9-13 overall.

“[Fennessy's] really good about reading her defender and knowing when to drive,” KP head coach Megan Barry said.

After a first quarter that saw the Warriors trailing 11-8, the Stallions were successful in not giving up a field goal in the second quarter. With KP’s hesitation to shoot away from the basket, the Stallions clogged up the paint and made life miserable for the Warriors.

“We do enjoy shooting outside, but what I’m trying to get the girls to do is choose higher-percentage shots,” Barry explained.

A lack of production allowed the Stallions to end the half with a 10-1 run to lead 21-11 at the half.

The Warriors tried to fight back with a third quarter that saw them score more points than then did in the entire second half but the Stallions were able to stick with King Philip nearly bucket for bucket to maintain an eight point lead after three quarters of play.

The fourth quarter was more of the same, as both teams exchanged baskets to cause minimal change in the lead. Fennessy and Ashley Johnson both hit big three pointers to keep the Warriors in the game but as the clock neared zero, it was Kayla Corshia who protected the lead for the Stallions with three big trips to the line with less than a minute to play.

While inconsistent at times, the Warriors showed they had the ability to make shots when they needed to. The team that showed up in the second half showed little resemblance to the team in the first half.

“The girls never gave up. They never stopped fighting and I’m very very proud of that,” Barry said. 

Erin Fennessy was the leading scorer for the Warriors with 20 points. Fennessy was also the leading rebounder for the Warriors with eight boards. Katie Brennan had eight points for the Warriors.

The loss sends King Philip to the consolation game against future Hockomock League member Milford. The Hawks lost to the Walpole Rebels in the opening round. The second half alone made Barry optimistic enough that the Warriors can have a good game against the 1-4 Hawks.

“I’m excited to take our second half and transition it into the game tomorrow night against Milford,” Barry said.

Tip off will be at 6pm on December 29 at Medway High School.